HEALTHY LIVING: Don't be embarrassed lads, get some help
INCREASING numbers of Sheffield men are receiving treatment for impotence, also know as erectile dysfunction or ED.
But experts at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals' erectile dysfunction clinic based in the Urology Department at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital say they are still many couples suffering unnecessarily because they feel too embarrassed to talk to their GP.
The condition, which is said to affect one in 10 men, can be easily treated in the majority of cases but staff say that men often find it difficult to talk to their partners or a doctor about their problems or simply aren't aware of the help that is available.
ED can lead to marital problems, a loss of confidence, low self-esteem, a sense of worthlessness and depression. The Trust is urging more men to confide in their GP and access the many services on offer.
Patricia Allen is one of the Trust's Clinical Nurse Specialists in Andrology and Urology and she says: "In Sheffield we've been running an ED clinic for around 20 years so nothing comes as a surprise to us.
"We see men of all ages; from their teens through to their 80s or beyond and all ethnic backgrounds, sexualities and physical abilities."
"What we want to say to men is don't be embarrassed about talking to someone – staff are experienced and don't feel embarrassed. We talk about it every day of our working lives.
"We've had couples in the clinic who have gone through years of emotional upset when they needn't have and many have wondered why they left it so long before asking for help."
Since it started the trust's specialist Erectile Dysfunction clinic, also known as the Andrology Service, has become a national centre of excellence, as voted by the National Impotence Association in 2002 , now known as the sexual dysfunction association, and is a model for similar clinics around the UK.
It is one of only a few NHS clinics of its kind in the country and employs a dedicated team of specialist doctors, headed by Professor Kevan Wylie, nurse specialists and psychosexual counsellors who work together to help men understand what is causing their ED.
Patricia says: "There are so many causes of erectile dysfunction: it can be down to emotional factors brought on by situations such as bereavement or redundancy."
"It could also be caused by physical factors such as blood vessel problems brought on by smoking, diabetes or excessive alcohol consumption."
"We are here to help men understand their own personal reasons and to offer appropriate advice, support and treatment. This can include counselling, medical or mechanical treatment or sometimes surgery – but in the majority of cases men with ED will find they are able to get the help they need from their local doctor without even needing to see a specialist."
The risk of developing some of the physical causes of ED can be reduced by avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol, eating a healthy diet, taking regular exercise and taking time to relax with a partner.
Help is also available men who have Peyronies Disease, which leads to a bend in the penis, and affects one in 100 men.
Medication and hormone replacement therapies are some of the treatments which are helping men to enjoy their love lives once again.
And, as Patricia stressed, because new treatments are coming on board, there is a variety of help available.
Patricia and her colleague Debbie Davies-South are Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's Clinical Nurse Specialists for Andrology and Urology and can both be contacted on 0114 2712498 for free and confidential advice.
The Sexual Dysfunction Association can provide men and their partners with support, advice and help on available treatments, up-to-date medical information and put them in touch with specialist practitioners.
The charity also operates a confidential helpline – 0870 7743571 – which is open from 9pm-5pm, Monday to Friday. Visit www.sda.uk.net
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Friday 25 May 2012
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