Erectile dysfunction (ED) refers to difficulty in achieving or maintaining an erection. Speaking with a urologist can help patients understand possible causes and discuss management options. Preparing for your appointment can make the consultation more effective and ensure that important details are covered. Bringing information about your medical history, current medications, lifestyle factors, and symptoms can assist the urologist in assessing your situation. Having questions prepared also helps you leave the appointment with clear information about the next steps.
What Health Information Should You Bring?
It is helpful to bring details of your medical background, including any current health conditions and previous treatments. A written list of medications, vitamins, or supplements is also important, as some may affect erectile function. If you have results from recent blood tests, scans, or reports from other specialists, bringing copies can also make the appointment more effective. Having these details prepared means you won’t need to rely on memory and ensures the urologist has the information needed to assess your situation.
What Lifestyle Factors May Be Relevant?
Lifestyle choices can play a role in erectile function, so it is useful to think about habits that may be discussed during the appointment. These can include smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity levels, diet, sleep quality, and stress. Providing honest and accurate details helps the urologist understand whether any of these factors may contribute to your symptoms. Even small details, such as changes in weight or daily routine, can give useful background information.
What Symptoms Should You Record?
Before the consultation, it may help to keep track of your symptoms in a notebook or on your phone. Recording when the symptoms occur, how often they happen, and whether they are different in certain situations gives a clearer picture of your experience. You might also note if the problem started suddenly or developed gradually. Bringing these details to the appointment makes it easier to explain your concerns and helps guide the discussion more effectively.
What Questions Could You Ask?
Having questions prepared ensures you leave the appointment with the information you need. You may want to ask about possible causes of ED, whether tests are recommended, and what management options are available. Some patients also ask about the benefits and risks of each option, and what the next steps will involve. Writing your questions down beforehand reduces the chance of forgetting something important during the consultation.
Should You Bring Your Partner?
Some patients choose to bring their partner to the consultation, while others prefer to attend alone. Having your partner present can provide support, and it also allows both of you to hear the same information and ask questions together. This may be useful if ED has affected your relationship or if treatment choices could involve both partners. Whether you decide to bring your partner is entirely up to you, but it can make discussions feel more open and collaborative.
What Happens During the Appointment?
During the consultation, the urologist will review your medical history, ask questions about your symptoms, and may recommend tests to look into possible causes. These could include blood tests, urine tests, or imaging if needed. The appointment is also an opportunity for you to ask your questions and discuss available options. Understanding that the appointment is mainly about sharing information and planning what to do next can make it easier to manage.
How Can You Prepare Emotionally?
It is common to feel hesitant about discussing erectile dysfunction, but remember that urologists manage this condition regularly. The appointment is a private and professional setting, and the goal is to help you find answers. Preparing by writing down how you want to describe your symptoms, or practising what you’d like to say, can make the discussion easier. If you feel nervous, bringing notes or a support person can also help you feel more at ease when explaining your concerns.
Why Choose Sydney Urologist Dr Katelaris for Erectile Dysfunction Diagnosis & Treatments
Dr Phillip Katelaris is a Sydney urologist and urological surgeon with extensive training in Australia and overseas, including postgraduate surgical training in Germany and robotic surgery training in the United States. He consults across Sydney and North Shore, with clinics in Hornsby, Castle Hill, and St Leonards, and performs procedures at Sydney Adventist Hospital.
At Katelaris Urology, patients are given clear information about what to expect before, during, and after an erectile dysfunction procedure. Dr Katelaris provides guidance on medical tests that may be required beforehand, as well as instructions on preparation, such as medication adjustments or arranging support at home after surgery. This ensures patients know what steps they need to take in advance to be ready for their procedure.
Recovery is also explained, covering how long healing may take, which activities may need to be limited, and when follow-up visits are scheduled. Patients are given practical details so they can plan ahead for this stage. This makes it easier to understand what to expect after the procedure.
Further reading about erectile dysfunction with Dr Katelaris:
- Read the main KU erectile dysfunction (ED) page
- KU blog: What are the main reasons to visit a urologist?
- KU blog: How vitamins can help treat erectile dysfunction?
- KU blog: The psychology behind it all: A guide to erectile dysfunction
- KU blog: What is erectile dysfunction (ED)?
- KU blog: Can smoking cigarettes cause impotence?
- KU blog: Turning nine erectile dysfunction myths into facts
- KU blog: What’s new and what’s next in the ED treatment?
- KU blog: Is urologist the right doctor for erectile dysfunction?
Medical references about erectile dysfunction:
