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Impotence, also known as erectile dysfunction, is defined as the inability to achieve or sustain an erection that is satisfactory for the purpose of sexual intercourse. This is a common sexual condition that affects most men at some point of time in their lives. It can become a problem, however, if it persists over a long period of time. Your doctor will be able to diagnose erectile dysfunction based on the following information.

Medical history
Your medical as well as sexual history helps to determine the nature and degree of impotence you suffer from. A detailed medical history can reveal the diseases that might have contributed to erectile dysfunction. Disclosing your previous and current sexual history will help your doctor to determine whether your problem is associated with libido, erection, ejaculation or orgasm. If you have a history of taking prescription or recreational drugs, there might be a chemical cause of your erectile dysfunction. The effects of medications are responsible for about 25% of impotence cases. This can be resolved by asking your doctor to prescribe alternative medications or altering the dosage to a safer level.

Laboratory testing
Lab tests are often used to diagnose impotence. You might be required to get tested for systemic diseases such as urinalysis, blood count, lipid as well as measuring liver enzymes and creatinine. If you suffer from low libido, measuring testosterone levels in the blood can reveal problems in your endocrine system.

Physical examination
Systemic problems can be detected by a simple physical examination. For instance, if your penis is unable to respond normally to certain kinds of touching, there might be a problem in the nervous system. You have a hormonal problem if there are secondary sex characteristics including hair pattern. If there is an aneurysm in your abdomen, a problem in the blood circulatory is the most likely cause of erectile dysfunction.

Psycho-social examination
A psycho-social examination for diagnosing erectile dysfunction consists of a questionnaire and interview. Your sexual partner might also be interviewed to allow your doctor to understand the perceptions and expectations involved in your sexual experiences. Psychological factors such as guilt, stress, depression, low self esteem, anxiety and fear of failure in bed account for about 10-20% of impotence cases.

Erectile dysfunction treatment usually consists of prescription medications and/or therapeutic counselling with a qualified psychologist.

The FDA approved erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment drugs such as: Viagra, Levitra and Cialis belong to the same class of medicines called PDE5 inhibitors; hence, these drugs essentially have the same mechanism of action. In addition, their contraindications and side effects are also quite similar.

Though all the 3 ED drugs – Viagra, Levitra and Cialis – are proven to be safe as well as effective in numerous clinical trials, you need to adhere to their safety warnings and precautions. These are serious prescription medicines and their use can prove dangerous if you take it against the advice of your doctor.

Precautions you need to keep in mind while using ED drugs

• ED drugs should not be used by men with normal sexual function
• Children below 18 years of age and women should not use ED drugs
• You should not use ED drugs if you have any known allergy to any component of the ED drug you intent to use
• Always use ED drugs after consulting a doctor and in the dosage recommended by your doctor

Contraindications associated with ED drugs

• ED drugs should not be used by men who suffer from certain medical conditions or who are using certain medicines. Discussed below are some of the contraindications associated with ED drugs.
• ED drugs should never be used by men taking any form of nitrate medications often advised for chest pain
• Men using alpha-blocker medicines should use ED drugs with caution
• ED drugs should not be used by men in whom sexual activity is inadvisable because of their underlying cardiovascular status
• ED drugs should not be used by men suffering from severe hepatic impairment (decreased liver function) or severe impairment in renal function
• Men with low blood pressure or those who have had a stroke or heart attack recently should not use ED drugs