Diagnosis of Erectile Dysfunction?

Occasional impotence is common in men, and can be caused by anxiety or worry, stress, mental tension or the temporary side effect of some medications. If, however, you notice erectile dysfunction lasts longer than a couple of weeks, or it recurs often, it’s always best to seek medical advice, either from your regular doctor or a specialist.

The good news here is that erectile dysfunction can often be treated, if you are willing to seek help. Discuss your fears with your partner, and talk candidly with your doctor.
Don’t let shame keep you from receiving treatment that may improve your impotence and your self-esteem. Your doctor will likely perform some tests and examinations to rule out the common causes of erectile dysfunction or impotence in Men:

Patient history

A proper identification and examination of erectile dysfunction is done in men who have expressed again lack of ability to maintain or achieve an erection for satisfactory sexual performance for at least past 3 weeks. An open communication between the patient and the doctor is important in determining the identifying a disease from its symptoms diagnosis of erectile dysfunction, assessing its severity, and determining the cause.

Physical examination

An extensive physical examination can exhibit clues for physical causes of erectile dysfunction. For example, if the penis does not react as expected to by make contact with, no feeling on touching, a problem in the nervous system may be the cause.
Lack of facial hairs, Small testicles, and enlarged breasts can indicate or direct to hormonal problems such as hypogonadism this mainly occurs due to low levels of testosterone.
A reduced blood flow to the lower Pelvic region as a result of atherosclerosis (disease characterized by cholesterol deposits in the arteries) can sometimes be diagnosed by finding decreased arterial blood pulses in the legs or listening with a stethoscope for bruits (noise of blood flow through narrowed arteries).
Uncommon characteristics of the penis itself could suggest the root of the erectile dysfunction, for example, twisting or lean down of the penis during erection could be the result of Peyronie’s disease (growth or formation of fibrous plaques in the soft tissue of the penis).

Laboratory tests

Common laboratory tests to evaluate erectile dysfunction include:

Chemical or microscopic analysis of urine (Urinalysis): Urine and blood sugar tests will rule out diabetes and kidney damage, a common cause of erectile dysfunction. Blood flow and blood pressure in the penis can be checked.

Lipid profile: A high level or increased level of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) in the blood promotes atherosclerosis again a common cause of erectile dysfunction.

Blood glucose levels: A high irregular blood glucose levels may be a sign of diabetes mellitus.

Serum creatinine: An irregular serum creatinine level (A chemical found in the blood and passed in the urine. A test of the amount of creatinine in blood or
in blood and urine shows if the kidney is working right or if it is diseased. This is called the creatinine clearance test.) may be the result of kidney damage due to diabetes cause of erectile dysfunction.

Low testosterone (male sexual hormone) levels: A low total testosterone level suggests hypogonadism especially in obese men and men with liver problems again a common cause of erectile dysfunction.

PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels: substance secreted by the epithelial cells in the prostate (often tested as an indicator for prostate cancer) can make erectile dysfunction worse.

Psychosocial examination: A psychosocial examination (involving both social and psychological factors; pertaining to the role of society in psychological development) an interview and questionnaire may reveal psychological factors contributing to erectile dysfunction, partner also may be interviewed to determine perceptions and expectations face during sexual intercourse.

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