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How to bring sex issues up to a doctor?

E

enfin11

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hi all,
I have a tough question that i could really use some help with.
i've had type 1 for nine years, and while control has sometimes been pretty good, it's tended to worsen periodically.
I've had erection issues for longer than i've had diabetes (no idea as to the cause), and having had relationships go sour as a result, looking back, I would start to wonder why I was bothering, sometimes I'd start drinking again, and I would get withdrawn, sullen, paying less than scruplulous attention to my meter for weeks at a time. While I've got no retinopathy or neuropathy, my HB1AC has gone up a lot, I've gained weight and I've had bouts of severe depression. I also have testosterone issues which can't help either of the other two problems.
I've always been reluctant to talk about this, and would try alternative remedies and 'OTC' Viagra but I've decided I can't go on like this and have made up my mind to bring it up this month no matter how embarrasing. How can I best bring this up while impressing on my doctor that I'm not just angling for a Viagra prescription and really need some help to address how miserable this has made me over the years?

Are there maybe any specialists that would address this overlapping issue?
Thanks for reading.
 
Well you've just taken very a big and important first step, and it really ought not to be embarrasing for you, so forget that. You've got a health problem, end of story, and drinking too much won't address it in fact it will probably make it worse. No one on here will feel anything other than support for you.
I regret that I can't offer any specific 'cure' but others may have ideas. The only suggestion I can advance is that you print out copy of your post on here and give it to your GP and see what he/she advises.
 

Enfin, if you search the forum for erectile dysfunction you'll find a number of threads where the problem as been discussed. Those may give you ideas or the names of some fellow travelers on this path to PM.

Good luck with it all.
 
Hi Enfin
From my own experience, booze = depression. Depression can then so easily become a vicious circle that feeds on itself - who has never been down, and thought that a drink would make it feel better - but that is rarely the case. Agree with miaraha - you are not well, and your GP, being aware of your diabetic status, should not feel that you are "angling" for anything. Hope things get resolved for you.

All the best, mate.
 
It may be embarrassing to bring the subject up but depending on how old you are or how long you've had T1D, you should be being asked about ED every 12 months at your diabetes clinic with the consultant - I do and theres nothing to be embarrassed about, just think they probably ask at least 1 patient a day if they have ED*. So you see it should be a fairly regular discussion as far as they are concerned (may be not with you but certainly with many others) and once you get your head around that asking about it doesn't become such an issue?


* I have no idea if that figure is correct or not but you get what I mean.
 
Start at the beginning and just say it as it is, Gp's have seen and heard all sorts of things. Being female, we go through many embarrassing, but necessary's health procedures throughout our lives.
Try and leave the awkwardness at home and good luck.
 
Matters not if your Dr is He or She, they are professionals and have heard/seen it all before. Tell them straight that you are having erectile problems, and that it is getting you down, as in clinically depressed. They may ask you questions that you might find awkward to answer, deep breath and give the honest answer. They will help you, so help them to help you.
I experience ED from time to time, but at my time of life it doesn't have the same emotional impact that it seems to be having for you

HTH
 
When dealing with issues that I find embarrassing (and ****, there are many!), I tell the doctor "I find this really embarrassing to talk about but".. and then say what the problem is. If they know I'm finding it difficult to talk, it's somehow easier.
 
Robinredbreast said:
Start at the beginning and just say it as it is, Gp's have seen and heard all sorts of things. Being female, we go through many embarrassing, but necessary's health procedures throughout our lives.
Try and leave the awkwardness at home and good luck.
Click to expand...

^^^^ This
Having worked in health-care myself, I can assure you that Doctors and Nurses see MUCH, MUCH more disturbing things than someone simply talking about their ED. I have no doubt whatsoever, that as soon as you leave the Drs room they will not spend another second thinking about it so please, please do not let embarrassment put you off seeking advice.
 

Yes, it really takes courage to confide or admit that there's a problem but that is something that you have to get passed at, in order to truly address it. Also, don't rashly take alternative remedies you saw online or heard from your friends for example. You have to see a doctor as soon as possible because prolonging the cause may cause more serious issues in the future.

Bring in a lot of courage. There's nothing wrong to talk about it. What's more, it may relieve you from emotional burden as well. Good luck!
 
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