How is erectile dysfunction diagnosed?

In life, there are plenty of assessments we have to take. From GCSEs, to driving tests, to university exams and more. But one that’s rarely talked about? An erectile dysfunction (ED) assessment.

It’s normal for most penis-owners to experience trouble getting (or keeping) an erection occasionally. Going soft every now and again could be put down to factors, like work stress, tiredness, drinking too much, or due to a medication side effect–– while consistent problems may have an underlying cause, like high blood pressure.

The type of ED assessment or investigation needed will depend on the individual circumstances of the patient. And while opening up about your problems down there to a healthcare professional may feel strange, this assessment is about ruling things out––helping you better understand what’s going on below the belt.

Read on to discover what’s involved in an ED assessment and when it might be the right time to consider one.

What is an ED assessment?

If you have erectile concerns, your GP or a healthcare professional at a sexual health clinic, for example, will conduct an assessment that typically involves a combination of discussion, examination, and non-invasive physical assessments if a need is determined.

There’s not one single assessment to definitively diagnose ED, which is defined as the persistent or recurrent difficulty getting or maintaining an erection firm enough for sex.

When might an ED assessment be needed

The good news? This isn’t the kind of assessment you’ll need to study hard for. The NHS generally recommends speaking to your GP or booking an appointment at a sexual health clinic if your symptoms are persistent.

From there, a medical professional will be able to conduct several precautionary assessments to identify any underlying physical causes, which are prevalent in 90% of cases––with conditions like cardiovascular (heart) disease and diabetes being a primary underlying cause.

What happens at a GP appointment?

Unbuckling your belt in front of anyone may leave you feeling red-faced. But rest assured, when it comes to your GP appointment, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about.

During your session, the doctor or nurse might:

• Ask questions about your lifestyle or relationship history
• Ask about any psychosexual factors that may be impacting your sex life
• Do some basic health checks, like testing your blood pressure
• Examine your genitals for an obvious physical cause
• Examine your prostate if you report needing to urinate more often than usual
• Order any blood tests that might be relevant

From there, your doctor will be best placed to recommend necessary lifestyle changes, prescribe medication, or even complete a referral for psychosexual counselling.

Blood tests for ED

Most doctors might arrange a routine urine test and a few precautionary blood tests to assess for an underlying cause of cardiovascular risk. These might check for levels of:

• Blood sugar
• Cholesterol
• Testosterone
• Additional hormones

Depending on the results, they may also arrange additional investigations, to assess:

• Thyroid function
• Liver function
• Kidney function tests
• Prostate cancer risk

Whatever the outcome, your doctor will be able to answer your questions or allay any concerns that may arise during the diagnostic process.

What to do next

After an assessment, either you or your GP will book a follow-up appointment to discuss the results and any treatment options that might be needed. For example:

• Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or reducing alcohol consumption
• Medication, like sildenafil
• Counselling or therapy

Whatever the cause, it’s important to remember that treatment can usually help improve ED––and with the right treatment plan for them, many patients may be able to fully, or at least partially, recover from ED during their life.

Put ED to the test

Medical assessments may be stressful––but when it comes to ED, it’s beneficial to discuss your symptoms with a healthcare professional to get to the root of the problem. Thankfully, preliminary checks may be relatively non-invasive and once they’re done, treatment can begin.

But in the meantime, sex doesn’t have to stop completely. There are plenty of ways you can explore intimacy beyond erections.

Durex Sildenafil 50mg film-coated tablets. For erectile dysfunction problems in adult men. Always read the label. Ask your pharmacist if this medicine is suitable for you.

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