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Last Updated: Apr 25, 2020
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Erectile Dysfunction!

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Dr. Sanjay G.DeshpandeSexologist • 32 Years Exp.MD - Community Medicine, MD - Community Medicine, Additional BA (Psychology)
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As per ISSM (international society for sexual medicine), erectile dysfunction (ed) is a man's inability to achieve or maintain an erection suitable for satisfactory sex. 

Diagnosis: 

For many men, a physical exam and answering questions (medical history) are all that's needed for a doctor to diagnose erectile dysfunction and recommend a treatment. If you have chronic health conditions or your doctor suspects that an underlying condition might be involved, you might need further tests or a consultation with a specialist.

Tests for underlying conditions might include:

Physical exam - This might include careful examination of your penis and testicles and checking your nerves for sensation.

Blood tests - A sample of your blood might be sent to a lab to check for signs of heart disease, diabetes, low testosterone levels, and other health conditions.

Urine tests (urinalysis) - Like blood tests, urine tests are used to look for signs of diabetes and other underlying health conditions.

UltrasoundThis test is usually performed by a specialist in an office. It involves using a wand-like device (transducer) held over the blood vessels that supply the penis. It creates a video image to let your doctor see if you have blood flow problems. This test is sometimes done in combination with an injection of medications into the penis to stimulate blood flow and produce an erection.

Psychological exam - Your doctor might ask questions to screen for depression and other possible psychological causes of erectile dysfunction.

Treatment:
The first thing your doctor will do is to make sure you're getting the right treatment for any health conditions that could be causing or worsening your erectile dysfunction.
Depending on the cause and severity of your erectile dysfunction and any underlying health conditions, you might have various treatment options. Your doctor can explain the risks and benefits of each treatment and will consider your preferences. Your partner's preferences also might play a role in your treatment choices.

Oral medications - Oral medications are a successful erectile dysfunction treatment for many men. 

Your doctor will consider your particular situation to determine which medication might work best. These medications might not treat your erectile dysfunction immediately. You might need to work with your doctor to find the right medication and dosage for you.

Before taking any medication for erectile dysfunction, including over-the-counter supplements and herbal remedies, get your doctor's ok. Medications for erectile dysfunction do not work in all men and might be less effective in certain conditions, such as after prostate surgery or if you have diabetes. Some medications might also be dangerous if you are taking other medications, hence do not use the over-the-counter drugs and consult your doctor. 

Psychological counseling - If your erectile dysfunction is caused by stress, anxiety or depression — or the condition is creating stress and relationship tension — your doctor might suggest that you, or you and your partner must go for individual or couple counseling with a sex counselor, therapist or a sexologist
 

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult a specialist & get answers to your questions!
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