Erection Problems (Erectile Dysfunction) - Exams and Tests
Posted March 17th, 2008 in Erectile Dysfunction Drugs, Generic Viagra, Sildenafil Citrate and ViagraAs part of the initial evaluation, your health viagra soft tab
may:
- Review your risk factors for an erection
problem. For more information, see the What Increases Your Risk section of this
topic. - Ask
questions about your sexual function. - Do a
complete physical examination of the abdomen, penis, prostate, rectum, and
testicles. - Do laboratory tests for:
- Erectile dysfunction
.
A low testosterone level may reduce sexual desire, leading to an erection
problem. - Prolactin. A
high level of prolactin (hyperprolactinemia) may indicate a small tumor in the
brain, which can affect other hormone levels in the body. When hormone levels
are affected, an erection problem may result. - Thyroid hormone. Either a high or low level of thyroid
hormone may cause problems with sexual desire or erections. - Blood glucose. Elevated blood sugar (glucose) levels
may indicate the presence of
diabetes, which can contribute to
erection problems.
- Erectile dysfunction
At this point, oral medications such as
Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis are often recommended
unless an easily treated cause (such as a medication side effect or
testosterone deficiency) has been identified. If oral medications do not work
or your doctor feels more testing is necessary, he or she may recommend:
-
Specific tests for erection problems, such as a
nocturnal penile tumescence testing (rigidity test) and an intracavernosal
injection test. These both help determine whether physical or generic erectile dysfunction drugs
factors are causing your erection problem. - A psychological
evaluation, if a psychological issue is suspected.
An
ultrasound may be done if your doctor suspects you
have a circulation problem (peripheral arterial disease). Even if
the blood vessels cannot be repaired, it may be helpful to know if you have
this condition because it may indicate you have a risk for other blood vessel
(vascular) problems. In very rare instances, you may have erectile dysfunction new drugs
X-ray
test of blood flow through an artery. Its usefulness is limited because
treatment to repair the blood vessels that supply blood to the penis is
appropriate for very few men.