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Erectile dysfunction
- Common and treatable
- Comprehensive care from lifestyle and medications to specialist procedures
- Confidential, multidisciplinary support focused on you
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ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
Erectile dysfunction (ED), sometimes called impotence, is a complex condition, and our rapid-access ED clinic is led by consultant urologists and psychosexual specialists. They’ll conduct comprehensive blood and cardiovascular diagnostic tests and suggest treatments which could embrace lifestyle changes, medications, devices, therapy or surgery.
We offer specialist emotional support via our counselling team and our expert andrologists are here for you with dedicated expertise and experience in male reproductive and sexual health and urological conditions.
When you have erectile dysfunction, you can’t get an erection or keep one for long enough to have sex. It’s very common, especially in older men but it can cause a lot of stress and worry, having a big impact on your emotional and mental health.
It can put a strain on relationships too and many men feel embarrassed, ashamed or low about themselves. It’s thought that around half of men aged 40 to 70 experience some degree of ED and lots of younger men get it too.
It can put a strain on relationships too and many men feel embarrassed, ashamed or low about themselves. It’s thought that around half of men aged 40 to 70 experience some degree of ED and lots of younger men get it too.
There are lots of different causes of erectile dysfunction. These can be physical or psychological, or you may have a mixture of both. It can often be a sign of other health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, so it’s important that you seek professional help.
With cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and peripheral arterial diseases, you get a build-up of fatty deposits in your arteries, called atherosclerosis. This can lead to your arteries becoming blocked. If the blocked blood vessels are carrying blood to your penis, you can have difficulties getting an erection. Therefore, your consultant may suggest that you see a cardiologist for further assessment.
ED could also be a sign that you have another condition that affects your nerves and blood vessels such as:
With cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and peripheral arterial diseases, you get a build-up of fatty deposits in your arteries, called atherosclerosis. This can lead to your arteries becoming blocked. If the blocked blood vessels are carrying blood to your penis, you can have difficulties getting an erection. Therefore, your consultant may suggest that you see a cardiologist for further assessment.
ED could also be a sign that you have another condition that affects your nerves and blood vessels such as:
- Diabetes
- Parkinson’s disease, stroke and multiple sclerosis
- Hormonal problems
- Damage from surgery or radiotherapy in your pelvis
Psychological causes of ED can include:
Therapy can help get to the root cause of your challenges and may help alongside other clinical approaches.
- Feeling stressed or anxious
- Having relationship problems
- Not feeling aroused
- Depression, or other mental health problems
Therapy can help get to the root cause of your challenges and may help alongside other clinical approaches.
35,000+
outpatient urology visits across HCA UK in 2024
11,000+
urology specific ultrasounds carried out in 2024
100+
urology consultants to choose from for your care
Next-day appointments
See a leading urologist and get on the path to an expert diagnosis within 24 hours
State-of-the-art diagnostics
With results in as little as 48 hours
Wide-reaching expertise across the UK
Choose from 9 hospitals and 4 diagnostic centres in London, Birmingham and Manchester
Are you worried about impotence?
Book a same or next day GP appointment.
Have a referral letter and need to book?
Simply book a test, scan or treatment directly today.
Unsure of a diagnosis and need some answers?
Talk to a consultant and get the reassurance you need.
ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION TESTS AND SCANS AT HCA UK
A range of tests and scans
Most men experience impotence from time to time. But if you regularly have problems getting or sustaining an erection, you should get it checked out with a specialist. As well as helping to address sexual problems, your doctor will check for related issues such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. They’ll talk to you about your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle and sexual relationships and may ask you to complete a questionnaire to find out more about the difficulties you’re having.
As part of their assessment, your consultant may also:
As part of their assessment, your consultant may also:
- Check your blood pressure, heart rate, weight and waist measurements
- Examine your genitals for signs of a physical difference
- Suggest a digital rectal examination to check for prostate problems
- Arrange blood tests to check for diabetes, high cholesterol and hormone levels
- Conduct a cardiovascular assessment to identify any underlying vascular disease
- Do a psychosexual evaluation exploring anxiety, depression and your relationship
- Suggest more specialist tests
ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION TREATMENTS AT HCA UK
Thoughtful, effective treatment
There are many effective treatments for ED, and your consultant will advise what’s best for you. That may include lifestyle changes such as getting regular exercise, reducing your alcohol intake or giving up smoking. They’ll also review any medication you’re taking for other conditions to see if that’s a contributing factor. You might be prescribed PDE5 inhibitors such as Viagra or be referred to specialist to discuss Hormone Replacement Therapy if your ED is due to a hormone problem.
If your erectile dysfunction is linked to psychological problems, your doctor may suggest counselling, psychotherapy or sex therapy.
Our urology specialists also offer a range of specialist and surgical treatments if other approaches haven’t worked, including:
- Vacuum erection devices, penile injections and medicated urethral systems (MUSE)
- Vascular penile surgery and penile implants for refractory cases
- Shockwave therapy
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Erectile dysfunction FAQ
While erectile dysfunction is more common in older men, it’s not an inevitable part of aging. Men can suffer from ED at any age, and it can be caused by a wide variety of factors including lifestyle choices, physical problems and psychological issues. It can also be a sign of other conditions including diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
If you’re experiencing ED symptoms regularly, it’s important to get checked out by a specialist.
If you’re experiencing ED symptoms regularly, it’s important to get checked out by a specialist.
These are medicines which increase blood flow to your penis and your consultant may prescribe them to help alleviate erectile dysfunction. Commonly prescribed PDE5 inhibitors include:
- Sildenafil (Viagra)
- Tadalafil (Cialis)
- Vardenafil (Levitra)
- Avanafil (Spedra)
Choosing the most effective treatment for your ED will depend on what’s causing it. Your specialist will make a detailed diagnosis and suggest a personalised treatment pathway. That may well be what we call a ‘multi-modal’ treatment approach, incorporating a range of approaches from medication to therapy and surgery.
Everyone is different so how long it takes to see a change will depend on what’s causing your impotence. It could be as simple as changing your medications or as complex as treating an underlaying heart issue.
Your consultant will clearly explain your own diagnosis and give you a good idea of what to expect.
Your consultant will clearly explain your own diagnosis and give you a good idea of what to expect.
Yes, it can be. Our team of dedicated counsellors specialises in male sexual health and the common issues, such as anxiety, that affect it. They can work together with you in an open but discrete way to get to the root of your challenges and suggest effective ways forward.
“Mr. Muneer is a great doctor he really knows his stuff and explained everything to us before the procedure. Such a great experience and I just want to thank him for all his help.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.