Finding the cause of your ed will help direct your treatment options. Diagnosing ed starts with your health care provider asking questions about your heart and vascular health and your erection problem. Your provider may also give you a physical exam, order lab tests or refer you to a urologist. See more see less.

To diagnose this disorder, your ohio state urologist will ask you questions about your medical and sexual history and conduct a physical examination. Based upon your individual condition, additional tests may be considered, such as blood tests, neurological testing or a psychological evaluation.

erectile dysfunction is defined as the persistent inability to achieve or maintain penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. The massachusetts male aging study surveyed 1,709 men aged 40–70 years between 1987 and 1989 and found there was a total prevalence of erectile dysfunction of 52 percent. It was estimated that, in 1995, over 152 million men worldwide experienced ed. For 2025, the prevalence of ed is predicted to be approximately 322 million worldwide. In the past, erectile dysfunction was commonly believed to be caused by psychological problems. It is now known that, for most men, erectile dysfunction is caused by physical problems, usually related to the blood supply of the penis.

Emotional Causes of ED

Ed can result from health problems, emotional issues, or from both. Some known risk factors are: being over age 50 using drugs or drinking too much alcohol being obese lacking exercise even though ed becomes more common as men age, growing old is not always going to cause ed. Some men stay sexually functional into their 80s. Ed can be an early sign of a more serious health problem. Finding and treating the reason for ed is a vital first step. Ed happens when: there is not enough blood flows into the penis many health issues can reduce blood flow into the penis, such as hardened arteries, heart disease, high blood sugar (diabetes) and smoking.

“most men who come in concerned with erectile dysfunction do have it,” dr. Newton says. He says there are three questions you can ask to help determine if you have erectile dysfunction. Do you have trouble getting an erection when desired? does the erection last long enough for satisfactory performance? is the erection too soft for penetration? if the answer is yes to any of these questions, it’s a great idea to talk to your doctor. “the number one question i get when talking about erectile dysfunction is, ‘is it common?’ most guys feel isolated and alone with this problem, in large part because despite the frequent commercials, most men don’t talk about it.

In addition to these emotional effects, ed can also have a negative impact on relationships and marriages as men with ed may avoid sexual intimacy, which can lead to distance and emotional disconnection from their partners. In an interview with ht lifestyle, dr chirag bhandari, founder of institute of andrology and sexual health, explained, “ed is hurting the younger generation by limiting their ability to start and maintain healthy relationships. Men with ed may be too self-conscious or embarrassed to pursue romantic relationships, which can lead to isolation and loneliness. Additionally, ed can also cause men to avoid sexual activity altogether, which can limit their ability to form close emotional bonds with others.

Health and ED History

The type of medical specialist who treats ed will depend on the cause of the problem. Based on your family's medical history, as well as your own medical history and current health, your doctor may treat you with oral medications (viagra®, levitra®, cialis®). If these options fail, you may be referred to a urologist who can assist with other non-surgical options such as vacuum device or injections or surgical treatment options. If needed, your doctor may also refer you to a psychologist specializing in sexual dysfunction.

Validated questionnaires quantify ed severity and the consequences of ed (e. G. , bother, sexual satisfaction, relationship impact). These instruments, or incorporation of their content as part of history and follow-up interviews, are useful to measure treatment effectiveness and to adjust management plans based on outcomes over time. They can be used to quantify unassisted erectile function compared to erectile function with treatment or across treatments (e. G. , at a different medication doses). Questionnaires also can provide an opportunity to initiate a conversation about ed when sexual concerns are not the presenting issue. Note that questionnaires will not generate a valid score for the man who is not sexually active.

To determine a cause and treatment options, physicians evaluate a patient’s detailed medical history and look for obvious causes such as medications known to be linked to erectile dysfunction. Physicians then take into account the patient’s lifestyle, such as smoking and illicit drug use, which can affect a man’s ability to obtain an erection. Other health conditions are addressed as well. Medical history is important. For example, a man who has a history of decreased sex drive may have deficient production of the male hormone testosterone. Testosterone is the hormone responsible for the physical transition into manhood. It helps with gaining muscles, facial hair, and a deeper voice.

Effectively treating ed is highly dependent on finding the root cause of the disorder. Some providers use a questionnaire to supplement their medical history and physical exam. Questionnaires may rate your ability to initiate and keep erections, gauge your satisfaction with sex, and help identify any problems with orgasm. Your healthcare provider may also order blood tests and collect a urine sample to look for health problems that may cause ed. Gathering this information will help your provider determine the best and most specific treatments for your erectile dysfunction. If the root of your ed is physical, your doctor or another healthcare provider may point out certain lifestyle-related risk factors like smoking or an unhealthy diet that you can change.

If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The articles on health guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Getting (and maintaining) an erection requires a surprising amount of things to go right. Your brain sends signals through your nerves and hormones, which have to communicate with your blood vessels and muscles before an erection can happen. If one thing goes wrong in that complicated exchange between your cardiovascular and nervous systems—not to mention your hormone levels, blood vessels, and mood—the result can be erectile dysfunction (ed).

Since the 1990s, erectile dysfunction (ed) has been recognized as a common problem. Higher rates of reporting, diagnosis, and treatment of ed have been driven by effective treatments, direct to consumer advertising, and screening by health care providers. Back to top.