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How is erectile dysfunction diagnosed?

Diagnosis of erectile dysfunction is based on physical exams and medical questionnaire. Tests used in making a diagnosis of erectile dysfunction may include: lipid tests, blood counts, urinalysis. Psychological examination which includes interview and a questionnaire helps to determine psychological factors. Medical questionnaire might reveal problems with sexual desire, orgasm, ejaculation and erection.

Medical history helps to determine the degree and causes of erectile dysfunction. It can identify the diseases which could provoke erectile dysfunction.

The use of certain prescription medications is one of the main causes of ED. Nearly 25% of all erectile dysfunction cases are associated with drug therapy. By substituting certain medications, the problem is usually alleviated. Physical examination is very important as well. For example, if there are problems with sensitivity of penis to touch, there can be neurological diseases. Disorders of secondary characteristics such as breast enlargement, can point at a hormonal imbalance.

Your doctor can determine if your problem is caused by disorder of the circulatory system by observing decreased heart rate in the wrist or ankles. Certain characteristics of the penis can also point to erection problems. For example, anatomical deformation (Peyronie's diseases) may result in problems with erection achievement.

In some cases your health care provider may suggest monitoring of erection that occurs during sleep. Nocturnal penile tumescence tests can help to reveal certain psychological causes of erectile dysfunction. Usually healthy men have regular and involuntary erections during sleep. If these involuntary erections do not occur, problems with erection are more likely associated with physiological causes. However, tests of nocturnal erections are not completely reliable.