Erectile Dysfunction Diagnosis: What Doctor will Estimate
The numerous potential erectile dysfunction causes mean that the doctor usually asks many questions and prescribes various tests. The same blood tests can tell you about:
- heart problems;
- diabetes;
- low testosterone levels.
The staff of My Canadian Pharmacy notes: “To diagnose erectile dysfunction causes, the doctor, as a rule, conducts a physical examination, including genitals.”
The doctor will ask questions that will help determine any potential cause in patient’s medical history – they can include an evaluation of:
- consumed medications;
- herbal products;
- alcohol;
- consequences of pelvic surgery or trauma;
- smoking status.
You will be evaluated for presence of:
- diabetes;
- high blood pressure;
- atherosclerosis;
- symptoms of vascular, hormonal, neurological and psychiatric disorders.
A man with erectile dysfunction should be evaluated for presence of signs and symptoms of depression, as well as what were the emotional events, what is status of relationship in couple, including the doctor will clarify questions about various aspects of sexual life.
Erectile Dysfunction Treatment
In this section, available options for erectile dysfunction treatment start from drugs to vacuum devices, surgery and biologically active additives.
Erectile Dysfunction Medicamental Treatment
The first option for erectile dysfunction treatment – after condition was established as a permanent problem, rather than a one-time or temporary one – there is a group of drugs called PDE-5 phosphodiesterase inhibitors.
Most tablets are taken 30 to 60 minutes before sexual intercourse – the most famous is the blue colored tablet for potency – Sildenafil Citrate (Viagra). Other variants are Vardenafil (Levitra), Tadalafil (taken once a day; Cialis) and Avanfil (Stendra).
Inhibitors of PDE-5 should be prescribed by a doctor who can check presence of a man’s heart disease and analyze other medications’ use. For example, a cardiologist can advise the best timing for using drugs for erectile dysfunction in men, in the case of angina pectoris caused by coronary heart disease.
There are a number of potential adverse side effects associated with PDE-5 inhibitors, including:
- palpitation;
- vision problems;
- hearing loss;
- dyspepsia;
- headache.
Less frequently used variants of erectile dysfunction drugs include prostaglandin E1, which is applied locally, into penis (or injected into it or into urethra, as in the form of suppositories). Most men prefer tablets, however, these locally acting drugs are generally required by men who can not use oral treatment.
Vacuum Devices and Pumps for ED
Vacuum installation devices are a mechanical way of getting an erection in men who do not want or can not use medicamental treatment or it does not work.
With a wide variety – in fact, the vacuum system for potency consists of three components – a cylinder, a pump and a tightening ring, fixed at penis root. Cylinders of systems for vacuum erectile dysfunction treatment may differ in design, but essentially all of them are bulbs made of transparent plastic.
Before use, device components are assembled according to manufacturer’s instructions. A tightening ring is located around cylinder base. The proximal end of the cylinder is abundantly lubricated with a water-soluble lubricant to achieve a better suction of cylinder to skin surrounding penis root.
Then penis is placed inside the cylinder, and patient begins to pump the air with a pump. You need some time to achieve an adequate erection which can be different. Adequate erection can be obtained in a few seconds, and in a few minutes. But, as a rule, most manufacturers recommend after reaching vacuum, if there are no erection, wait 2-3 minutes, and if there is no further erection repeat this procedure again within 3-4 minutes.
Surgical Methods for Treating Erectile Dysfunction
Implants
Implants are the final option for men who have not achieved any success after drug treatment and other non-invasive erectile dysfunction treatment options.
During the operation, prosthesis is surgically placed into penis, assuming the shape of erection, when necessary, or making it always firm, but not vertically positioned.
The most complex of these implants is a three-section version that is completely concealed inside penis and gives a normal appearance – it can be flaccid and hard depending on the action of discharge valve that fills implant with liquid.
When planning surgery, the following risks must be considered:
- possibility and consequences of infection and rejection;
- mechanical damage of device, which will require one more operation.