You’re experiencing difficulties achieving or maintaining an erection. Plays the Ghostbusters theme song, Who are you going to call?
Although there are many different kinds of doctors who can treat erectile dysfunction, you should consult an ED doctor online.
Contact a healthcare provider online or speak with your primary care physician (PCP) to begin ED treatment. Depending on what’s causing your ED, they may recommend that you see a specialist, such as a mental health professional or an endocrinologist, a physician who treats conditions related to hormones.
Read on to discover your options for treatment and how to locate the best erectile dysfunction physician for you.
Which Specialists Treat Erectile Dysfunction?
When it comes to erectile dysfunction doctors, you have plenty of options.
Erectile dysfunction can be diagnosed by general practitioners, who can also initiate treatment. They can also direct you to the appropriate specialist for additional testing or care if necessary.
Primary Care Doctors Who Treat Erectile Dysfunction
Start with your primary care physician or an online healthcare provider if you are unsure of which doctor to see for ED.
Your Primary Care Provider
Yes, the same person you see for your annual physical and other health-related issues. Men’s sexual health disorders are among the many medical topics in which your primary care physician is trained.
An Online Healthcare Provider
You can connect with a licensed healthcare provider online if you feel uncomfortable talking to a primary care physician you may have known for years or if you don’t want to leave your house (which is how we feel).
You can get ED treatment delivered right to your door and have an online conversation with a healthcare professional through telehealth platforms like ED Doctor Online.
Erectile Dysfunction Specialists: Who to Consult?
For treatment, additional testing, or follow-ups, your general practitioner might recommend that you see a specialist.
Most men don’t require more research. However, if a doctor discovers an abnormality in the penis or testes, or if you are not responding to ED treatments and are thinking about surgery, for example, then specialized testing may be required.
These are the people they could connect you with.
A Urologist
A urologist is a medical professional who focuses on treating conditions affecting the male reproductive system and urinary tract, including erectile dysfunction.
If you have a penile deformity or prostate problem in addition to erectile dysfunction, you may be referred to a urologist.
Men who have a high risk of prostate cancer or lower urinary tract symptoms in addition to erectile dysfunction should be screened for prostate cancer, according to the American Urological Association and the majority of medical guidelines. This can be done by a urologist.
Another option is to schedule an appointment with a urologist directly, either at an emergency department clinic or a urology practice, avoiding the general practitioner.
For more information, see our ED clinic guide.
An Endocrinologist
An endocrinologist focuses on disorders and ailments linked to hormones, including:
- Diabetes
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Adrenal disorders
- Obesity
- Sexual function and reproduction issues
What role does ED play in this? Diabetes and hormone deficiencies, such as hypogonadism (low testosterone), can both lead to erectile dysfunction. Actually, compared to men without diabetes, men with diabetes have a two- to three-times higher risk of developing erectile dysfunction.
Therefore, you might be referred to an endocrinologist to address the underlying cause of ED if a physician believes that uncontrolled diabetes or a hormonal deficiency is causing it.
A Cardiologist
A cardiologist focuses on disorders of the heart and blood vessels, including:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Atherosclerosis (thickening of the arteries)
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Heart disease
Since erections depend on healthy blood flow, ED and heart issues are closely related.
Heart-related conditions such as the following can lead to ED:
- High blood pressure
- Atherosclerosis
- Heart disease and blood vessel disease
Moreover, blood pressure drugs may be the cause.
You might be referred to a cardiologist who can screen you for cardiovascular disease if you’re seeing a different kind of doctor for ED.
If you’re seeing a cardiologist for what you may have assumed was an unrelated heart condition, they might even be the first to consult you about an ED issue.
A Mental Health Professional
A number of psychological and emotional problems can lead to erectile dysfunction, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fear of sexual failure
- Guilt about sexual performance or sexual activities
- Low self-esteem
- Stress (about ED or daily life)
- Relationship problems
- Psychological trauma
A mental health specialist can be of assistance in this situation. If you’re a younger man with lifelong ED or if a psychiatric disorder is causing issues in the bedroom, you may be referred to a mental health professional.
Treatment for mental health issues may be beneficial, depending on what is causing your ED. This might be medicine or counseling, like couples, sex, or talk therapy.
Learn more in our guide to psychological ED. Additionally, even if your ED isn’t caused by a psychological problem, you might still benefit from seeing a mental health professional because ED can lead to mental health problems like stress, relationship issues, and anxiety related to sexual performance.
Choosing the Right Doctor for Erectile Dysfunction Treatment
The good news is that you don’t have to choose the best erectile dysfunction doctor just yet.
Consult your primary care physician or an online healthcare provider first. They might be able to identify and treat ED without the need for additional medical professionals.
Depending on what they believe is causing your ED, they can, if necessary, refer you to the appropriate specialist, such as an endocrinologist or a mental health specialist.
When Is the Right Time to See an Erectile Dysfunction Doctor?
If you suffer from erectile dysfunction on a regular basis, you should consult an erectile dysfunction specialist.
Symptoms of ED include:
- The inability to achieve an erection
- The inability to sustain an erection
- Having an erection occasionally but not always when you want to have sex
Don’t worry if you occasionally have trouble getting or maintaining an erection; everyone has bad days, especially when they’re stressed, distracted, or not in the mood for sex.
However, if you frequently find it difficult to, well, get difficult, talk about your symptoms with a healthcare professional.
Even though discussing ED can be awkward, it is treatable, so the sooner you talk about it, the sooner you can resume your best self.
Additionally, it’s always worthwhile to have erectile dysfunction evaluated because it may indicate a serious medical condition.
For more information, see our guide on identifying erectile dysfunction.