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Preparing for an erectile dysfunction (ED) appointment starts with a list of your medicines, a short description of your symptoms and the questions you want answered. This checklist helps you discuss treatment with a doctor or pharmacist; it does not choose a medicine or dose for you.
Published: 31 October 2026. Prepared by Good Med Australia using the sources linked below. This article has not been independently medically reviewed.
Before the appointment: prepare three short notes
Your symptoms: note when the difficulty began, whether it happens consistently, and any changes in sexual desire. Include concerns about stress or relationships that you want to discuss. These details help a clinician understand the problem.
Your medicine list: bring prescription medicines, non-prescription products, vitamins and supplements. Include products used only occasionally. A clinician may also ask about your medical history and arrange an examination or tests where appropriate. Source: NIDDK, diagnosis of ED.
Your priorities: write down what you hope treatment will improve and any worries about side effects or using a medicine correctly. Take this list to the appointment so you can refer to it.
Questions to ask before starting or changing treatment
Ask: “Could a health condition or one of my current medicines be contributing?” and “What are my options if tablets are unsuitable?” Treatment may involve addressing an underlying cause, lifestyle changes, counselling, medicines or devices. Do not stop an existing medicine yourself. Source: NIDDK, treatment for ED.
For a prescribed product, ask your pharmacist to explain the label, formulation, timing, food instructions and what to do if it does not help. Different formulations can have different instructions. For example, vardenafil tablets and its rapidly disintegrating tablets are not interchangeable. Source: MedlinePlus, vardenafil.
Frequently asked questions
Should I mention a chest-pain spray used only occasionally?
Yes. Tell the clinician about occasional medicines as well as daily ones. Oral ED medicines must not be used with nitrates for heart disease. Bring the exact medicine names rather than assuming an occasional product is unimportant. Source: MedlinePlus, erection problems aftercare.
Should I stop a blood-pressure medicine before the appointment?
No. Discuss any suspected medicine-related problem with your clinician. A clinician may consider changing treatment, but stopping a prescribed medicine on your own can be harmful. Read about reviewing existing medicines.
Do I need tests before discussing ED treatment?
Not everyone needs the same tests. A clinician uses your history and examination to decide whether laboratory or other investigations would help. Ask what a proposed test is intended to clarify. Read about ED assessment.
What should I ask if a tablet is not working?
Tell your prescriber about the response and any side effects. Ask whether you are following the instructions correctly and what the next step should be. Do not add extra doses or another ED medicine yourself. Read the vardenafil medicine instructions.
Can counselling be part of ED treatment?
Yes. Counselling may help when anxiety, stress or other emotional factors are contributing. It can be discussed alongside other treatment options rather than assuming medicine is the only approach. Read about counselling and other options.
Where can I read more before my appointment?
Start with our ED symptoms and assessment FAQs and ED medicine FAQs. They provide general information, not a personal diagnosis or confirmation that a particular product is suitable for you.
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