Erectile disorder: consult a doctor by instant messaging

What is erectile dysfunction?

Although still a taboo subject, erectile dysfunction affects a large proportion of the male population. While it most often appears after the age of 40, all age groups are affected, and younger men also experience erection problems. There are solutions and treatments available to ease these difficulties.

What are the symptoms of erectile dysfunction?

Erection problems, erectile issues and male impotence are all synonyms used to describe erectile dysfunction. Erection problems refer to a recurrent or persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse. Often a source of distress, shame and sometimes depression, this condition can affect the lives of many couples. Symptoms show up as an inability to get an erection or as a decline in the quality of erections. Several factors can contribute to erection problems. There are physical, psychological and environmental causes. For example, taking certain substances — recreational drugs, alcohol, tobacco or medication — can reduce the quality of a man's erection. Some medications prescribed for psychiatric or hormonal conditions, high blood pressure or cholesterol can cause dysfunctions such as impotence. Age and physical fitness also have a real effect on erection problems. Indeed, after 50 or 60, erection problems become more common and often have a physical cause, such as a chronic illness or a cardiovascular problem. It is also around 50 or 60 that male hormone levels drop, which can contribute to impotence. Weight gain and diabetes can also contribute to erection problems. Among the psychological causes that can trigger erection problems are stress, anxiety and worry. Mind and body are linked! Performance anxiety, which is the drive to over-perform with one's sexual partner, is an anticipatory fear of failure that leads to impotence. Erections can be quick, incomplete, or short-lived. Sometimes the failure can be complete, meaning there is no erection at all. For further medical advice, consult a general practitioner online, available 24/7.

What are the causes of erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is a common condition that can have many causes and can affect men of all ages. Among the main causes of erectile dysfunction, we can highlight:
 1. Cardiovascular causes. Vascular problems, linked to blood circulation, are one of the leading causes of erection problems. Many medical (or psychological) conditions can restrict blood flow to the penis and lead to erectile difficulties. Studies show that high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and diabetes are significant risk factors;
 2. Neurological problems. The onset of an erection is triggered in particular via the nervous system and the spinal cord. Conditions such as multiple sclerosis can sometimes lead to erectile dysfunction by disrupting the transmission of signals between the brain and the penis. Surgical procedures in the pelvic area also increase this risk;
 3. Hormonal disorders. Many hormonal disorders, and in particular a drop in testosterone, sometimes linked to andropause, can contribute to erection problems. Generally speaking, ageing is often associated with a natural decline in testosterone levels, which can sometimes affect erectile function;
 4. Psychological causes. Anxiety, depression, stress and other mental health problems can have an impact on the quality of an erection;
 5. Lifestyle-related factors. An unbalanced diet, poor sleep, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle and excessive alcohol consumption are all associated with an increased risk of erectile dysfunction. Doctors recommend a healthy lifestyle to improve erectile function.
Finally, erectile dysfunction can also be multifactorial, resulting from a complex interaction of several of these factors. A medical diagnosis is therefore important to identify the cause and put in place the best individual treatment strategy. Consider an online consultation, a quick and discreet option.

What are the treatments for erection problems?

Treatments for erection problems are now highly varied and include:
 1. Oral medications. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors) are the most commonly prescribed medications. They include, for example, sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra). These medications work by inhibiting a specific enzyme, which increases blood flow to the penis;
 2. Intracavernosal injections. This treatment involves injecting a substance directly into the penis that triggers an erection. Options include alprostadil (Vitaros) or EDEX;
 3. Using a vacuum pump. This device creates an erection by drawing blood into the penis, then placing a constriction ring at the base of the penis to maintain the erection.
 4. Cognitive behavioural therapy to address underlying psychological problems that may contribute to erection difficulties. It is often used in combination with other treatments;
 5. As a last resort, surgery. Several surgical procedures are possible, such as fitting a penile implant (penile prosthesis). This surgically implanted device artificially produces an erection.
A consultation is therefore important to find the best treatment. Combining treatments often produces better results. In any case, a healthcare professional must assess the severity of the erection problems and the risks and benefits of each treatment option.

Consult Feeli to treat your erectile dysfunction

Depending on the underlying cause of the erectile problems, several types of specialists may be consulted. It is often advisable to start by seeing a general practitioner. Getting a consultation with a GP on Feeli is easy and quick. Need to consult from your workplace, from home, in complete confidentiality, at the weekend or during the holidays? Teleconsultation offers a fully digital medical service. The flexibility and speed of connecting with a doctor are designed to make each patient's care pathway easier. Feeli only offers consultations without an appointment. As soon as you feel the need to discuss your erectile problems with a healthcare professional, log in to your Feeli account! The website is intuitive, easy to use and practical: consult a doctor from a simple computer or smartphone. Since security and confidentiality are essential, Feeli encrypts data, and patients remain the owners of their health data. Not all general practitioners are evenly distributed across France, and in some regions waiting times to get an appointment are long. No more need to travel or wait for an appointment. Feeli offers consultations for all needs, including impotence problems. Care is provided as quickly as possible, and the doctor gives you treatment as soon as the online consultation ends. Using Feeli means turning to technology to get advice from a healthcare professional, without having to wait and without needing an appointment.