Erectile dysfunction is an issue that occurs when you can’t achieve an erection adequate enough for sexual intercourse. While this happens from time to time to almost every man, it becomes a serious issue when it’s recurring. ED can cause frustration, anxiety, and self-consciousness. It can also cause intimacy issues with your partner.

Fortunately, ED is a treatable condition, and most patients experience significant improvement in symptoms with the guidance and treatment recommendation of a doctor. However, before you get to this step, it is important to get an accurate diagnosis.

Here is how doctors check for ED

Medical History, Medications, and Lifestyle Discussion

The diagnosis process will begin with a thorough medical history assessment. This is important because many health conditions can cause or exasperate ED. Many health problems are directly related to ED, so if you have certain conditions, the likelihood of developing ED increases. Examples of such conditions include heart disease, Peyronie’s disease, multiple sclerosis, depression, and diabetes.



Your doctor will also review all of the medications you take. Many medications can increase your risk of ED. Examples include antiarrhythmic drugs, antidepressants, hormones, anticonvulsants, and antihypertensives. Oftentimes, simply changing the medications can reduce ED incidents and give your intimacy much-needed normalcy.

Your doctor will also discuss your lifestyle with you. If you take drugs or drink excessive amounts of alcohol, your risk of developing ED increases. If you deal with a lot of stress or anxiety, your risk also increases. Finally, if you have relationship problems with your partner, the likelihood of ED also increases.

Finding the underlying cause or related factors is just as important for diagnosis as it is for the treatment of ED. In most cases, getting the underlying cause under control significantly reduces ED symptoms.

Physical Exam

Oftentimes, doctors will recommend performing a physical examination to check for abnormalities that could explain why you are experiencing erectile dysfunction symptoms. During the exam, your doctor will check for irregularities in nerve sensation, shape, color, and more.

Urinalysis

A urinalysis consists of your doctor requesting a urine specimen. Your doctor may ask you to get this test done to check for any health problems that you may not be aware of, such as diabetes. While urinalysis is not necessarily a surefire way to diagnose ED, it can help rule out other health conditions or highlight problems that may otherwise go ignored.

Blood Testing

Similar to urinalysis, a blood test can help highlight underlying problems that could be contributing to ED. Examples include diabetes, high cholesterol, kidney and liver issues, and hormone imbalance. While a blood test will not directly result in an ED diagnosis, it can help your doctor understand your health profile better, which can assist in getting you the right diagnosis for your symptoms.

At RinoWave, we understand how important healthy intimacy is for your relationship, health, and quality of life. As such, when issues like erectile dysfunction develop, we take it seriously. We will perform a thorough examination to find the underlying cause of your symptoms. Then, we will work with you to get the cause under control, employing ED treatments where necessary, to get you back the intimacy you desire.