Beware of High-Pressure Men’s Health Clinics…! Part 2
Seeking help for erectile dysfunction takes courage. It’s a vulnerable issue for most men, and no one should feel pressured into making an expensive decision while they’re in that position. Patients need honest guidance and the time to make informed decisions – not high-pressure sales tactics.
Several years ago, I wrote about the aggressive marketing tactics used by some men’s health clinics and why men with erectile dysfunction should think twice before walking through their doors. Unfortunately, not much has changed.
Recently, a metro Atlanta man made headlines after paying $11,500 for erectile dysfunction treatments that are available elsewhere for a fraction of the cost. Like many patients, he responded to a radio advertisement promoting a “free” consultation and first treatment. After receiving an injection that produced an erection, he was presented with a contract costing thousands of dollars and was even assisted in applying for a credit card to finance the treatment.
Sadly, this story is not unusual.
One of the biggest concerns with certain men’s health clinics is that the focus tends to shift from medical care to making a sale. Once you’ve demonstrated that injection therapy works, the pressure to sign an expensive contract can begin. Patients are frequently told they need to commit immediately, with little time to consider their options or seek a second opinion.
What many men don’t realize is that penile injection therapy is not a new or proprietary treatment. Urologists have safely prescribed these medications for decades, often at a fraction of the price charged by some men’s health clinics.
Another concern is that many men are being started on injections before trying simpler, less invasive treatments. In urology, we often follow a stepwise approach to treating erectile dysfunction. For most patients, treatment begins with identifying and addressing underlying medical conditions, discussing lifestyle factors, and trying oral medications such as sildenafil (Viagra) or tadalafil (Cialis). Injection therapy can be an excellent option when appropriate, but may not be the first treatment we recommend.
Erectile dysfunction can also be an important warning sign of other health problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or low testosterone. Treating the symptom without evaluating the underlying cause may mean missing an opportunity to diagnose a more serious medical condition.
If you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction, your first call should be to your primary care physician or a urologist – not a clinic advertising miracle cures on the radio. A qualified physician can evaluate your overall health, discuss all available treatment options, and help you choose the safest and most effective approach based on your individual needs – not a sales quota.
Don’t let a slick advertisement or a “free” consultation turn into an expensive financial commitment. Your health deserves expert medical care – not a high-pressure sales presentation.
To make an appointment with a Georgia Urology physician, schedule online or call one of our office locations.
