Erection

[stanbesida]

my friend was unable to get an erection so he went to see his doctor and he was given some viagra. I was speaking to him a couple of days ago, and he said that he had taken a viagra an hour before getting intimate with his wife, but he was still unable to get an erection. I suggested a few things that he could try but none of these have worked and what worries him most is that he thought the viagra would have sorted his problem and he is now thinking that he won't be able to have sex any more.

[Prudie]

I'd suggest he goes back to the doc and explains that the viagra doesn't work. That would give the GP a good pointer to looking for another cause.
I'm guessing this but it makes logical sense, there are several reasons for not getting an erection I believe.

[Sqad]

Well, how old is "your friend" and is he on BP tablets or any other medication. is there anything significant in his medical history e.g diabetes or heart disease?
Viagra doesn't work for everyone.......your "friend" may not be able to have penetrative sex any more...........but one can have fun without penetration.

[Buenchico]

Possible treatments here:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Erectile-dysfunction/Pages/Treatment.aspx
but, as Prudie says, it's important that he goes back to his GP. (Viagra works in around 70% of cases but that still means that there are around 30% of cases when it doesn't. So the GP won't be particularly surprised to see your friend back again and he'll almost certainly have other suggestions to resolve the problem).

[gness]

Stan.....Viagra is not the only solution.....good and easy if it works....but there are other options after a talk with his doctor.....x

[tinkerbell23]

Plenty more options- back to the doc x

[Sqad]

One big problem with the management of impotence in the UK is that generally speaking, it is not taken seriously and the majority of doctors are ill trained and do not have the expertise or time to deal with it in a professional way.
This is not the case in many European countries and especially in the U.S.A.

If medication by Viagra or it's derivatives doesn't work, then treatment usually comes to a halt.

The link by Buenchico 20.05 gives a comprehensive but basically academic approach to the problem, one designed to give a candidate 100% in an examination, but not a practical assessment of what is available in the UK.

Sexology has never taken off in the UK.

The professional management of impotence is only available in the UK in the private sector (no pun intended) and even so, in areas where Urologists have a particular interest in impotence.

Patients must not be drawn into unrealistic expectations in the management of impotence.

My advice is to your "friend" is to make inquiries about clinics that deal with such matters, outside of the NHS.

[tinkerbell23]

Sqad i am an NHS nurse & have saw many penile pump operations - or rather nursed them post op x

[Sqad]

Tinkerbell.......I am not saying that one cannot get procedures on the NHS I am saying that there are strict conditions attached.
Pump procedures as you know are used when all other methids have failed and that the patient agrees to such a procedure........they are "last resort" measures, uncommon except for specialised units.

My point being that well before one reaches the stage of surgery, one would get better advice, more time and options in the private sector of the NHS.

[gness]

Stan......one thing I should have said.....whichever route your friend takes, NHS or private......suggest he takes his wife to the appointment if he hasn't already done so.....
Seems to work better that way and it is a problem for the couple, not only for him......x

[stanbesida]

Many thanks for all your comments, in reply to Sqad, I think that he is around 67/68, I'm going to take my laptop with me and let him read all your very kind advice

[gness]

Welcome, Stan.....there is help out there.....many options other than Viagra. I hope he and his wife find the one that's appropriate for them.....Gx