What to Tell your Erectile Dysfunction Doctor (And what not to)
Let’s face it; talking about erections can feel awkward. However, to get help, you need to have a clear, and honest chat with your erectile dysfunction doctor.
The thing is; when you arrive at your appointment, your doctor needs facts. From what’s happening, to how often, and how it affects your life.
You might worry about judgement or feel embarrassed, but sharing key details is the key to the right tests and treatments. So, what should you tell your ED doctor and what should you not tell them? Keep reading to find out.
What does Erectile Dysfunction Doctor Ask?
First things, first; a bit of prep will help you get more from your time with your erectile dysfunction doctor. Instead of scrambling to remember dates or symptoms, proper preparation will help you talk clearly.
To prepare for an appointment with an erectile dysfunction doctor, simply gather basic info like when symptoms began, how often they occur, and any possible triggers. Think about your medical history—diabetes, heart issues or surgery can all affect erections.
If you jot these down beforehand, you won’t forget as you sit in the clinic. At the clinic, your erectile dysfunction doctor will guide the discussion with key questions. Expect to cover:
- Symptom Details
Your doctor will ask when you first noticed changes, how long they last and how often they occur. Try to give very clear answers to help the doctor spot patterns from occasional stress to consistent issues.
Explain when you first experienced difficulty. Note if issues began suddenly after an event—illness, injury or new medication—or crept in slowly over months.
A precise timeline will not only help your doctor link causes, such as stress peaks or health changes, to your symptoms. It will also guide whether to order quick tests or deeper assessments.
- Medical History
Conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure increase the risk of erectile dysfunction. Operations, injuries or past treatments may also influence your risks.
So, give honest details to help your doctor rule out causes. Describe how often you get erections, whether you can maintain them and if firmness meets your needs.
For example, you might have morning erections but lose firmness during intercourse. Explaining severity tells your doctor whether to look for mild circulation issues or more serious nerve or hormonal problems.
- Medications and supplements
Some drugs for blood pressure, depression or prostate problems can cause ED. Supplements and herbal remedies can also increase your risks of this condition. So, we recommend revealing a full list of prescription drugs, over-the-counter pills and any supplements you’re using.
Create this list before visiting the facility. Some blood pressure medicines, antidepressants and prostate treatments directly affect erection quality.
Even herbal remedies can interact and worsen ED. When you list everything, your doctor can adjust doses or suggest alternatives.
- Lifestyle factors
To get to the root cause of your problems, a good erectile dysfunction doctor will also ask about your lifestyle. This is important because habits like smoking, drinking and exercise levels affect blood flow and hormone balance.
Discuss your daily habits so your doctor can advise tweaks for better results. Be open about smoking, alcohol, diet and exercise.
A sedentary lifestyle also harms circulation. Honest habits will allow your doctor to recommend lifestyle changes that boost treatment success.
- Psychological factors
As for psychological factors, your ED doctor will want to know about stress, anxiety or relationship issues. These factors often worsen ED and your doctor may want to know how you feel about sex and any worries you carry.
So, share if you feel anxious about performance, stressed at work or tense with your partner. Mental health and relationship dynamics play a big role in ED and your doctor may refer you for counselling or sex therapy alongside physical treatments
What not to Tell Your ED Doctor
As for what not to tell your erectile dysfunction doctor, you will want to avoid sharing details that cloud the real issues or distract from effective care. Focus on facts, not assumptions. That said, here is what not to tell your ED doctor:
- Self-diagnosed causes without evidence: Saying things like “I read online it’s my testosterone” may mislead your doctor. Let them test and confirm hormone levels instead. This ensures you receive treatment that matches your actual condition, not just what you suspect.
- Complete downplaying of symptoms: Saying “It’s no big deal” when you struggle regularly underestimates the problem. Your doctor needs an honest sense of severity—even if it feels embarrassing. You do not want to underplay symptoms as this can delay proper tests and treatments.
- Expectations of instant cures: Avoid promises like “I want my erections back tomorrow.” Most treatments need time to work—weeks or months. Unrealistic timelines set you up for frustration. Instead, ask what typical recovery looks like so you know what to expect.
- Irrelevant personal anecdotes: Long stories about past relationships or one-off mishaps distract from your current health. Stay focused on patterns in your erection function, timing and triggers. This keeps your appointment efficient and goal-oriented.
Having your own questions shows you’re engaged in your care. So, you may wonder, what questions to ask ED doctor?
The answer is; you should ask anything that bothers you. If you are not sur where to begin, here is a quick list you may want to start with;
- “What tests will you run and why?”
- “How long before I notice results from treatment?”
- “Are there side effects to these medications?”
- “Should I make lifestyle changes now, and which ones matter most?”
- “Do you recommend counselling or sex therapy along with medical care?”
Write these down beforehand to ensure you don’t forget them under pressure. Your doctor’s answers will help you understand each step from tests and treatments to realistic timelines.
In Closing
A visit to your erectile dysfunction doctor can transform embarrassment into a real confidence boost. Once at the facility, work together with your doctor to identify root causes, whether they lie in circulation, hormones or stress.
Treatment may include medication, therapy, lifestyle tweaks or a mix of approaches. Keep in mind that ED is common and treatable. The most important thing is to take that first step to talk openly about the condition.
If you’re in Singapore and ready to take the next step, our doors are always open. Get in touch to book your appointment with our erectile dysfunction specialist today for a clear diagnosis, personalised treatment options and compassionate support to restore your confidence. Call or visit us at;
Allen Sim Urology
G-051-054, REGENCY MEDICAL CARE CENTRE, Mid Valley, The Mall, Southkey, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Phone: +60 17-523 3183
