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Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common sexual problem affecting up to 100 million men worldwide. While ED can be stressful and frustrating, it’s treatable through medication, surgical procedures, and lifestyle changes. However, it’s important to first get a proper diagnosis to determine the best care plan for you.
Listed below are common ED tests your doctor may recommend to determine problems with your erectile function. Some tests may help you know if you’re impotent, while others can determine the cause of ED.
1. Physical Exam
Healthcare providers will always start with a physical exam to come up with a diagnosis. A physical test checks your overall health, mainly focusing on your genitals and ensuring they look normal and are functioning properly. Depending on your risk factors and age, it may include checking your family history, blood pressure, hormonal symptoms, and heartbeat.
2. Urine Tests
A urine test is a common way of diagnosing underlying health issues. It typically shows information about your kidney function, hormone levels, glucose count, and other factors that may contribute to ED. However, a urinalysis only provides supporting details for a diagnosis. Further ED tests are required to better understand a patient’s condition.
3. Blood Work
Like urine tests, blood tests check for potential health issues causing ED. In particular, it can provide information on your testosterone level, which is directly connected to erectile dysfunction. Getting a blood sample also allows your doctor to examine any issues with your heart, kidney, liver, and sugar levels, which may affect your sexual health.
4. Nocturnal Penile Tumescence Test
All men with normal sexual function get spontaneous erections during sleep — a phenomenon known as nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT). Hence, NPT is one of the earliest testing methods for erectile dysfunction. Its main goal is to confirm that you can get an erection by monitoring your genitals while you sleep.
NPT tests are often administered at home and involve wrapping 4-6 postage stamps around the penis. If the erection is strong enough, it should change the placement of the stamps while asleep. Otherwise, it would indicate that you might have erectile function issues. Take note that the test doesn’t confirm what may be causing your ED.
5. Nerve Tests
ED nerve tests confirm whether or not your condition is caused by nerve problems or lack of sensitivity. This test sends small vibrations on the right and left sides of the penile shaft, determining the nerve function and sensitivity of the area. If your penis doesn’t react to the test, your doctor may diagnose a neurological ED or a pinched nerve along the penis.
6. Duplex Ultrasound Test
Duplex ultrasound — also called Doppler ultrasound — is an ED test that evaluates blood flow in your reproductive area. A duplex ultrasound test effectively identifies any hardening of the arteries, tissue scarring, and other physical factors in your penis that contribute to erectile dysfunction. In this procedure, a vasodilator is injected into the penile tissue. Then, an ultrasound wand is pressed to the side of the penis and collects echo waves. This allows your doctor to monitor the area and determine how effectively blood flows through the blood vessels.
Got Diagnosed With ED? Steel Man Pills Can Help!
Getting diagnosed with ED can be overwhelming and disheartening. However, it doesn’t mean the end of your sexual life. Steel Man Pills can help you overcome this hurdle. Our online resources and medications are just a few clicks away so you can better understand your condition and bring back your vitality. You can also call us at 877-314-2934 for more expert help!
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