Sexual Dysfunction Preparing for Your Appointment

For Female Sexual Dysfunction

For women suffering from arousal problems, lack of interest in sex and sexual difficulties and who may want to improve their sexual relationship with their partner, they need to make an appointment with their doctor. When talking with your doctor about your sexual difficulties, you need not to feel embarrassed since talking with your doctor is also a part of the process of treatment – getting a happy sex life is not only important for your relationship but in your overall well being as well.

You can prepare for your appointment in order to get the most out of it. Listed below are some helpful tips to prepare well for your appointment.

To help your doctor come up with a correct diagnosis and a right course of treatment try to collect information regarding:

Questions you need to ask your doctor – Use a small notebook and write down the questions for your doctor you need answers to. This will make your appointment time more productive and efficient.
Your medical history – Include in your small notebook all the ailments, mental, problems, diseases and conditions that you have been diagnosed before. Also write down the medications and their dosages you’ve been recently taking. They may include steroids, supplements and over-the-counter and prescription medicines.
Your sexual history – This is important for your doctor to know since it can help him trace the origin of your sexual dysfunction especially if your underlying problem is psychological in nature. You need to mention all your relationships and sexual experiences starting from the time you became sexually active. You need to also mention any abuse or trauma you’ve experienced in your life.
Your symptoms – Mention all your sexual problems and the time you often experience them.

Here are some questions that you can ask your doctor:

What is the reason for my sexual problems?
Are tests needed for my problem?
What is the best treatment plan for my condition?
Do the medications you’re prescribing have any side effects? If so, what are the side effects?
What benefits can I get from the treatment plan?
Do I need to do self-care tips or lifestyle changes in order to be treated?
Do I need therapy?
Do I need to involve my partner in my plan of treatment?

Your doctor will need to know more about your condition and will start by asking personal and non-personal questions to you and to your partner if you bought him along with you. These questions are asked to ascertain what brought about your problem and help formulate the best treatment approach possible.

Some of the doctor’s questions may go like these:

What kind of problems are you having?
Do these problems bother you a bit or too much?
Are you happy with your current relationship?
When did you start becoming sexually active?
Are you aroused when performing sexual activities with your partner?
Do you have orgasm?
If you’ve had orgasms before, what brought them about?
Do you experience pain with intercourse?
Do you use birth control pills? If so, what kind?
Can you tell me all the medicines you are taking?
Do you drink alcohol or take recreational drugs? How much?
Have you had an operation involving your reproductive system?
Have you had past diagnosed physical and mental conditions?
Have you suffered from sexual violence before?

While waiting for your appointment day, try to work out with your partner any problems you both may have. Try to indulge in pleasurable non-sexual activities that can be relaxing and make your time together fun and worthwhile. This may provide more impetus for more intimacy during sex.

For Male Sexual Dysfunction

You may consult with your doctor first who may refer you to a specialist like a urologist or an endocrinologist.

You can take steps to prepare well for your appointment. You would want to call the doctor’s office and ask your doctor if there’s anything you need to do, like for example, not eating before taking a blood test. To make your appointment time more productive, you can use a small notebook to write down things that are important for your doctor to know.  In the notebook, you can:

Write down the symptoms you’ve experienced even the ones that may not involve your sexual dysfunction.
Write down any life changes or major stresses that have been bothering for you for some time.
Write down the medicines including steroids, supplements, herbs and over-the-counter and prescription medicines you are currently using.
Bring along your partner or wife with you to your appointment.
Write down questions you need to ask your doctor

Some of your questions can include questions about:

Your sexual problems like erectile dysfunction, low libido or impotence
The cause or causes of your sexual problem
The tests you need to undergo
Whether your problem is temporary or chronic
Your treatment plan
A viable treatment plan for both your sexual problem and your other current conditions
Lifestyle or diet restrictions you need to follow
Seeing a specialist, the cost it may entail and if your insurance will cover a specialist appointment
Generic alternatives to prescription medicines you need to take

In addition to the questions that you’ve prepared to ask your doctor, don’t hesitate to ask additional questions during your appointment.

Your doctor will ask you questions about yourself and your condition. Some of his questions may go like these:

Do you have other health problems sexual or not?
Has your sexual desire lessened or not?
When you masturbate, do you attain erection?
Do you get erections while sleeping or when you’re with your partner?
Do you have relationship (sexual or not) problems with your partner?
Does your partner have any sexual problems?
Are you stressed, depressed or anxious?
Do you have a mental health problem? If yes, are you currently taking medicines or getting therapy for it?
When did you first experience your sexual problems?
Do you always experience your sexual problems?
Do you drink alcohol or take illegal drugs?