Erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

Yes, absolutely. ED is the most common men’s medical condition treated by online doctors on Maple.

Once a Maple doctor has had a consultation with you, they can help you to understand possible causes of your ED.

They also may prescribe treatments such as medicine that can help you achieve a temporary erection during sexual intercourse.

Yes, our Canadian-licensed physicians can prescribe ED pills and medications online during your consultation. Once you accept a prescription, you’ll have the option to pick it up from any pharmacy or we’ll deliver it right to your door at no additional cost.

You can visit our How it Works page to learn more.

ED is known as the inability to maintain an erection sufficient for satisfying sexual activity.

An erection is more complex than you may think – it involves your brain, hormones, emotions, nerves, muscles, and blood vessels. If any of these factors isn’t working together with the rest, an erection cannot occur.

Symptoms may include:

• Difficulty getting an erection
• Difficulty maintaining an erection
• Reduced sexual desire

You should see a doctor if:

• Your inability to get or maintain erections is new and uninvestigated
• Your difficulty with erections causes significant distress or relationship disruption
• You experience other sexual problems like a premature or delayed ejaculation
• You have diabetes, heart disease, or other health conditions
• You have other symptoms associated with your erectile dysfunction

Common causes of erectile dysfunction include:

• High blood pressure
• Alcoholism
• Hormonal
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Spinal cord and brain injuries
• Parkinson’s disease
• Psychological factors e.g. stress, anxiety
• Sleep disorder
• Smoking
• History of radiation therapy
• Medication use - antihypertensives, antidepressants, antipsychotics, antiandrogens, recreational drugs, and alcohol

By taking care of your health. The most common physiological reason for ED is reduced blood flow, brought on by constricted blood vessels. These are some of the most common culprits for tightened blood vessels:

• High cholesterol levels. Try to maintain a low-cholesterol diet by reducing fatty foods and red meat.
• Exercise to maintain a healthy body weight and encourage blood flow.
• Check your blood pressure regularly to make sure it is not interfering with your ability to maintain an erection.
• Keep your blood sugar levels in check if you are affected by diabetes.
• Avoid smoking cigarettes. Smoking narrows blood vessels and reduces blood flow.
• Drink in moderation.
• Many illicit drugs can affect the nervous system and damage blood vessels.
• Manage your stress levels or seek help to develop better coping skills
• Discuss with your pharmacist the side effects of prescription drugs you’re currently taking.

Yes this is partly true - dehydration is one of the ways alcohol can cause erectile dysfunction.

Alcohol acts as a sedative to the central nervous system. Increased alcohol consumption impairs sexual arousal from slowed signals between the brain and the penis, reduced penile nerve sensitivity, lowers libido, reduces blood circulation (kind of critical to get an erection), and maybe even reduced testosterone synthesis. Drinking alcohol in excess can cause high blood pressure - and damage blood vessels, again leading to impeded blood flow to the penis along with everywhere else in the body. Long term alcoholism leads to permanent damage.

In many cases, yes, ED can be reversed. Even when ED can’t be cured, the right treatment can reduce or eliminate symptoms. You can even get ED treatment online.

You should see a doctor for your ED condition if:

• Your inability to get or maintain erections is new and uninvestigated
• Your difficulty with erections causes significant distress or relationship disruption
• You experience other sexual problems like a premature or delayed ejaculation
• You have diabetes, heart disease, or other health conditions
• You have other symptoms associated with your ED

No, ED doesn’t cause premature ejaculation but you might be at risk of developing the condition if you have trouble getting or maintaining an erection.

In short, yes, it can happen at any age. And while ED is less common in young men, it is much more prevalent in middle-aged men or older, due to atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in the arteries.

Maple is a virtual care platform that connects you with our network of Canadian-licensed doctors, nurse practitioners and specialists via secure text, audio or video call. Sign in to your Maple account to start a visit. Learn more about how Maple works here.

A visit works a lot like an in-person appointment. A doctor or nurse practitioner will ask about your symptoms, review your health history and recommend a treatment plan that's right for you. Not every visit leads to a prescription. Sometimes, you might need to see someone in person. When that happens, we'll help you figure out what comes next.

As a Maple member, you get 24/7 access to care online. Connect with our network of Canadian-licensed doctors and nurse practitioners in minutes via secure text, audio or video call.

Our membership costs $85/month. One membership. Care for your whole family. In eligible provinces, membership includes:

• Daily visits: one visit a day with a doctor or nurse practitioner for each family member in your household
• Pediatric care: covered pediatric primary care visits, available by appointment
• Second Medical Opinion: when you're unsure about a complex diagnosis, like cancer or MS, or want to understand all your options, you and your family can access an expert Second Medical Opinion
• Personal Health Check-Ins: personalized, evidence-based proactive care screenings to help you stay on top of your health
• iCBT courses: internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy self-assessments and courses
• Specialists: see a specialist in days, not months. No referral necessary.
• Specialist referrals: a referral to a physician specialist for in-person care, if needed

Membership can't be combined with other offerings, such as private insurance coverage and provincial programs, where available. A Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) may cover your membership fees. Check with your HSA provider for details.

Your Maple monthly membership covers virtual care for you, your spouse and your dependents under the age of 18 who share the same primary residence. Full disclaimer and refund policy here.

We accept all major credit cards, including AMEX, plus Google Pay and Apple Pay.

Privacy is at the core of how we deliver care. We follow Canadian privacy and healthcare laws, including PIPEDA and PHIPA, to protect your personal and health information.

Our policies and consent processes are simple and easy to understand, so you stay in control. Strong security infrastructure and strict data policies protect every session. You keep control of your personal health information, medical records and test results at all times. We also work with privacy and security experts and review our policies regularly.

All doctors and nurse practitioners who deliver care through Maple are licensed in Canada and governed by their regulatory colleges. They must follow the telemedicine policies set by the medical regulator in each province.

Regulators across Canada recognize the value of virtual care. It helps improve access to care for patients and makes care delivery more efficient for practitioners and Canada's healthcare system.