ED Questions Men Ask, and Why a Check-Up Comes First
Permission over lecture
Men's health can be hard to talk about. In our Clearwater clinic, men often ask about erectile dysfunction (ED) quietly, sometimes at the very end of a visit. So here are some of the most common questions, with plain answers.
Is ED common?
Yes. ED means trouble getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sex. Research from the National Institutes of Health suggests that between 30 million and 50 million men in the United States have ED. If it is happening to you, you are not alone.
What causes it?
ED can have many causes. Health conditions that affect blood vessels, nerves or hormones can play a part. So can certain medicines, stress or anxiety, and lifestyle factors such as smoking, heavy alcohol use and inactivity. Often more than one factor is involved.
Why does a check-up come first?
Because ED can be an early sign of another health problem, including heart disease. An erection depends on healthy blood flow, and ED and heart disease share many risk factors. That is the biggest reason to see your physician before anything else. Your physician can check your heart and blood vessel health, review your medicines, and order blood work, including a testosterone level if needed.
Please see your physician right away if you have chest pain or shortness of breath (call 911 in an emergency), if ED started suddenly or after an injury, or if you think a medicine may be the cause. An erection that lasts more than four hours needs emergency care.
What about shockwave therapy for ED?
You may have seen low-intensity shockwave therapy for ED online. Here is the honest picture. The American Urological Association guideline says it should be considered investigational. The Sexual Medicine Society of North America has said robust clinical data are lacking, while noting the approach appears relatively safe. Devices, settings and schedules also vary widely, with no agreed standard. In short, the research is early and mixed.
Does SoftWave treat ED?
No claim is made that it does. SoftWave is FDA-cleared for specific uses, and erectile dysfunction is not one of them. We make no claim that SoftWave treats, cures or improves ED.
What is the $295 men's wellness evaluation?
It is a private, one-on-one conversation with Dr. Jennifer Norbits. It is not a treatment visit. We talk about your questions and goals, what the research does and does not say, and questions to take to your own physician. There is no pressure and no promised outcome. It is self-pay, and it is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or care.
Is the $79 mapping session for ED?
No. The $79 session is a SoftWave mapping session for joint and soft tissue concerns, not for ED.
Do you take insurance?
No. The practice is self-pay.
You can read more on our Erectile Dysfunction page.
Book a $295 Men's Wellness Evaluation
Sources: NIDDK, Definition and Facts for ED and Symptoms and Causes of ED; Cleveland Clinic, Erectile Dysfunction; AUA Erectile Dysfunction Guideline (2018); SMSNA position statement (2021); AUA Daily News (2025).
Dr. Jennifer Norbits LLC, 1205 Court Street, Suite 22-24, Clearwater, FL 33756. 727-265-8585.
Self-pay. Results vary. This post is for education only and is not medical advice. Please talk with your own physician about your health.