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Erectile Dysfunction Diagnosis and Treatment
How is Erectile Dysfunction (impotence)
diagnosed?
Patient History
Medical and sexual histories help define the degree and nature of impotence.
A medical history can disclose diseases that lead to impotence. A simple
recounting of sexual activity might distinguish between problems with
erection, ejaculation, orgasm, or sexual desire, the many aspects of sexual
dysfunction.
A history of using certain prescription drugs or illegal drugs can suggest
a chemical cause. Drug effects account for 25 percent of cases of impotence.
Cutting back on or substituting certain medications often can alleviate
the problem.
Physical Examination
A physical examination can give clues for systemic problems. For example,
if the penis does not respond as expected to certain touching, a problem
in the nervous system may be a cause. Abnormal secondary sex characteristics,
such as hair pattern, can point to hormonal problems, which would mean
the endocrine system is involved. A circulatory problem might be indicated
by, for example, an aneurysm in the abdomen. And unusual characteristics
of the penis itself could suggest the root of the impotence–for example,
bending of the penis during erection could be the result of Peyronie’s
disease.
Laboratory Tests
Several laboratory tests can help diagnose impotence. Tests for systemic
diseases include blood counts, urinalysis, lipid profile, and measurements
of creatinine and liver enzymes. For cases of low sexual desire, measurement
of testosterone in the blood can yield information about problems with
the endocrine system.
Other Tests
Monitoring erections that occur during sleep (nocturnal penile tumescence)
can help rule out certain psychological causes of impotence. Healthy men
have involuntary erections during sleep. If nocturnal erections do not
occur, then the cause of Erectile dysfunction is likely to be physical
rather than psychological. Tests of nocturnal erections are not completely
reliable, however. Scientists have not standardized such tests and have
not determined when they should be applied for best results.
Psychosocial Examination
A psychosocial examination, using an interview and questionnaire,
reveals psychological factors. The man’s sexual partner also may
be interviewed to determine expectations and perceptions encountered during
sexual intercourse. Also, sexual dysfunction can be a result of relationship
problems.
How is erectile dysfunction (impotence) treated?
There are several ways to treat impotency. Not every method is right for
every person, and you may need to take a trial and error approach. Some
of the various methods are:
1. Psychotherapy for psychological causes
2. Drug therapy, such as Viagra, oral testosterone, and injections
3. Vacuum devices
4. Surgery in severe cases
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Xenical