A treatment option for erectile dysfunction is prescribed based on the cause and severity of your disorder as well as underlying health conditions.
Erectile dysfunction is the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex. If this happens infrequently, you should not worry.
Having erection trouble from time to time isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. If erectile dysfunction is an ongoing issue, however, it can cause stress, affect your self-confidence and contribute to relationship problems. Problems getting or keeping an erection can also be a sign of an underlying health condition that needs treatment and a risk factor for heart disease.
If you’re concerned about erectile dysfunction, talk to our doctor — even if you’re embarrassed. Sometimes, treating an underlying condition is enough to reverse erectile dysfunction. In other cases, medications or other direct treatments might be needed.
Read about overcoming erection issues here.
Symptoms
Erectile dysfunction symptoms might include persistent:
- trouble getting an erection;
- trouble keeping an erection;
- reduced sexual desire.
When to see a doctor
Our Male Enhancement Center is the place to start resolving your erectile problems. See a doctor if:
- you have concerns about your erections or you’re experiencing other sexual problems such as premature or delayed ejaculation;
- you have diabetes, heart disease, or another known health condition that might be linked to erectile dysfunction;
- you have other symptoms along with erectile dysfunction.
How is erectile dysfunction (ED) diagnosed?
Because there are a variety of causes for ED, there are several different tests your doctor may use to diagnose the condition and determine its cause. Only after the cause of ED is determined can it be effectively treated.
Before ordering any tests, your doctor will review your medical history and perform a thorough physical examination. The doctor will also “interview” you about your personal and sexual history. Some of these questions will be very personal and may feel intrusive. However, it is important that you answer these questions honestly. The questions asked may include:
- What medications or drugs are you currently using? This includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, herbals, dietary supplements, and illegal drugs.
- Have you had any psychological problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression?
- When did you first notice symptoms of ED?
- What are the frequency, quality, and duration of any erections you have had?
- What are the specifics of the circumstances under which ED first occurred?
- Do/did you experience erections at night or during the morning?
- What sexual techniques do you use?
- Are there problems in your current relationship?
The doctor may also wish to interview your sexual partner since your partner may be able to offer insight into the underlying causes.
For many people, a physical exam and answering questions (medical history) are all that’s needed for a doctor to diagnose erectile dysfunction and recommend a treatment.
If you have chronic health conditions or a doctor suspects that an underlying condition might be involved, you might need further tests or a consultation with a specialist.
Tests for underlying conditions might include:
- Physical exam. This might include careful examination of your penis and testicles and checking your nerves for sensation.
- Blood tests. A sample of your blood might be sent to a lab to check for signs of heart disease, diabetes, low testosterone levels, and other health conditions.
- Urine tests (urinalysis). Like blood tests, urine tests are used to look for signs of diabetes and other underlying health conditions.
- Ultrasound. This test is usually performed by a specialist in an office. It involves using a wand-like device (transducer) held over the blood vessels that supply the penis. It creates a video image to let a doctor see if you have blood flow problems. This test is sometimes done in combination with an injection of medications into the penis to stimulate blood flow and produce an erection.
- Psychological exam. A doctor might ask questions to screen for depression and other possible psychological causes of erectile dysfunction.
If you have any questions about how to improve your potency, please contact our doctors. You can apply for a free consultation by filling out this contact form.