Erectile Dysfunction Diagnosis

Erectile dysfunction diagnosis would generally require one or more following things. (Take Viagra erectile dysfunction quiz if you aren't sure about yourself).

Patient History:

Medical and sexual histories help define the degree and nature of ED. A medical history can disclose diseases that lead to ED, while a simple recounting of sexual activity might distinguish between problems with sexual desire, erection, ejaculation, or orgasm.

Physical Examination

A physical examination can give clues to systemic problems. For example, if the penis is not sensitive to touching, a problem in the nervous system may be the cause. Abnormal secondary sex characteristics, such as hair pattern, can point to hormonal problems, which would mean that the endocrine system is involved. The examiner might discover a circulatory problem by observing decreased pulses in the wrist or ankles. And unusual characteristics of the penis itself could suggest the source of the problem--for example, a penis that bends or curves when erect could be the result of Peyronie's disease.

Laboratory Tests

Several laboratory tests can help diagnose Erectile Dysfunction (ED). Tests for systemic diseases include blood counts, urinalysis, lipid profile, and measurements of creatinine and liver enzymes. Measuring the amount of testosterone in the blood can yield information about problems with the endocrine system and is indicated especially in patients with decreased sexual desire. Some of the tests generally employed in erectile dysfunction diagnosis are:

• Blood Tests and Urinalysis
• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Liver and Kidney Function Tests
• Thyroid Function Tests
• Erectile Function Tests
• Duplex Ultrasound
• Prostate Examination using a digital rectal examination (DRE), Penile Nerve Function using bulbocavernosus reflex test
• Nocturnal Penile Tumescence (NPT)
• Penile Biothesiometry
• Vasoactive Injection

Other Tests:

Monitoring erections that occur during sleep (nocturnal penile tumescence) can help rule out certain psychological causes of Erectile Dysfunction (ED). Healthy men have involuntary erections during sleep. If nocturnal erections do not occur, then Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is likely to have a physical rather than psychological cause. Tests of nocturnal erections are not completely reliable, however. Scientists have not standardized such tests and have not determined when they should be applied for best results.

Psychosocial Examination:

A psychosocial examination, using an interview and a questionnaire, reveals psychological factors. A man's sexual partner may also be interviewed to determine expectations and perceptions during sexual intercourse.