ED Treatment in Australia: what your options really are
A guide for Australian men who have decided to sort out erectile dysfunction and are working out what proper care looks like — what a real consultation involves, when to investigate, and how to choose a doctor.
Erectile dysfunction is common and treatable
ED is common across every adult age band in Australia, and in most men it responds to properly targeted treatment. The important first step is a real clinical assessment before medication — not because ED itself is dangerous, but because in many men it points to something else worth looking at: blood pressure, blood sugar, mood, medication side effects, and sometimes hormones. Sorting that out is what makes treatment actually work rather than briefly mask a symptom.
Why “just get a script” often misses the point
Getting a same-day tablet from an online form can feel efficient, and for a narrow subset of men it is. The reason clinical guidelines still recommend a proper consultation — history, cardiovascular screen, medication review — is that erectile dysfunction is often the first noticeable symptom of a vascular or metabolic issue, months to years before other signs appear. If you skip the screen you can fix the erection and miss the reason.
The consultation is where the value sits; the script is the easy part.
What a proper ED consultation includes
History & red flags
Onset (sudden vs gradual), situational vs constant, morning erections, current medications, and any chest pain, breathlessness, or significant mood change. Red flags trigger escalation — not a script.
Cardiovascular screen
Blood pressure, cardiovascular risk factors, and a decision on blood work. In men over 40 — and increasingly in men in their 30s — ED can be the earliest sign of endothelial dysfunction.
Testosterone, sleep, metabolic
Where history suggests it — low libido, fatigue, weight gain, poor sleep — morning testosterone, LH, FSH, prolactin, TSH, HbA1c and lipids may be relevant. Sleep apnoea and weight are large, reversible contributors.
Treatment options in Australia
Lifestyle-first
Weight, cardiovascular fitness, sleep, alcohol, smoking and mental health each measurably affect erectile function. Alongside medication these often outperform medication alone; in some men they make it unnecessary.
When medication is appropriate
Oral PDE5 inhibitor medications are the standard first-line option and are well-studied. Not appropriate for everyone: nitrate medication is an absolute contraindication, and some cardiac and blood-pressure conditions require caution.
When to escalate
Persistent symptoms despite optimised first-line treatment, structural or post-surgical concerns, confirmed low testosterone with symptoms, or complex endocrine findings. Referral is a normal part of good care.
How to choose an online doctor for ED in Australia
If you've decided to sort out ED and are working out which service to use, the useful frame is what model of care are you actually buying? Two structurally different models exist in the Australian market. Neither is dishonest — they suit different needs. See the full side-by-side comparison →
Real consultation vs. sign-up funnels
In the subscription model you fill in an online form and receive a script plus an ongoing monthly supply arrangement. In the consult model you book a real appointment with a doctor and receive a script that is yours to fill at any Australian pharmacy — no lock-in.
What AHPRA telehealth requires
The consulting practitioner must be Australian-registered, the consultation must be real-time (phone or video), and the doctor takes clinical responsibility for the prescription. Form-only prescribing sits outside standard telehealth guidance.
Questions to ask before you pay
Will I speak to a doctor in real time, phone or video?
Is the doctor Australian-registered, and what is their AHPRA number?
Is this a one-off consult, or does it enrol me in an ongoing subscription?
Can I take the script to any Australian pharmacy?
What happens if the medication isn't right for me — will I be reviewed, and at what cost?
drjames.au is a different option, not a replacement for your regular GP. If you have an existing GP who knows you, that relationship is worth keeping.
What happens in a consultation with Dr James Condon
Dr James is an Australian doctor, GP registrar with the RACGP training programme. Consultations are phone or video — your choice at booking — and involve a full history and clinical assessment, not a form that auto-generates a treatment plan.
Introductory pricing is $29.95 for the consult. Follow-up, if clinically appropriate, is discussed at the end of the appointment — not billed for automatically. If eligible, your Medicare card can still be used at the pharmacy for PBS-subsidised medication; that is a separate transaction from the consult.
Fee-refund policy: if you are not satisfied with the consultation, we refund the fee. If the assessment concludes no prescription is issued and no further care from drjames.au is planned, we refund the fee. Claim within 14 days. See full policy →
Book an appointment — $29.95