Choose care around the concern, rather than choosing a title first. Sexual difficulties can involve physical health, medication, emotions or the relationship. This guide explains appointment choices for adults and links to specific concerns. A private online conversation can be a starting point; examinations and some investigations need in-person care.
Start with the concern you want help with
You can say “sex has become painful”, “I am worried about erections”, “my desire has changed” or “we find it hard to discuss intimacy”. You do not need technical terms. Note when it began, whether anything changed around that time and what you want from an appointment.
Do not send intimate photographs or demonstrate sexual activity to seek a routine talking appointment. Ask about the service’s privacy arrangements before sharing sensitive records.
Which professional should you consider?
- Doctor or relevant medical specialist: physical symptoms, pain, a new change in sexual function, medication questions, or concerns about a possible infection need appropriate medical assessment. Depending on the problem, a doctor may recommend gynaecology, urology or another specialty.
- Psychiatrist: consider a mental-health medical consultation when mood, anxiety, psychiatric treatment or prescription side effects are part of the concern. Psychiatry is not a substitute for every physical sexual-health assessment.
- Therapy professional with relevant experience: ask about psychosexual work when you want to discuss anxiety, distress, communication or the emotional impact of sexual difficulties.
- Couples professional: joint relationship work can help you discuss differing priorities. Each partner’s consent matters; joint work is not a requirement for individual care.
Ask about qualifications and the exact service. The word “sexologist” alone does not establish a medical qualification.
Erection difficulties
Medical care may address underlying causes and consider medicines or devices; counselling can be relevant when emotional factors contribute. Treatment choice follows assessment.
Read the erection-difficulty overview or prepare questions about ED treatment options.
Ejaculation concerns
Persistent ejaculation difficulties can be discussed with a doctor. Medical and psychosexual options depend on the cause and personal circumstances.
See premature ejaculation information and our appointment and treatment-options guide.
Pain, penetration concerns and vaginismus
Pain deserves medical assessment rather than an assumption that it is only anxiety. A care plan may include relevant medical and psychosexual support.
Read vaginismus information and how to prepare for an appointment about painful sex. You do not need to force penetration to prepare for care.
Low desire or different levels of interest
Desire can be affected by health, medicines and relationship circumstances. Care depends on what is causing concern, not a required frequency of sex.
Explore low-desire information and questions about low libido and treatment choices.
Performance anxiety and medicine-related changes
If worry is central, ask about support for sexual performance anxiety. If the change followed a prescription, read how to discuss sexual side effects with your prescriber. Do not stop or adjust prescribed treatment on your own.
What treatment options actually mean
An appointment should identify the question to assess before recommending a plan. Medical investigations, prescription treatment, psychosexual therapy, couples work or referral may serve different needs. You can ask why an option is being suggested, its risks, alternatives, likely review points and full cost. A consultation does not guarantee a particular prescription or outcome.
Ask whether one professional can provide the relevant parts of care or whether another clinician should be involved. Information should be shared between professionals only through an appropriate consent process.
Privacy, consent and the first conversation
You can start with the concern you feel able to describe and ask why a question is relevant. Ask about confidentiality and its limits, records, communication and whether anyone else can access appointment information. If an examination is needed, discuss consent and arrangements with the medical service. A therapist’s talking session should not involve sexual contact.
Read what to ask before your first sex-therapy appointment. Check language, fees and whether you are booking alone or together before paying.
When to get prompt medical care
Severe or sudden pain, injury, heavy bleeding or another acute physical problem needs prompt medical assessment. Do not wait for a routine therapy booking. For concerns about infection or exposure, contact an appropriate medical or sexual-health service for testing advice.
Choose an appointment
Explore sexual-health support and professional profiles. For mental-health assessment or prescription questions, see psychiatry consultation options. Check each professional’s relevant experience and scope before booking; being listed does not establish specialist sexual-medicine training. For joint relationship work, compare couples-session options.
Sources and scope
General information for adults, prepared by Mindara on 28 October 2026. This page helps you discuss care choices; it does not diagnose a condition or prescribe treatment.