Procedure - Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is a condition that men experience when they are unable to get and/or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. This condition is also commonly referred to as impotence. If you are concerned about your erectile dysfunction or other sexual health problems, a specialist at Ogden Clinic in Utah can review and treat your symptoms.

Erectile dysfunction can be caused by a myriad of factors ranging from physical to emotional. Sometimes the cause is actually a combination of these different factors, like a physical problem causing a psychological one. Generally speaking though, erectile dysfunction is caused by one of the following physical factors:

• Diabetes and/or obesity
• Heart disease
• High cholesterol and blood pressure
• Clogged blood vessels
• Tobacco use
• Substance abuse including alcohol
• Insomnia and other sleeping disorders
• Pelvic or spinal cord injuries

To properly diagnose erectile dysfunction, an Ogden Clinic doctor will use one of the following tests to determine the cause of the impotence, and the proper course of treatment.

• Physical exam: A doctor will carefully examine the penis and testicles to check for nerve sensation.
• Blood test: Your doctor may also take a sample of blood to test for underlying health problems that could be causing the erectile dysfunction, such as diabetes or low testosterone.
• Ultrasound: This test uses a wand-like instrument known as a transducer to create a video of the blood vessels that supply blood to the penis. This will determine whether or not lack of blood flow is causing the problem.
• Urine test: Similar to the blood test, a urine test will identify underlying health conditions such as diabetes.
• Psychological test: This test will determine whether depression, stress, or anxiety are causing the erectile dysfunction or making it worse.

Depending on your diagnosis, your doctor will recommend some form of treatment for your erectile dysfunction. There are oral medications available, including Viagra and Cialis. Other treatment options include testosterone replacement therapy, penile implants, penis pumps, aerobic exercise, alternative medicine, and psychological counseling.

An early diagnosis is the key to dealing with erectile dysfunction. If you would like to schedule an erectile dysfunction test, contact Ogden Clinic in Utah today.