Get Back Your Control. Your Stamina. Your Confidence.

Life in Sydney is incredibly busy, and that busy lifestyle has an impact on men's health in ways that are often overlooked. The most recent commuting research from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey has shown that Sydney has the longest average commute times of any city in Australia, and long, high-pressure workdays leave little time or motivation to make an appointment with a general practitioner (GP), endure long traffic jams getting to the GP and wait in line again at the pharmacy.

There are many common contributors to erectile dysfunction including stress, a lack of sleep and a sedentary lifestyle due to long hours at your desk and limited time to exercise, all of which apply to a significant number of male employees in Sydney. An online consultation takes away the major barrier of time. You can have a consultation with a doctor about erectile dysfunction during your lunch hour, after your children have gone to bed or while you are sitting in your car between meetings, where no one in the waiting area can see you.

• No driving through congested Sydney traffic or looking for a parking spot near the doctor's office
• No need to take any time off work to attend a daytime appointment
• No face-to-face contact with a receptionist, or likely a pharmacist, whom you know
• All treatment and follow-up to be conducted via your phone or laptop

Erectile dysfunction (commonly referred to as ED) is frequently defined as a continual problem achieving and/or maintaining a penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual interaction. Having occasional troubles with erections is commonplace and normal, therefore not usually indicative of an erectile dysfunction diagnosis. A diagnosis of erectile dysfunction will generally be made when, and if, a man has had this difficulty consistently over a period of time (usually for multiple weeks) and when such difficulty is affecting their self confidence, intimacy and/or relationships.

Erectile dysfunction is much more prevalent among men than men understand, and there are few forums for men to openly discuss erectile dysfunction. The following statistic provides a clearer picture regarding the prevalence of erectile dysfunction.

Men aged 18–55 (NSW/Australia-wide): 10–20% report erectile difficulties, rising with age (BMC Public Health, 2016). Men over 40: About 1 in 5 affected (Healthy Male / MJA, 2013). Men 45+ in NSW: 61% report some degree of ED (mild, moderate or complete) (MJA and Up Study, 2013). Men over 70: Nearly 70% affected (Healthy Male, 2013).

Men are represented in research, but only a small percentage of men with erectile dysfunction have ever consulted a physician regarding treatment options. The primary barrier to consulting with physicians regarding this condition is not necessarily the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction, it is the discomfort associated with discussing it with a physician face-to-face. Confidential telehealth consultations have the capability to eliminate this barrier.

Erectile dysfunction is typically related to a combination of physical, psychological, and lifestyle factors; therefore, determining which of these factors is responsible for an individual man's erectile dysfunction is usually the first thing that an evaluating physician will do.

Physical Causes

Some of the physical factors that can cause erectile dysfunction (ED) are:

• Reduced blood flow due to having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease.
• Type 2 diabetes, which can damage nerves and blood vessels.
• Having low testosterone or a hormonal imbalance.
• Side effects of certain medications, such as certain antidepressants and blood pressure medications.
• Prostate problems or the treatment for prostate problems like surgery or radiation therapy.

Psychological Causes

Some of the psychological factors that can cause erectile dysfunction are:

• Performance anxiety (e.g. the pressure to "perform") is commonly found in younger males.
• Work-related stress and job burnout.
• Depression, low mood or chronic anxiety issues.
• Relationship tension and unresolved issues with a spouse or partner.

Lifestyle Factors

Some of the lifestyle factors that can lead to erectile dysfunction are:

• Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
• Lacking physical activity and having poor cardiovascular fitness.
• Poor sleep quality is often a result of long work and shift work commutes.
• Being overweight or having excess abdominal weight.

Additionally, research from the Medical Journal of Australia shows that for men aged 45 and older, moderate to complete erectile dysfunction increases by 11% for every year of age, and the risk for men with risk factors like smoking or excessive drinking is 26% more than for men without those risk factors.

Erectile dysfunction is not just sexually related, ED can also help identify problems with your heart. Due to an erection needing good blood circulation to occur, having erectile dysfunction often is an early indicator of cardiovascular disease that can manifest years before suffering from a heart attack or stroke. Other medical problems such as type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndromes, also have an association with ED. That is why anyone experiencing ED should seek a proper medical evaluation, rather than disregard the issue or attempt to self-treat with natural remedies that may not work.

DirectMeds has erectile dysfunction treatment available to residents across the Greater Sydney Area. It does not matter if you work in or live in the Sydney CBD, in Margaret River, the Eastern Suburbs or the North Shore; you will be able to get your ED treatment from DirectMeds delivered to your house. Using DirectMeds, you simply fill out an assessment on their website, consult with their doctor via phone or Skype and then receive your ED treatment at home via courier.

