How to Talk to Your Doctor About Viagra

It’s not an easy thing to bring up. Even if you've known your healthcare provider for years, it can be hard to talk about erectile dysfunction. 

Although it can feel awkward, talking to your healthcare provider is the best way to get help. After all, you’re not alone.  Male sexual dysfunction affects up to one-third of men. This includes decreased libido (no interest in sex), erectile dysfunction, and problems ejaculating (including premature ejaculation). 

You have several options if you’d like to start a conversation with your provider about any of these topics to see if an ED prescription is right for you. You can schedule an in-person appointment or speak to a doctor virtually and see if it makes sense to try Viagra (sildenafil) or Cialis (tadalafil). Whichever you’re most comfortable with, here are some important considerations to think about.

Is Viagra only available with a prescription?

Yes. Viagra is only available with a prescription from a healthcare provider. This means that you can’t get Viagra without talking to a doctor (or other prescriber) first. But this doesn’t have to be in person. There are many virtual care providers who can make a diagnosis of ED and prescribe Viagra online. 

Does Viagra have to be prescribed by a doctor?

Yes. To get Viagra, you need a prescription from a healthcare provider. When you talk to your provider, they will ask you questions about your health (including your sexual health). This helps them decide whether Viagra could be a safe and effective medication for you to try. If they think Viagra is a good fit for you, they will send a prescription directly to your pharmacy. 

Remember: It’s important to use Viagra as prescribed. You shouldn’t take Viagra that belongs to someone else. It’s also not a good idea to take Viagra that came from anywhere else but a pharmacy. And if you get your medication online, make sure you’re using a safe pharmacy. 

Do you need to see a doctor to find out why you have ED?

Yes. This is especially true if your erection problems are new. ED can be a sign of another health problem, like diabetes, Parkinson’s, or high cholesterol. Your healthcare provider can help figure out what’s causing your ED and how to fix it. This could mean trying Viagra or another medication. Or it could mean getting to the root cause of your erection problems. 

After all, if you’re having trouble getting or keeping an erection, a basic checkup is never a bad idea. Your doctor can test your early-morning testosterone levels, review your medications, and take a close look at certain habits like drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes — all of which may affect your risk for ED.

Quiz: Is it erectile dysfunction?

How to start the conversation with your doctor about ED

If you’re concerned about ED, make an appointment to talk to your doctor. You can see a healthcare provider in person or online. Either way, when you meet, try to be as honest as possible about your symptoms. 

Some people feel awkward talking about sex, but you don’t need to feel that way. Erection problems are very common, and your healthcare provider is there to help. And the truth is, the more open you can be, the more likely it is you’ll get the help you need — and the right medication.

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Written by:

Sarah Gupta, MD

Sarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

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