Discover your testing options in David Hopper's "Should You Use an At-Home Test to Check for ED?"
Diagnosis of Erectile Dysfunction
Understand how an erectile dysfunction diagnosis is given.
The most common symptoms of ED are difficulty getting and maintaining an erection. When you visit your doctor to report these symptoms, it is essential you are completely open and honest to ensure the correct diagnosis for the cause of your erectile dysfunction.
It is important to note that erectile dysfunction can be caused by underlying illnesses, and the diagnosis of ED can lead to the discovery of more serious, chronic conditions including heart disease, diabetes, neurological issues, and low testosterone levels. The tests below specifically diagnose erectile dysfunction, however, not any of the underlying conditions. If your doctor suspects your ED is caused by an underlying physiological condition, they may conduct more tests to get to the bottom of what is causing your erectile dysfunction.
Before you get too concerned about ED, take note that not every man's performance problem is the result of a physical issue. Other factors that a test can't diagnose often contribute to ED. Some of the most cited causes of ED include psychologically induced ED, momentary stress, certain prescription drugs and even the dreaded "whiskey dick" after knocking back a few too many.
If you've experienced any of these potential causes of temporary ED or a strong erection is rarely an issue, you can probably forego testing. But if you're consistently having trouble achieving or maintaining an erection, an ED test is recommended.
Below are different testing options that a doctor might employ to make an ED diagnosis. Your doctor might run one or all of these tests, depending on the findings of each round of testing. Don’t be afraid - all of these tests, if they lead to a diagnosis of erectile dysfunction, put you one step closer to finding a treatment option that works for you.
Physical exam
Diagnosis of ED often begins with a physical examination of your testicles and penis, which is less invasive than you might expect. Typically, it consists of checking your blood pressure, heartbeat and pulse, coupled with a quick visual or physical examination of your penis and testicles to look for any abnormalities, including a test for nerve sensitivity.
Erection self-test
Another test a doctor might use to diagnose ED is the erection self-test, also known as the nocturnal penile tumescence test/stamp test. To conduct this exam, buy a few postage stamps that are still connected—usually four to six, though the number you'll need depends on your girth. Before you go to sleep, pull your penis out, lick one stamp and create a ring around the circumference of your member, overlapping the licked stamp with the other end of the stamp strip to create a sealed ring. The self-test analyzes whether or not you're getting nocturnal erections, as men without ED typically experience three to five of these a night. If you wake up and the stamps are broken, you may not have ED, but if they're still in place, you may want to contact your doctor.
Blood test
Your primary care physician may order blood work to look for any abnormalities to explain your erectile dysfunction. Blood tests can show whether your testosterone and liver enzyme levels are normal if you have markers indicating heart disease or abnormal endocrine levels, among other things.
Penile injection test
A penile injection test, which can be used for diagnosis or treatment of ED, is also fairly common. The doctor injects medicine around the base of the penis to see if you get an erection. The injection is sometimes accompanied by an ultrasound, which involves holding a wand-like device over the blood vessels that supply the penis to create a video image of any possible blood flow problems.
Ultrasound
A doctor may also order a penile Doppler ultrasound, which involves holding a wand-like device over the blood vessels that supply the penis to create a video image of any possible blood flow problems. This test evaluates the extent of erectile dysfunction by determining the amount of blood flowing into and out of the penis during and after an erection. If there is too little blood flow into the penis during an erection, or too much blood flow out of the penis, ED will occur.
Psychological questionnaire
Finally, your primary care physician may ask you questions to find out if any psychological factors may be causing your erectile dysfunction.
Is your limp response to booze a one-night thing or a persistent problem? Figure out “How to Tell If It’s Erectile Dysfunction or ‘Whiskey Dick’” in this piece by G. Clay Whittaker.
What to expect during an ED test
Depending on which ED test your doctor recommends, you'll need to mentally prepare yourself. However, most tests don't induce a high level of stress.
For a physical examination, just think back to the days of your youth. The sports physical with the "turn your head to the side and cough" exam is a similar sensation, but perhaps less intrusive. Conversely, the self-test won't cause any discomfort at all, and the trip to the post office might be on your to-do list anyway.
Blood and urine tests are relatively straightforward, requiring you to pee in a bottle or give blood. You'll feel a slight needle prick when you're giving blood, but it's no different than when you have routine blood work done.
The one test that scares men is the injection test, but don't worry too much. You'll feel the insertion of the needle, which is similar to giving blood. After that, you shouldn't experience any pain. If you do, let your doctor know immediately.
How to prepare for an ED test
Before any of these tests, you should make at least two concessions for accurate results: Don't drink alcohol for 24 hours and keep a positive mindset. Both of these actions can help you find the true results of your ED test.
If you're diagnosed with ED, don't sweat it too much. Major advancements in ED treatments, including lifestyle changes, prescription drugs and wearable devices, have made the condition much more manageable. Communicate your concerns with your partner and your doctor. When you discover how to solve this issue, you'll realize the ED test was completely worth the effort.