Erectile dysfunction (ED), sometimes referred to as impotence, is one of the most common sexual health concerns affecting men and can occur at any age. Although many men feel embarrassed to discuss it, ED is often highly treatable and should not simply be accepted as a normal part of ageing. In some cases, it may be an early sign of an underlying medical condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or cardiovascular disease, making proper assessment particularly important.
A comprehensive assessment should look beyond the erection problem itself. Erectile dysfunction can result from physical causes, psychological factors such as stress, anxiety or low mood, or a combination of both. At Northwell Medical, patients are assessed by experienced Consultants in sexual health, not through online questionnaires or automated prescribing services. This allows us to identify any underlying medical or psychosexual issues and recommend the most appropriate treatment for each individual.
Effective treatments are available for the vast majority of men and may include lifestyle changes, management of underlying health conditions, oral medications such as sildenafil or tadalafil, and psychosexual support where needed. The key is ensuring that treatment is tailored to the cause of the problem rather than simply providing medication without a proper diagnosis.
Many men also ask about testosterone. While low testosterone can contribute to sexual symptoms in some cases, it is increasingly being over-promoted by online testing and treatment providers. Testosterone replacement is not appropriate for most men with erectile dysfunction and can carry significant risks when prescribed unnecessarily, particularly in younger men, including infertility and suppression of the body’s natural hormone production. Expert assessment is therefore essential to determine whether hormone testing or treatment is genuinely required. At Northwell Medical, our consultant-led approach ensures patients receive evidence-based advice and access to safe, effective treatment.