An ED consultation checklist genuinely makes your first appointment more useful, the more clearly you can describe your situation, the faster a consultation gets to the actual likely cause, rather than spending the session gathering basic information. None of this is required to book, but a few minutes of preparation goes a long way. Here are five things worth having ready.
1. Your Medical History
- Any diagnosed conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, kidney disease)
- Any past surgeries, particularly pelvic, prostate, or spinal
- Family history of early heart disease, if known
- Recent blood test results, if you have them, even if unrelated to ED
2. A Full Medication List
- Every prescription medication you’re currently taking, including dosages if you know them
- Over-the-counter medication you take regularly, including antihistamines
- Any supplements you’re currently taking, or have considered
- When you started each one, if this roughly lines up with when your symptoms began
This matters more than most men expect, an estimated one in four ED cases has a medication contributing to it.
3. Your Symptom Pattern
- When it started, and whether it was sudden or gradual
- Whether it happens every time, or only sometimes
- Whether you still get erections alone or on waking, but not with a partner
- Whether it’s difficulty getting an erection, keeping one, or both
This single pattern often points clearly toward a likely cause before any test is needed.
4. Practical Logistics
- For a remote consultation, a private space with a stable connection
- For an in-person visit, allow enough time so the conversation isn’t rushed
- Any recent medical aid queries answered ahead of time, if relevant to you
5. Questions Worth Asking
- What do you think is most likely contributing to my situation?
- What can naturopathic care realistically help with here?
- Do I need a referral to a GP or specialist, and for what specifically?
- What would a realistic timeline for improvement look like?
- What should I watch for that would mean I need to come back sooner?
Bringing a written list of your own questions is completely normal, and often genuinely helps you get more out of the conversation.
A Private Self-Check
A quick way to see how prepared you already are:
2. Do you know roughly when your symptoms started?
3. Have you noticed whether it happens every time, or only in certain situations?
4. Do you have any recent blood test results you could bring or send ahead?
5. Have you written down any questions you want answered?
If you answered “no” to most of these, that’s completely normal, and this checklist is exactly the starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions | ED Consultation Checklist
Do I need to complete this checklist before booking?
No, none of this is required to book. It simply helps the consultation itself go more smoothly.
What if I don’t have any test results to bring?
That’s completely fine, we’ll discuss whether any testing is needed as part of your assessment.
Should I write things down beforehand, or is it fine to just remember?
Writing things down, even briefly, tends to help, it’s easy to forget details once the conversation starts.
Is it okay to bring a partner to help remember things?
Yes, if you’re both comfortable with that, a partner can help fill in details and ask their own questions too.
What if I’m not sure whether something is relevant?
Mention it anyway, it’s genuinely easier for us to filter out what’s not relevant than for you to guess and leave something important out.
Does this checklist apply to remote consultations too?
Yes, all five points apply whether you’re consulting in person in Sandton or remotely from anywhere in South Africa.
Reviewed by George Mulaudzi, Naturopath, Erectile Dysfunction Clinic. This page provides general preparation guidance and does not constitute medical advice.
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