Erectile Dysfunction Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Be prepared to identify every medication you are taking. As many as 25% of erectile dysfunction cases are due to medicines. Expect questions about the frequency, quality, and duration of your erections. Your answers may help determine if primarily psychological and/or physiological factors are causing your impotence.

The doctor will examine your penis, testes, and rectum. If a physical cause is suspected, laboratory tests may be ordered. The following factors will be evaluated:

• Routine laboratory tests—Blood count, urinalysis, and a battery of blood chemistry tests will evaluate your general health.

• Testosterone—If you are over 50 years old or if your doctor suspects hypogonadism (small testes and reduced bodily hair), a blood test for testosterone will be ordered.

• Endocrine tests—Other endocrine tests may be ordered, such as TSH, prolactin, and fasting blood sugar.

• Nocturnal erections—Potent men have spontaneous erections at night. If you do not remember them because you were asleep, there are devices that can measure and record them.

• Psychology—There are always psychological factors associated with sexual functioning, whether they are the cause or just a result. You and possibly your partner may be given a questionnaire to help determine what emotional and psychological factors may be contributing to your condition.

• Screening for Erectile Dysfunction

References:

Guay AT, Spark RF, Bansal S, et al. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists medical guidelines for clinical practice for the evaluation and treatment of male sexual dysfunction: a couple’s problem. 2003 update. Endocr Pract.2003;9:77-95.

National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases. Erectile dysfunction. National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/ED /. Accessed August 8, 2010.

Sivalingam S, Hashim H, Schwaibold H. An overview of the diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction. Drugs.2006;66:2339-2355.

Webber R. Erectile dysfunction. Clinical Evidence.2005;13:1120-1127.