How is Impotence Diagnosed?
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.