Does A Man Have To Be Married To Get Help With Erectile Dysfunction On The NHS?

[bravejordy]

A bit of an embarrassing problem but here goes:-

I'm 58, have type 2 diabetes and suffer with Erectile Dysfunction and have done for quite a few years now. I'm not married, nor currently in a relationship with anyone and my question is: Does a man have to be married or in a long term relationship to get help with ED on the NHS?

[starone]

I wouldn't think so. You don't have to prove you are not in a relationship.

[Sqad]

No.............you don't have to be in a relationship to have sex....do you?

[Sqad]

Anyway bravejordy....it is not an embarrassing question...............what do you need to know.

[bravejordy]

Cheers Starbuckone and Sqad for your swift replies. I've been meaning to have a word with my GP about my problem (when I can pluck up the courage, that is) but I was afraid his first question would be: "Are you married?" followed by "How many times a month do you normally have sex?"

[bravejordy]

"No.............you don't have to be in a relationship to have sex....do you?"


That's what I thought, Sqad, but my GP might not be as easy going as you, but surely, regardless of my GP's personal views on the matter, married or single, gay or straight, I'm still entitled to help with ED?

Incidentally, just wondered what the normal procedure is. Presumably I'd see to my GP first, but is it a long drawn out process (i.e. first find out if it's stress that's causing the problem) before actually prescribing something to help me get an erection? Would my GP refer me to somebody else? I do see a Urologist every year over a completely unrelated matter. I'm due to see him again in May, would I be best to by-pass my GP and just mention it to him? I'm not even sure if ED would be dealt with by a Urologist? :(

[Old_Geezer]

I would hope someone's marital status would have no bearing on treatment available on the NHS. Otherwise why are they paying into the same pot but getting an inferior service ?

Oh yeah, maybe because the authorites can and do discriminate when they feel like it. But, no I don't think you will have a problem requesting help from the NHS.

[Sqad]

jordy.....good idea.......mention it to your Urologist in May. (if you can wait that long ;-)

[bravejordy]

Thanks OG and Sqad. My only concern is that I'm actually going to see the Urologist for a rectal examination (My PSA was a little high a few weeks ago and I'm to have another PSA blood test done two weeks prior to seeing him) so it may not be an ideal time to ask him about my other "issue". I'm thinking he may only wish to deal with one problem at a time. Then again, if I leave it until another time, he might ask me why I've never mentioned it before. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what the situation's like in May. If he seems to be rushed off his feet, I'll leave it until a more convenient time.

Thanks again guys, I really appreciate your advice. :)

[karenmac60]

I'm not sure about the whole relationship thing (but I don't think that's really any of the dr's business) - ED is a problem with diabetes 2 is it not? Mr mac was on dialysis which causes similar problems and he went to his gp (before we were married) and explained his problem. The dr just said something along the lines of 'yes, it's common with dialysis', checked mr mac's records and wrote out a prescription on the spot. No tests, no waiting around and no wedding ring :) There's no need to worry or be embarrassed - if you have a sympathetic gp and there are no funding issues, I don't see that it would be a problem. Good luck x

[bravejordy]

Thanks Karen, yes, I believe ED can be one of the problems of having diabetes. I've suffered with ED for about six years now, which would pretty much coincide with the time I was diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.
I'm so grateful to you and all those who have responded to my question and concerns, and instilled me with the much needed confidence and made me realise that having ED is nothing to be embarrassed about. If it wasn't for the fact that I currently have an unrelated Urinary Tract Infection (for which I'm on a course of antibiotics) I'd be phoning my doc right now to make an appointment. I know I said I'd wait and have a word with my Urologist but on seconds thoughts I suppose there'd be no harm having a word with both my GP and Urologist about it.

Thanks again. :)

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