28 year old, likely destined for implant, general advice appreciated (UK based)

[kippybrossy]

Hey brother, glad to hear you are taking steps to fix your issues.

I’m not in the UK, but I’m a lifelong venous leaker sufferer. As I’ve learned more about it, it seems like a lot of us lifelong ED sufferers are due to venous leak. We can get erections, but have trouble keeping them, which leads to psychological issues, and it’s all a vicious cycle. When I was a teenager most GPs just blamed psychological issues. Once pills came out there was no need for blame. But as you are learning over time the pills seem to lose effectiveness, especially for venous leak issues. Nowadays, urologists seem to understand this better. GPS, though, are still iffy on the whole subject! So as a very first step, make sure you get to speak to a urologist, and if you can get to one that is actually an implanter, all the better. They are going to be the best to help you make a decision.

My advice is that you push your doctors. Yes, they will likely make you try things. And you should, if only to understand for yourself whether they work or not. But no matter where you are, at the end of the day doctors just do their job, it’s your job to push and demand the care you need. Particularly with ED, it’s easy for both you and the doc to drop the subject. That’s why I am glad to see you actively invested in trying to find a solution.

If you are a lifelong sufferer, you are probably like I was and don’t even know what you are missing out on. Living as a guy with a reliably hard dick is very different than living as one where it is always in question.

At your age, I would absolutely make sure you are trying all the options available. If you can make one work, great. But if you are finding that your sex life and confidence are not turning around, don’t be afraid to go with an implant. It sounds like maybe you know that already, but I just want to reinforce that view.

Be well, Leto

Thanks a lot for the kind words Leto

It seems like to get anywhere down this route you're right you have to push for it. Noone's gonna make the decisions for you. I know that I haven't tried everything required before the implant like pills, a pump and rings and then all the injections and whatever else, but I do sadly realistically think none of them are going to be solutions for me, especially in the long term. I'll keep in mind your advice, it's very helpful. Thanks again

[Ray Johnson]

I’ve been on’t pills for the guts of a decade now and their efficacy is beginning to dwindle. Like you, I’ve gone back to the NHS, my GP practice, and basically said, Look lads, I need to see a urologist as it looks like the next step is injections or VED/rings; I’m not ecstatic at the prospect but thank fook there are options.

Heard the jabs can be eye-wateringly expensive, Caverject and that. Time to sell that kidney perhaps?