The geographic distance between your home in Sydney and the nearest men's health clinic can be a significant barrier to accessing health services. It is not uncommon for clinics to be located 40 minutes away from your home. The following areas typically have men's health clinics available:

• Sydney CBD and Inner City (2000, 2010, 2011)
• Eastern Suburbs: Bondi (2026), Randwick (2031), Coogee (2034)
• Inner West: Leichhardt (2040), Marrickville (2204), Newtown (2042)
• North Shore: Chatswood (2067), North Sydney (2060), Hornsby (2077)
• West Sydney: Parramatta (2150), Penrith (2750), Blacktown (2148)
• South West Sydney: Liverpool (2170), Campbelltown (2560)
• Northern Beaches: Manly (2095), Dee Why (2099)

Regardless of your location, your doctor, treatment method and delivery of care will be consistent across all clinics.

When you are seeking an erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment in Sydney, several lifestyle modifications can help to support your experience with that treatment and often enhance the overall effectiveness of the prescribed treatment as well as decrease the amount of the treatment required over time.

Your healthcare provider may advise you to make one or more of the following lifestyle changes along with your prescribed ED treatment:

• Regular Physical Exercise: Engaging in regular moderate-intensity activities such as the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, a lap of Centennial Park or a harborside walk along the foreshore will help you to increase blood circulation, which is a crucial part of having an erection.
• Improving Sleep Patterns: Many people who have long commutes to work in the Sydney area find themselves getting inadequate rest and developing problems with their performance in both daily tasks and their sexual performance, primarily due to not getting a consistent amount of rest (7 to 8 hours of sleep each night).
• Reducing Alcohol Consumption: Regular and/or heavy alcohol consumption is one of the most strongly linked lifestyle factors associated with ED in people living in Australia.
• Reducing Stress: Whether it's pressure from work or the stresses of living in a big city, many factors contribute to chronic stress, all of which negatively affect hormone levels and your willingness or preparedness to be intimate with your partner.
• Quitting Smoking: Smoking damages blood vessels and, therefore, has a direct link to vascular (blood flow) causes of ED.

Although none of the above-mentioned lifestyle changes will take the place of prescribed medical treatments, they may help to improve the effectiveness of any medical treatment and contribute to long-term health in conjunction with the prescribed medical treatment.

The vast majority of instances of erectile dysfunction (ED) do not constitute an emergency. However, in some instances, immediate medical care should be sought versus an online consultation. These include an erection lasting longer than four hours (priapism), with or without medication; chest discomfort, shortness of breath or dizziness at the time of or just before sexual activity; and sudden loss of erectile function due to injuries, surgical procedures or significant medical events.

After your online consultation, your doctor will recommend a plan that suits your health profile, lifestyle and personal preference. DirectMeds offers three core approaches. dm Ready (on demand) works within minutes and lasts up to 6 hours. It is best for occasional use and spontaneity, with prices starting from $1.60 per dose. dm Lasting lasts 36 to 48 hours and is best for weekends and less precise timing, with prices starting from $2.80 per dose. dm Steady (daily) is continuous and taken once daily. It is best for always being ready and consistency, with prices starting from $1.50 per dose.

Many Sydney men experience their difficulties in accessing care as not only being about the treatment but also about accessing the support systems that come with it. Book well in advance if you need to take time away from work, then there are the problems of getting to the clinic and finding parking near the clinic in either the CBD or the inner suburbs, plus you have the inconvenience of having to endure waiting for your name to be called out to see the doctor.

DirectMeds (Online) offers a doctor consult in under 5 minutes, with no travel or parking required as everything is done from home or work. It provides 100% confidential care with no waiting room, doctors focused on men's health, the ability to message your doctor anytime for follow-up, and free, discreet delivery to your door. Traditional Sydney clinics may require days to weeks for an appointment, involve Sydney traffic, CBD parking costs or public transport time, face-to-face interactions with reception and other patients, often provide a general GP with limited appointment time, require booking another appointment for follow-up, and require picking up medication from a local pharmacy in person.

With DirectMeds, you can obtain an appropriate ED treatment online without the need to go through the usual process:

• Complete a free two-minute online ED assessment
• Speak with an AHPRA-registered doctor via phone, usually within five minutes after meeting your doctor
• Receive an individualised treatment plan from your AHPRA-registered doctor using TGA approved medications
• Free and discreet delivery of medications throughout the Sydney metro area and throughout New South Wales (NSW).

Reasons to Use DirectMeds for Erectile Dysfunction Treatment in Sydney

• An entirely Australian run Telehealth platform
• Consultations with AHPRA-registered practitioners
• All treatments approved by the TGA and dispensed by pharmacies accredited with the Australian Pharmacy Registration Board
• A LegitScript-certified online pharmacy partner
• No Medicare records, no clinic visits and no need to pick up at the clinic
• Free packages delivered throughout all of Australia, including the Sydney metro area and all regional NSW postal areas.

Sydney ED consultations through DirectMeds are conducted by AHPRA registered Australian doctors including Dr. Seif Ali, a General Practitioner with clinical experience across emergency medicine, respiratory medicine and general practice in both the UK and Australia, with a dedicated focus on men's sexual health. Dr. Seif takes a judgment free, holistic approach, assessing the physical, psychological and lifestyle dimensions of every patient's ED before recommending a personalised treatment plan.

You will never speak to a chatbot or an offshore agent. Every DirectMeds consultation is with a real and qualified Australian doctor.