Questions Regarding Getting a Diagnosis for Erectile Dysfunction
Men who have taken the step to seek medical advise for issues with erections may have questions regarding the process involved with getting a diagnosis. Here is a brief overview of what you may expect to happen when you see the doctor.
Coming up with a diagnosis is a multiple step process that involves filling out a questionnaire, giving a medical history and a sexual activity history, a physical exam, laboratory tests and specialized tests. The diagnosis is given after the doctor obtains the results of all of these processes.
Medical and Sexual Histories:
These are important because they can reveal clues as to the cause of the dysfunction. The medical history may tell the doctor diseases that you have had that may have some bearing on erectile dysfunction (ED). Discussing your sexual activity with your doctor may help your doctor to understand problems associated with ejaculation, erection, orgasm and also sexual desire; all of which are important when it comes to understanding the scope of the problem.
It will also be important to let your doctor know about any prescription or non-prescription drugs you have been taking including over-the-counter and street drugs because some medications or combinations of medications can affect sexual ability. Approximately 25% of ED cases are attributed to drug side effects. If this is found to be the cause of your ED, your doctor can cut back on, or substitute certain medications for others to clear up the problem.
The Physical Exam:
A medical exam is necessary as it can reveal systemic medical problems. A penis that is not sensitive to the touch may indicate problems with your nervous system. Findings of abnormal secondary sex characteristics such as hair pattern or breast enlargement may indicate hormonal problems that may involve the endocrine system. If you have decreased pulses int he wrist or ankles, it may indicate that you have a circulatory problem. There may also be physical issues with the penis itself that may be the cause of the problem such as a penis that curves when it is erect which is an indication of Peyronie’s disease.
Laboratory Tests:
Your doctor will schedule some laboratory tests that will also give him some clues as to what may be going on including blood counts, a urinalysis, a lipid profile, and creatinine measurements that will indicate how your liver enzymes are. A test will usually also be done to determine how much free testosterone is in your bloodstream.
Specialized Tests:
Nocturnal Penile Tumescence will usually be conducted to determine if you are experiencing erections during your sleep. Sexually healthy men have involuntary erections while they are asleep. If this test reveals that you do not have nocturnal erections than it may be an indication that the cause of your dysfunction is physical.
A psychosocial examination may be ordered to help reveal any psychological factors that may be related to the erection issue. The sexual partner should be asked to be interviewed as part of this specialized test as the answers could also be helpful in arriving at a diagnosis.
What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
There can be several causes for erectile dysfunction (ED), but the most common one is damage to the arteries, nerves or smooth muscles and/or fibrous tissue. Other causes could be anything that would disrupt the normal flow of events leading to an erection and also psychological factors.
There is an exact flow of events that are in a sequence leading up to the erection. Any one of these events can be disrupted by past surgery, disease, or damage from injuries sustained in an accident.
The sequence of events are:
Brain, spinal column and penal area nerve impulses
Muscles, fibrous tissue, veins and arteries respond to the nerve impulses.
Other medical conditions can cause ED. Your lifestyle can also be a contributing factor for ED. Medications that you take can have an impact on ED too.
Medical Conditions:
Certain medical conditions can cause damage to the nerves, arteries, fibrous tissue or smooth muscles resulting in erectile dysfunction. These diseases include: atherosclerosis, chronic alcoholism, diabetes, kidney disease, neurological diseases and multiple sclerosis.
Approximately 70% of all cases of erectile dysfunction are caused by medical conditions.
Hormonal abnormalities can also cause ED.
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