I've just been to se my doctor about my ED problem,and was interested to read your comments.
My ED problem seems stress related, I do get an erection in the morning, and can get one on my own; sometimes I would find it difficult to get one with my girlfriend though. I've had the blood tests at the doctor's, and her response was "think back to the first time the problem happened, and tell me what the stress was". That was a couple of months back, and since I was not able to pinpoint exactly what it was that caused it, she was not willing to do much. (Well, I think that is what she said - her English is so poor)
She told me that she had read somewhere that Viagra would not help with stress so she was not allowed to prescribe it on the NHS... But she did offer to write a private prescription for it (and was going to charge me ten pounds to do so)
I asked her straight up, if it will not help why are you prepared to write a private prescription,and ifit would work why won't you prescribe it to me?
Her response to that was that perhaps I could go onto the web and buy it there, or I could buy it in France!
So my question is, is that a reasonable response from her?
If not, how do I go about doing something about that?
Hi MadFrog
It's always difficult to judge on a consultation you've not seen, but I would say that I don't think this is an acceptable outcome. The main problem seems to be the issues around ED and treatment haven't been fully explained to you.
The problem is some doctors are well trained to talk about ED and related issues, others are less well informed and find talking about psychosexual problems embarrassing or difficult. So they can either avoid talking about the problem or give advice that isn't helpful.
Your doc is right to suggest that Viagra won't help with stress (although sometimes a one off dose can give you the confidence to realise you can get an erection and continue having sex without any drugs).
Your doc is also right that they can't refer you Viagra (or a similar drug) on the NHS unless there is another cause (for example diabetes or heart disease). Even then you might have to pay for the prescription.
If you can get an erection on your own or in the morning it may be the problem is psychological, but I'd also question how often the problem happens. If occasionally you can't get/keep an erection during sex with your girlfriend then this probably isn't anything to worry about (although it is annoying). If it happens more often than not and pretty much each time you try for sex then that does need to be addressed. Guys nowadays are being told by the media and drug industry if they ever can't get an erection this is ED, and that's not right.
You may not be able to pinpoint an exact cause, but you might have an idea about what might be leading to the problem. Are you having any relationship difficulties? Problems with your health? Issues at work or with your friends/family? Anything that might be upsetting you? Even positive things that are distracting you might temporarily get in the way of getting an erection. Does the problem happen when you've had a drink or two? You don't need to know the exact cause, but a general idea of any lifestyle or health issues that might be causing the problem are worth letting the doc know about. If there aren't any problems you can pinpoint that is still useful information for them and still needs investigating.
Sometimes you can lose an erection during sex, worry about it and then it keeps happening. Stress reduction/meditation techniques can help there.
I would suggest several options for you. If you think this is a problem that needs medical attention book an appointment with another GP at the practice. Explain you haven't had adequate information from the previous doctor. They ought to offer you a full MOT to see there's no physical cause and if they think it's a psychological problem refer you to a psychosexual therapist (they are free on the NHS although there is a waiting list). You can also refer yourself to a sex therapist via the British Association for Sex and Relationship Therapy (you have to pay to see them but many therapists offer a sliding scale for costs).
Do not buy from the internet as you don't know what you're getting. That isn't good advice from the doc. You can buy as a private patient but that shouldn't happen without a full health check first and a referral to psychosexual therapy (NHS or private) to establish there isn't a psychological cause.
Not sure if this is any help, if not please reply.
That was a couple of months back, and since I was not able to pinpoint exactly what it was that caused it, she was not willing to do much. (Well, I think that is what she said - her English is so poor)
Your doctors english is poor?
Thought you might have been talking about your better half for a moment :)
Yes, I did mean my doctor!
I had a ski injury a couple of years ago, and on the insurance form, she couldn't even spell the word "ski"! I wouldn't have thought that a medical professional would have need to have been on a skiing holiday to know that you don't spell it with a 'y'...
Yes, it probably is stress related, and yes, maybe I'm making something out of something that is just "one of those things". And maybe I'm just responding to what the drug companies keep telling us, like you said.
I suppose I was just disappointed that my GP was so unhelpful. Not so much in that she did not prescribe anything, but that she was adamant that it would not help (completely overlooking the confidence-boost theory), and as I was not able to point out the "one thing" that had started it all, she was unable to offer any other sort of help or referral.
I wish there was another GP in the surgery I could visit, but she is the only one in that surgery. I have been disappointed by her professional approach in the past (I'm blind, and the first time I walked in to her surgery, the very first thing she said was that I needed to go to the eye clinic because she was not able to help - without even asking me why it was i had come to see her - nothing to do with my eyes at all!)
I should go and find a new GP, but have had problems in the past trying to do this, because other GPs in the area say they are full or won't take people who are already registered with a doctor in their area. But that's another topic...
Like I said, maybe it is not such a big problem, but I just feel that I am getting no support from my GP. Thanks for your suggestions, I'll try them out.
London Guy again, well I am now away from my wife on a work assignment and I am experiencing the same problems again - problems in getting and maintaining an erection. I am thinking maybe I should go to my doctor to get a full check up. Read a lot about it in the internet and most likely it is stres related. But I just want to be 100%. I have taken Cialis 20mg once and it was reallly goood,,,,, but if I have to take Cialis everytime than its kinda worrying, Not sure what I should do really, Any ideas plz!!!!!!!!!
