Erectile Dysfunction (ED): Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

According to the National Institutes of Health, erectile dysfunction (ED) is a health condition that affects at least 30 million men ages 40 to 70 in the United States. Erectile dysfunction refers to the inability to get or maintain an erection during intercourse and other forms of sexual interaction. While ED is considered a health condition, it’s often related to an underlying health issue, meaning that ED isn’t something that men necessarily develop specifically due to aging. Read on to learn more about the causes of ED, the ways it’s diagnosed, the symptoms to look out for, and more.

What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?

A number of different things can cause a man to develop ED in his lifetime. The most common risk factors include:

Diabetes
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
Stress
Anxiety
Depression
Certain prescription medications, including antidepressants, pain medications, and high blood pressure medicines
Fatigue
Brain and spinal cord injuries
Hypogonadism, a condition that causes low levels of testosterone
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Parkinson’s disease
Chronic kidney disease
Liver disease
Cardiovascular disease, including stroke
Results of prostate or bladder surgery
Cancer and cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, radiation, hormonal therapy, and surgery

Issues in your life and relationship can also lead to erectile dysfunction if they’re causing stress. While ED can feel embarrassing, it’s important to view it as a sign of a greater issue, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Where most men view it as a psychological issue, research suggests that ED can be an early warning sign of artery and heart disease, diabetes, or hypertension. It can be helpful to look at this as an opportunity to get screened by your doctor for risk factors and other health conditions.

The Symptoms and Diagnosis of ED

Erectile dysfunction has a short list of symptoms. According to the Urology Care Foundation, the inability to get an erection or maintain an erection that’s firm enough for sex — consistently — may be indicative of ED. The condition is also associated with peripheral symptoms, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and relationship distress.

For many younger men, a physical exam along with answering questions regarding their medical history are usually what a doctor requires to diagnose ED. However, your doctor can run tests if they suspect another underlying condition is playing a role. This is usually the next step in diagnosing ED. These tests typically include the following:

Blood tests: Blood tests allow labs to check for markers of heart disease, diabetes, low testosterone levels, and other potential health conditions.
Urine tests (urinalysis): A urinalysis is similar to a blood test in that it can indicate signs of diabetes and other health conditions.
Ultrasound: An ultrasound is usually carried out by a specialist if your doctor recommends it. The test itself involves a wandlike device known as a transducer, which is specifically held over the blood vessels that supply blood to your penis. This can produce video images that your doctor uses to evaluate whether you have blood flow interruptions.
Psychological exam: Your doctor may want to screen you for depression and other potential mental health disorders to determine whether the cause of ED is psychological rather than physical.

Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction

The treatment for ED is specific to its underlying cause. For example, if ED is caused by diabetes or hypertension, your doctor will likely prescribe you the specific medications to take for those conditions.

Depending on the cause and whether your doctor rules out other potential causes, they may prescribe one of several medications to aid you in getting and maintaining a firm erection. These medications include:

Sildenafil (Viagra)
Tadalafil (Cialis)
Vardenafil (Levitra)

The above medications are taken orally and in pill form. However, another option if you’re unable to take these medications is alprostadil. Alprostadil is a synthetic form of prostaglandin E, which can be injected directly into your penis or inserted as a suppository into your urethra. Ultimately, your doctor can help you determine the best course of treatment for your ED and its underlying cause.

Is There a Natural Way to Treat ED?

According to the Harvard Medical School Journal, it may be possible in some cases to limit the effects of ED. Whether you’ve just begun experiencing ED symptoms or are hoping to prevent the condition, there are a few health tips from the journal to keep in mind:

Make sure you’re getting enough exercise. Just 30 minutes of walking each day has been linked to a 41% drop in ED risk.
Eat a balanced diet of wholesome foods. This can include lean proteins, legumes, fresh vegetables and fruits, and whole grains. Limit red meats, processed foods, and unnecessary sugars. Combined with getting enough exercise, this can help you keep health conditions like obesity and diabetes at bay, which are also linked to the development of ED.
Keep up with your vascular health — which includes your blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels — by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and taking any medications as prescribed by your doctor. This also includes limiting alcohol consumption and quitting tobacco.
Strengthen your pelvic floor. Having a strong pelvic floor can go a long way in enhancing axial penile rigidity. In other words, it’ll help keep blood in your penis to maintain an erection during intercourse rather than allowing it to flow back out.

Erectile dysfunction isn’t something to be embarrassed about, but it is something to discuss with your doctor. If you or someone you know is experiencing ongoing ED, it’s essential to get checked out by a trusted physician and specialists if needed to prevent potential health conditions from developing and to get effective treatment.