ED Tests: Getting Diagnosed
A recent study estimated that 30 million American men suffer from various degrees of ED, ranging from mild to severe. It is clearly an age-related phenomenon since the prevalence of ED increases significantly with age. Fortunately, a variety of treatment plans are available.
At Maze, a member of our team will perform a simple, completely painless test that measures how sensitive your penis is to vibration (biothesiometry) as well as perform specialized testing to assess the function of your penis. This may include:
- A Rigi-Scan to measure the quantity and quality of your nighttime erections. (This involves a simple machine that you take home with you.)
- An ultrasound to measure the blood flow through the penis
Blood tests are also done to measure hormone, cholesterol, and glucose status.
Additionally, a thorough medical history is an essential part of the evaluation and may include questions such as:
- How long have you had the erectile dysfunction?
- What happens when you try to have intercourse?
- Do you have decreased rigidity?
- Do you have difficulty maintaining your erection?
- At what point do you lose your erection?
- Do you wake up at any point with an erection?
- How rigid are the nocturnal erections?
- What is your sexual interest level (libido) like?
- Does your penis have a curve, bend, or twist in it when it is rigid?
- Is your ejaculation normal?
- Is ejaculation early (premature) or delayed?
- What is the status of your relationship?
- How is the relationship going?
- How is your ED affecting the relationship?
Treatment Options
Once we have completed your evaluation, we will discuss ED treatment options with you. We will consider these options in light of your medical history, the physical and specialized testing that has been performed and, of course, what preferences you have stated.
Possible treatment options include:
- Oral medications
- Penile injections
- Shockwave therapy
- Vacuum erection device
- Penile implant