ED Diagnosis Process: What to Expect
Understanding the comprehensive evaluation process for erectile dysfunction, from initial consultation to specialized testing and diagnosis.
Diagnosis Overview
Diagnosing erectile dysfunction involves a comprehensive evaluation to identify the underlying causes and determine the most appropriate treatment approach. The process typically includes medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and sometimes specialized procedures.
Step-by-Step Diagnosis Process
Initial Consultation
Medical History Review
Your doctor will ask detailed questions about your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle factors.
Questions About:
- • When symptoms started
- • Frequency of problems
- • Quality of erections
- • Morning erections
- • Sexual desire level
Medical History:
- • Current medications
- • Past surgeries
- • Chronic conditions
- • Lifestyle factors
- • Psychological factors
Physical Examination
Comprehensive Physical Exam
General Examination:
- • Blood pressure measurement
- • Heart rate and rhythm
- • Weight and BMI
- • Signs of diabetes
- • Cardiovascular assessment
Genital Examination:
- • Penis and testicle examination
- • Prostate evaluation (if indicated)
- • Nerve function testing
- • Blood vessel assessment
- • Signs of Peyronie's disease
Laboratory Tests
Blood Tests
Standard Tests:
- • Testosterone levels - Total and free testosterone
- • Blood glucose - Diabetes screening
- • Cholesterol panel - Cardiovascular risk
- • Complete blood count - General health
- • Kidney function - Creatinine levels
Additional Tests (if needed):
- • Thyroid function - TSH levels
- • Prolactin levels - Hormone balance
- • PSA test - Prostate health
- • HbA1c - Long-term blood sugar
- • Vitamin D - Deficiency screening
Specialized Testing (If Needed)
Nocturnal Penile Tumescence (NPT) Test
Measures erections during sleep to distinguish between physical and psychological causes.
Penile Doppler Ultrasound
Evaluates blood flow to the penis before and after injection of a vasodilator medication.
Intracavernosal Injection Test
Direct injection of medication into the penis to test erectile response and blood flow.
Psychological Evaluation
Assessment for depression, anxiety, stress, and relationship factors that may contribute to ED.
Diagnostic Questionnaires
Standardized Assessment Tools
IIEF-5 (International Index of Erectile Function)
A 5-question survey that assesses erectile function over the past 6 months.
Scoring: 22-25 (No ED), 17-21 (Mild), 12-16 (Mild-Moderate), 8-11 (Moderate), 5-7 (Severe)
Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM)
A simplified version of the IIEF-5 used for screening and monitoring treatment response.
Used for: Initial screening, treatment monitoring, and research studies
Preparing for Your Appointment
Before Your Visit:
Prepare Information About:
- • All current medications and supplements
- • Medical history and past surgeries
- • Family history of heart disease or diabetes
- • Lifestyle habits (smoking, drinking, exercise)
- • Relationship and stress factors
Questions to Ask Your Doctor:
- • What might be causing my ED?
- • What tests do I need?
- • What treatment options are available?
- • Are there lifestyle changes I should make?
- • When should I expect improvement?
After Diagnosis
Once your doctor has completed the evaluation, they'll discuss the findings and recommend appropriate treatment options based on the underlying causes of your ED.