If you've experienced a problem having an erection, you may well have simply ignored it out of embarrassment. After all, it's not exactly the type of issue you want to bring up with your doctor, and even if you did, you may well wonder whether there's anything to be done about it.
Despite what you may not want to do, erectile dysfunction (ED) is definitely worth discussing with your health care provider because once a cause for your problem is found, help is available. Additionally, problems with erections can sometimes be a red flag for other health issues. Discussing your erection problems with your doctor and having a few tests could lead to a diagnosis that, while not exactly what you wanted to hear, could one day save your life.
"Erectile dysfunction can be an early predictor of eventual heart disease or stroke," says Joseph Alukal, MD, a urologist at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. "I urge patients to be screened by their primary care physician to see if they have certain risk factors." Some poor health habits, like smoking and eating a fatty diet, can be corrected, thus reducing your chances of getting heart disease.
When you report symptoms of erectile dysfunction, here are some tests your doctor is likely to do.
1. Check your blood pressure. It's simple and painless, and if you find out you have hypertension, you'll be treated. You may also find that the high blood pressure, or hypertension, is contributing to your erection problems. "The thinking is that you could possible having atherosclerotic disease in the penile blood vessels," says Greg Bales, MD, associate professor of urology at the University of Chicago School of Medicine. "More and more, we recognize that sometimes the first sign of vascular disease is erectile dysfunction."
2. A urinalysis. If you are spilling sugar into the urine, this may indicate diabetes, which is a definite risk factor for problems with erection. If you have diabetes, you can receive the appropriate treatment.
3. An ultrasound of the penile arteries. This would only be done in men who are failing other treatments, such as Viagra and similar medications, says Alukal.
4. Hormone tests. Often when men are experiencing erection problems, they think the cause is not having enough testosterone. Actually, it's not a common cause of erection problems. But your doctor will be check your hormone levels to be sure.
5. A quiz on what medications you are taking. Certain medications, including some very common antidepressants, are well known as libido-lowering substances. Your doctor may switch you to another medication if you're having problems with erections.
6. A screening for depression. "Feeling insecure about a job loss or a bad breakup with a girlfriend can cause erection problems," Bales says. "The man may find that his erection difficulties are solely due to psychological factors." Often, if psychological problems are found, the man may be told to try having sex at a different time of the day. When the pressure to perform on a Saturday night is off, it may be easier for him to relax. "The last thing he needs is to rush off to dinner and a movie with his wife, then to pay off the babysitter and then boom, he's expected to perform," Bales says. "It may just not be the right time. A Sunday afternoon might work out to be a better time."
7. A PSA test. This blood test, which screens for the presence of too much prostate-specific antigen, may help your doctor determine whether your prostate gland is healthy. It is typically used in combination with a digital rectal exam to help your doctor get an overall picture.
8. A blood test to check your cholesterol level. If it's high, you could be at risk for heart disease, which is a risk factor for erection problems. Men with high cholesterol will be instructed in how to modify their diets (such as by reducing their intake of saturated fat), and they may also be given medication to bring down their cholesterol level.
