Diagnosing Erectile Dysfunction

Overview

To diagnose erectile dysfunction (ED), healthcare providers may perform the following examinations, tests, or procedures:

  • Medical and sexual history: Healthcare providers will ask about your medical history, including any medications you're taking, and inquire about your sexual history to understand potential psychological or emotional factors contributing to ED.
  • Mental health assessment: A healthcare provider may use a questionnaire and personal questions to assess any psychological or emotional issues that could be causing ED. They may also involve your sexual partner in the discussion.
  • Physical exam: A healthcare provider will conduct a physical exam to check for any physical causes of ED. This may involve examining the penis for sensitivity, looking for abnormalities like Peyronie's disease, checking for hormonal problems, and assessing circulation through blood pressure and pulse measurements.
  • Lab tests: Blood tests can help identify underlying conditions contributing to ED, such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, chronic kidney disease, or hormonal imbalances.
  • Imaging tests: Doppler ultrasound can detect poor blood flow in the penis, providing insights into vascular causes of ED. In some cases, an intracavernous injection test (IIT) with Erection Hardness Score (EHS) assessment or penile Doppler ultrasound (PDU) may be necessary for further evaluation.

Specialists involved in diagnosing ED may include urologists, endocrinologists, or cardiologists depending on the suspected underlying cause.

To determine the type, severity, or stage of ED and identify factors contributing to it, additional examinations or tests may include:

  • Nocturnal erection test: This test assesses if you have erections during sleep. It involves wearing a plastic device around the penis to measure nighttime erections. An electronic monitoring device can record erection firmness, duration, and frequency.

These diagnostic procedures help doctors understand the underlying causes and severity of ED and guide appropriate treatment options tailored to your individual situation.

What medical and sexual history should I provide to help diagnose my erectile dysfunction?

What physical exams or tests will be performed to determine the cause of my erectile dysfunction?

Are there any additional examinations or tests that may be necessary to understand the severity and underlying factors contributing to my erectile dysfunction?