CALL US: 0207 101 3456
london mens clinic health hub

Health Hub

Our medical experts provides answer to your questions!

Ask the experts

Here you will find some questions and answers from patients.

Unable to keep an erection.

I can get an erection but then I can't keep it. I really don’t want to go to the doctor to discuss with anyone as I'm too embarrassed, but I need to find a solution. Please help (Mike).

Dear Mike,

Thank you for your question.

Please note that ED is a very common medical issue in men. Many men find it embarrassing to talk about this matter. ED can have a significant mental impact on men and can affect their perception of manliness as it can affect their fertility and intimacy with their partner. While these conversations can be very uncomfortable, it is vital that you visit a specialist healthcare professional to address this matter. ED may be a sign of other underlying health issue such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, hormonal imbalances, therefore, being diagnosed at an early stage can be life changing and in some cases life saving.

Mr Hussain Alnajjar

Taking longer than normal to get an erection.

I have never really had any problems with erections but recently I've started to notice that it takes me much longer to get an erection and it is now playing on mind which then makes it even more difficult. I'm still quite young and always thought ED happened in older men? What can I do? The obvious option seems to be viagra, but are there any other solutions that 'cure' the problem so that I won't have to rely on viagra? Steve.
 

Dear Steve,

Thank you for your question.

ED is a common medical condition. There are many possible causes for it such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, drugs, obesity, hormonal imbalance and psychogenic ED which is more common in younger men. Although, the first line treatment is PDE5 inhibitors (e.g. Viagra/ Cialis). It is crucial to see a specialist for an appropriate diagnosis and management of the condition, additionally it is very important to rule out any serious underlying medical condition which may be the cause for ED.

Mr Hussain Alnajjar

Seeking advice for my partner.

My partner has been finding it harder and harder to get an erection over the last year or so, he says its his age 50 is this the case? He absolutely wont go to a doctor and its hard enough getting him to talk to me about it as he wont recognise that there may be a problem. I have no idea what to do next, any advice would be really welcome thank you.
 
Thank you for the question.

ED can affect men at any age, however, it is more common in men above the age of 40. It is not normal for a man to have ED and it is important to see a specialist to check for any underlying causes e.g. cardiovascular disease. Although, it can be embarrassing for some men to talk about ED with their partners or doctor, it is a very common condition and it is crucial for men to seek help at an early stage. Any potential underlying health issue can be readily diagnosed and treated. It is also important to note that ED can be easily treated and managed.
 

Mr Hussain Alnajjar

Is ED linked with heart problems / diabetes?

I have read that ED is linked to heart problems and diabetes. Is this true? If so, will I be tested for these conditions when I visit my doctor? Thanks (Peter)
 

Thank you for the question.

Yes this is true. ED can be an early sign of cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
Yes, all patients with ED will be tested for diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure, Testosterone (male hormone) levels and thyroid function tests.

Mr Hussain Alnajjar

Healthy lifestyle changes to help ED.

If I live more healthily, will my ED get better? To what extent will this help? Thank you.
 

Thank you for your question.

The answer is yes. It is crucial to have a healthy lifestyle and diet. Regular aerobic exercise (150 minutes) per week, Mediterranean diet, smoking cessation, maintaining a healthy weight, ensuring normal blood pressure, normal LDL (bad) cholesterol and blood glucose levels are all important factors in preventing ED and cardiovascular disease. There have been many research studies to date showing the correlation between the aforementioned healthy lifestyle changes and maintaining normal erectile function.

Mr Hussain Alnajjar

Fertility.

I want to start a family but I'm worried I might not be able to. What shall I do? Does ED effect fertility?
 

Thank you for the question.

ED can be a cause of infertility. In order to be able to conceive successfully, it is important to have normal erectile function, as the sperm requires to swim through the female reproductive tract (vagina/cervix/ uterus/fallopian tubes) to meet an ovum (egg) for a successful fertilisation. If you are concerned about ED or your fertility status, it is important to see an andrologist with expertise in ED/fertility.

Mr Hussain Alnajjar

ED hereditary?

Does ED run in families?

Dear patient,

Although, ED itself does not run in families, however, Ischaemic heart disease or cardiovascular disease which is one of the major causes of ED can be hereditary. Therefore, if one has family history of ischaemic heart disease and develops ED it is highly recommended to seek medical help at an early stage to rule out any cardiovascular disease.

Mr Hussain Alnajjar

Do you have a question?

If you have a question that you would like answering by our experts please submit this here and we will publish the answer for you as soon as possible.