Do I need to see a specialist for erectile dysfunction?
You don't necessarily need to see a specialist initially; your GP can provide an assessment and start treatment with oral medication. However, you should be referred to a specialist if you're a young man with lifelong erectile difficulties, have a history of pelvic or genital trauma, don't respond to at least two different oral medications, or have contraindications to standard treatments. Specialist services include urologists, sexual health clinics, and sexual problems clinics, depending on whether the underlying cause is physical or psychological.
Key points:
- Your GP is typically your first point of contact and can assess you and prescribe initial treatment
- Referral to secondary care is recommended if oral medications fail or specific risk factors are present
- Sexual health clinics offer the same treatments as GPs and often have shorter waiting times than hospital services
- Specialists may be needed for complex cases, psychological causes, or advanced treatments like penile implants
This text has been fact-checked for accuracy by Sorin Romaniuc, Pharmacist at medino.