How to choose an ED provider: what good care looks like

Good care starts with your whole health

ED is not just about the bedroom. It can be a sign of another health problem, like clogged blood vessels, high blood pressure, diabetes, or low testosterone. A good provider looks at the whole picture, not just the symptom.

Your first visit should include a real conversation about your health. Expect questions about your medicines, supplements, alcohol and tobacco use, stress, and your sex life. A physical exam and blood tests may be part of it too. These steps help find the cause and can catch problems early.

What quality ED care includes

Use this list when you compare providers. Good care usually checks most of these boxes:

• A thorough history and exam: in person or through a detailed visit, with questions about your health, medicines and habits
• Checks when they make sense: blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, hormones and heart health, because ED can be an early warning sign
• All the options explained: lifestyle changes, counseling, pills, vacuum devices, injections, medicine placed in the urethra, and implants, with the pros and cons of each
• Honest talk about newer therapies: if a newer treatment comes up, a clear explanation of what the research does and doesn’t show
• Clear costs up front: what the visit, tests and treatment will cost, in writing, before you start
• A plan B: follow-up visits, and a next step if the first option doesn’t work for you
• Privacy and respect: your information kept private, and no judgment
• Licensed clinicians: a doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant who is licensed to practice in Louisiana

Red flags to watch for

Most providers want to help. But a few warning signs mean you should slow down and ask more questions, or look elsewhere:

• Promises: words like guaranteed, permanent cure, or 100% results
• Pressure to prepay: being pushed to pay for a large package of visits or treatments on the first day
• No exam or history: treatment offered before anyone asks about your health
• No talk about your heart: blood pressure, blood sugar and heart health never come up
• Only one option: every patient gets the same treatment, no matter the cause
• Vague costs: no clear answer about what you will pay

Questions to ask before your first visit

It’s fair to ask these on the phone or at check-in. A good office will be glad to answer.

• Who will I see, and what is their license and training?
• Will you review my health history and do an exam or blood tests?
• Which treatment options do you offer, and which do you refer out?
• What will my first visit cost, and can I get treatment costs in writing?
• Do you take my insurance?
• What happens if the first treatment doesn’t work?
• How do you protect my privacy?

Types of providers who treat ED

You have more than one place to start. The right fit depends on your health, your budget and your comfort level.

• Primary care doctor: a good first stop. They know your history and can check for heart disease, diabetes and other causes.
• Urologist: a specialist in the urinary tract and male reproductive organs. Urologists commonly diagnose ED, and they can talk with you about every option, including surgery.
• Men’s health clinic: focuses on issues like ED and hormones. Use the checklist above to judge quality.
• Community health center: offers primary care, and what you pay depends on your income.
• VA health care: if you are a veteran enrolled in VA care, you can raise ED with your VA provider.

Taking the next step

If you’re not sure where to begin, talk to a doctor you already see. It can feel awkward, but they hear about ED often, and telling them is the first step to getting real answers. Many men find a treatment that works for them, and pills work well for many men.

If you live in the area, our guide on how to find ED care in New Orleans and Metairie can help you take that next step.

Free printable: download the ED doctor visit checklist (PDF) and bring it to your appointment.

Common questions

What kind of doctor should I see for erectile dysfunction?

A primary care doctor is a good place to start, since they can check for causes like heart disease, diabetes or medicine side effects. A urologist is the specialist who most often diagnoses and treats ED.

Will my doctor need to examine me for ED?

Usually, yes. A provider will ask about your health and medicines, may do a physical exam, and may order blood tests to look for causes such as hormone or blood vessel problems.

Is it safe to get ED medicine online without seeing a doctor?

Talk with a health care professional before ordering ED medicines online. ED medicines can interact with other medicines and supplements, and ED itself can be a sign of another health problem.

What are the warning signs of a bad ED clinic?

Be careful with promises of a guaranteed or permanent cure, pressure to prepay for a large package, and treatment offered without a health history or exam. Good care explains all your options and costs up front.

Ready for next steps? Read how to find ED care in New Orleans and Metairie, including what a good first visit looks like and the questions worth asking.

Not sure where to start? We list trusted places to get checked in Louisiana, from community health centers to men’s health clinics. See where to get care.

Sources

• NIDDK: Diagnosis of Erectile Dysfunction
• NIDDK: Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction
• NIDDK: Symptoms and Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
• MedlinePlus: Erectile Dysfunction
• HealthCare.gov: Community Health Centers