Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an issue that plagues far too many men in the United States. In fact, more than 30 million men are currently struggling with ED.
Beyond its physical implications, ED puts a significant mental burden on men. It can also lead to marital strife as ED hinders a couple’s sex life.
The good news is that there are erectile dysfunction tests to help identify the issue. With a solid diagnosis, doctors can prescribe the proper ED treatments to solve the issue.
Read on to learn all about ED tests. Explore how an ED lab test can confirm the existence of an issue and lead to its resolution.
What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
Before diving into the various ED tests, it is important to define this medical condition. With ED, a male cannot get or maintain an erection. ED has a significant impact on sexual intercourse as the male now has difficulty satisfying his partner.
Some patients with ED cannot get an erection at all. Others get an erection initially, but it goes away during sexual intercourse, causing issues for their partner. Another group of men get an erection sometimes, but other times are unable to.
Patients with ED often schedule an appointment with their primary care physician. A urologist is another doctor that treats men with ED.
These doctors prescribe an ED lab test to verify the presence of an issue. A separate issue may cause a patient's ED, and the doctors will investigate all possibilities.
What Are the Causes of Erectile Dysfunction?
Many people associate ED with older men. They think that this is a common issue with aging men.
However, the truth is that ED is not a normal part of the aging process. In fact, ED can plague men in any age group.
Taking certain medications or other supplements can lead to ED. Your doctor will certainly assess your current medication to determine if there is a link to ED.
Particular behaviors are also known to cause ED. Obesity and smoking tobacco are two known causes of ED.
There are various medical conditions and diseases that lead to ED. Your doctor will ask about your medical history to look for potential causes. Even psychological or emotional conditions can directly cause ED.
The end result is not good for patients with ED. The effects go well beyond having a positive sex life.
Patients with ED suffer from low self-esteem and depression resulting from their condition. Naturally, ED patients have fertility issues and it often causes emotional duress when a couple cannot get pregnant.
How Is Erectile Dysfunction Diagnosed?
As stated earlier, the doctor is going to ask about your medical history. They are interested in what medicines you take, prior surgeries, and conditions you are dealing with. Additionally, your doctor will ask about your family history to see if there is a potential genetic linkage.
The doctor is certainly going to inquire about your sex life. This is a time to embrace honesty so that the doctor can figure out what is going on.
A physical examination by the doctor follows. Of course, examination of the testicles and penis is part of this process. The doctor also looks for hair loss and breast size. The latter two signs may indicate a hormonal imbalance.
Checking your pulse at the wrists is a common part of the physical examination. The doctor wants to make sure that blood is flowing properly to your extremities.
Listening to your heartbeat for any abnormalities and checking blood pressure are also important steps. Any cardiovascular issues may be the root cause behind ED.
Lab tests of your blood and urine are on deck. These lab tests yield clues to what is causing ED.
For example, your lab results may indicate issues like heart disease or diabetes. These conditions, along with kidney disease, are common root causes of ED. Your doctor also looks for hormonal imbalances that may trigger ED.
Thyroid operation is another possibility that the doctors check for using blood work. The thyroid is critical for the flow of sex hormones. If it is not working properly, it may be difficult to get an erection.
What Are Some Other Erectile Dysfunction Tests?
The doctor may want to run some additional tests. There are several different tests to confirm the presence of ED.
Men get several erections per night when they are sleeping. Your doctor may ask to perform an overnight erection test. This involves wearing a device that measures the strength and frequency of your nightly erections. If you are still getting erections at night, it suggests your ED issues are rooted in mental or emotional issues.
The doctor may call for an intracavernosal test. This is where the doctor injects medicine into the base of the penis to check for an erection. Failure to get an erection means there is a blood flow issue. Lastly, the doctor may want to do an ultrasound, which is another proven method to check for blood flow.
What Are the Benefits of Lab Tests for Erectile Dysfunction?
There are many benefits to going for erectile dysfunction lab tests. For starters, the results are secure and confidential. No one, not even your partner, has access to the results unless you grant it.
At our lab, you do not even need a doctor’s prescription or referral. You can get ED lab results directly if you do not want to involve your primary care physician.
Another benefit to our testing is that you do not need health insurance. The testing is affordable and 100% satisfaction is guaranteed. The results are available to the patient in no more than 48 hours.
How Can ED Tests Get You Back on Track Today?
ED tests are the most effective way to get your personal life back on track. Here, you can confirm the issue and determine what the root cause is. Whether it is a medical condition or mentally induced, knowing the root cause is key to fixing it.
If you are interested in getting erectile dysfunction tests, we offer a selection of Erectile Dysfunction (ED) panels that include lab tests and biomarkers to evaluate if they are out of balance.
