Diagnosis of Erectile Dysfunction
In one sense, it isn't necessary to diagnose erectile dysfunction at all. As a symptom of an underlying condition, it presents itself with tragic obviousness. As such, it's the underlying cause that is diagnosed, not ED. In other circumstances, it often is unnecessary to diagnose the fundamental cause of the impotence, since most treatments will be the same in any case.
But an array of tests and methods exist to handle both situations.
The ability of human males to achieve erection depends on a number of interrelated factors. Arousal is basic. But that has two components, physical and mental. A breakdown in either can lead to ED. Hence physicians diagnosing it will often focus on both.
The physical factors that interfere with normal erection are diverse. Diagnostic tests will therefore look for such things as cardiovascular and neurological issues. Damage to the blood vessels that feed the pelvis is one common problem. Weakness in the nerve signals that stimulate erection can be checked. Endocrine tests to check hormone levels are a common diagnostic procedure.
Cavernosometry is a common test employed, since it measures penile vascular pressure. About seven times the usual amount of blood flows into the spongy tissue in the penis during erection. Anything which blocks that process can lead to ED. During the test a dye is injected into the blood vessels to observe blood flow into and out of the penis.
Neurological tests can cover a wide range. Less commonly, spinal cord injuries or brain tumors may interfere with normal function. In the usual instance, insensitivity in the nerves more directly related to the genitals is checked for. Trauma, certain drugs or medications, and other issues may be the underlying cause.
Since there are a substantial number of diseases, some quite common, that can produce erectile dysfunction, physicians will test for those if the patient displays other symptoms. Diabetes, for example, is becoming increasingly common and at ever younger ages as the population grows more obese on average. Simple blood sugar tests can reveal it.
In some cases, the physician may forgo some of the available expensive, painful or inconvenient tests because the cause is either fairly obvious or the treatment may be the same regardless.
When a man has had prostate cancer surgery, and subsequently shortly thereafter complains of erectile dysfunction, some doctors will simply skip the tests. Similarly, if a person reveals a history of drug use or chronic, high alcohol consumption there may be little reason to look further. Some physicians believe it's pointless to endure the trouble and expense of tests when the cause is so tragically evident.
Also, when the treatment is the same, further diagnosis may be unwarranted. Whether that treatment is simply time or a prescription of Viagra, if all likely causes suggest the same treatment, further diagnosis is often unnecessary.