Erectile Dysfunction: Expert Panel Recommendations for Evaluation and Management in the United Arab Emirates

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most common sexual disorders in men, and its effective management requires a holistic approach involving the collaboration of healthcare professionals from various specialties. There is a reluctance to seek treatment despite the high prevalence. In the UAE, there are no region-specific guidelines to guide physicians about its management. To address this need, a panel comprising experts from urology, psychiatry, interventional cardiology, and clinical pharmacy convened in Dubai from 19 to 21 May 2023 to provide recommendations for the management of ED in the UAE. The panel reviewed the currently available data and international guidelines to formulate recommendations for managing the condition in the UAE. The panel recommended recognizing ED as an early sign of cardiovascular disease, addressing psychological concerns, and involving multidisciplinary collaboration for managing the condition. Patients with ED should be screened for other comorbidities. There is a need for a well-connected network of healthcare providers comprising psychologists, gynecologists, urologists, dieticians, physical therapists, pharmacists, yoga instructors, and nurses to treat patients with ED, and timely referrals within this network are necessary. Recognizing the psychological impact of the condition, providing counseling to couples and psychological support to the patient is critical. Shared decision-making about treatment, based on open and meaningful conversations is the need of the hour. Technology can be used for awareness and patient education. Understanding the burden of ED and developing a patient-centric collaborative framework involving various specialists is important for the early diagnosis and effective management of ED. These expert recommendations aim to standardize ED management in the UAE and enhance multidisciplinary collaboration.