How To Diagnose And Treat Erectile Dysfunction
Up to 5% of men across the globe have complete erectile dysfunction. If you think you might have ED, it’s simple to get tested and there are a number of ways of tackling. Below we run through how to diagnose ED (from a physical to a blood test) and medications for treating it (from viagra to tadalafil).
How to diagnose erectile dysfunction
While some may be reluctant to speak to somebody in person about erectile dysfunction, the first step in diagnosing ED is to be assessed by a medical professional You can either visit a sexual health clinic or see a doctor for your physical examination, as both are able to carry out the tests required to establish if you have erectile dysfunction.
Whether you speak to a GP or a sexual health representative, there are a number of steps the medical professional can take to diagnose erectile dysfunction.
Physical examination to test for erectile dysfunction
This will involve an examination of your testicles and penis. The GP or sexual health professional will check the nerves in your sexual organs for sensation – they will also look at your urinary, and vascular systems.
Psychological examination to test for ED
Physiological factors, such as depression, stress, and anxiety, have been shown to cause erectile dysfunction. Your examiner may carry out an examination to establish if any of these psychological factors are leading you to experience ED – they will do so by asking you a series of questions, concerning your own mental health and that of your family members.
Blood test to see if you have erectile dysfunction
Your blood pressure will be taken, as many studies have noted a link between high blood pressure and ED. However, you may also be required to have a blood test. The reason for this is that it allows doctors and health specialists to check for signs of low testosterone levels, diabetes, heart disease, and any other health problems that may be causing your ED.
Urine test to establish if you have ED
Urine tests are carried for the same reason as blood tests – to establish if you have any underlying medical conditions that are causing you to experience erectile dysfunction.
Ultrasound testing for erectile dysfunction
An ultrasound test uses sound waves to review the blood vessels in your penis. This is done so that doctors can see if you are unable to sustain an erection due to issues with the flow of blood to your penis.
Blood flow stimulation testing for ED
Alongside having an ultrasound, you may be given a blood flow stimulation test to diagnose if you have ED. This carried out by injecting medication into your penis to create an erection.
How to treat erectile dysfunction
Once you have been assessed by a GP or sexual health professional, there are a number of different ways that your erectile dysfunction. The treatments for ED range from oral medications (such as tadalafil) through to surgery, and the best course of action will depend on the severity of your condition. As medication is the most popular way of treating erectile dysfunction, below we have looked at the most common medications for ED.
Oral medications to treat ED
There are four main medications you can take for ED, with each working by enhancing the effects of nitric oxide in your body. This tackles ED by relaxing the muscles in your penis, increasing the flow of blood to it and making it easier for you to achieve and maintain an erection.
The four primary medications for treating erectile dysfunction are
- Avanafil (Stendra)
- Sildenafil (Viagra)
- Tadalafil (Adcirca, Cialis)
- Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn)
Viagra is the most well-known medication taken for ED and lasts for up to 5 hours. If you want a longer lasting treatment for erectile dysfunction, tadalafil is a popular choice.
Tadalafil is a generic version of Cialis (one of the most common ED medications) and is effective for up to 36 hours. UK reviews for tadalafil are extremely positive – tadalafil UK currently has a score of 4.9/5 on world-renowned reviews site Trustpilot.
Once you have had a consultation from a GP or registered sexual health professional, you can buy tadalafil tablets (available in 10mg and 20mg tablets) in the UK from registered online pharmacists.
Erectile dysfunction is a problem millions of men in the world suffer from it. If you think you might be experiencing ED, the first step is to get in touch with your GP or a sexual health professional and get tested. And if you do have ED, there are many ways of treating it (in addition to the medications mentioned in this article, the NHS lists some of the other ED treatments), so you won’t have to suffer anymore.