Over 50 percent of all men experience erectile dysfunction at some point during their lives. If you only have it on occasion, there isn’t a lot of cause for alarm. Stress and other outside factors can make it difficult to maintain an erection.
If you feel like you’re having problems in the bedroom more often than not, it might be time for you to have a doctor run a few erectile dysfunction tests.
There is a wide range of exams that your urology doctor can perform right there in their office. We can walk you through them, so you know what to expect. Keep reading to learn more.
Self-Report
A self-report is less of an exam and more of an evaluation of your medical history. It’s a good idea to disclose everything.
Talk about any past surgeries you’ve had, injuries you’ve suffered from, and medications that you’re taking. Your doctor might be able to use the info you give them to pinpoint a cause for your erectile dysfunction symptoms.
The doctor may also ask you questions about your relationship, and life, in general. That will allow them to determine if the issue is a simple mental block.
Physical Exam
Most doctors will follow up the self-report with a physical exam. They’ll check over your testicles and penis to make sure everything is in good working order. They’ll look for nerve damage.
Your doctor will check your vitals to see if your blood flow is normal. They’ll also take your blood pressure and look for signs of hormonal issues like hair loss.
Blood and Urine Tests
If an issue comes up during your physical exam, the doctor will want to run a few blood and urine tests.
These tests will look for common medical conditions that lead to ED, such as kidney disease, diabetes, and heart disease.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound will tell the doctor if you have an adequate amount of blood flowing to your penis.
The doctor will hold a wand over you. It lets out sound waves that will take a short video of your blood vessels.
Injection Test
Most of the time, an injection test will be used alongside the ultrasound. The doctor will inject trimix into the base of your penis.
That should be enough to give you an erection. If it doesn’t, there’s a good chance that you’ve got some blood flow issues going on.
Overnight Test
Most men have more than a few erections during the night. To check and see if you’re getting them (or can), your doctor may administer an overnight test.
You’ll have to strap a small device to your penis before you go to bed. It will record the number of erections that you get while you sleep.
Erectile Dysfunction Tests That Will Get to the Bottom of Your Problem
If you’ve got ED problems, you’re not alone. Many men suffer from it at some point.
If it’s beginning to get in the way of your quality of life, your urologist can administer a series of erectile dysfunction tests. These exams can get to the bottom of the issue and allow your doctor to find a solution.
For more tips that will help you take your life back from ED, visit the Health section of our blog.
