Erectile Dysfunction: How to Diagnose If You Are Suffering from It

By definition, erectile dysfunction is the condition in which the penis fails to achieve erection or perform functionally during sexual activity. In particular, episodes of erection failure can also be considered as erectile dysfunction due to lack or scarcity of blood flow in the blood vessels around the penis.

So if you are having trouble determining whether you or your male partner is having erection problems, there are sure ways to detect if you have ED:

1. Relax and Feel Your Body. The first step you can do is to observe and figure if you are experiencing abnormal erections or even zero erections. Relax and look inward for a stress-free feeling if you are bombarded by stress and tension. Studies and reports show that stress is one of the common and most frequent causes of minor cases or erectile dysfunction. Hence, it would help to calm yourself for a while and avoid overly thinking about problems causing the stress.

2. Check Your Blood Pressure and Heart Rate. Or you can also do self-diagnosis to assess your body's blood pressure as well as check your heart rate. High blood pressure is also one underlying cause of erectile dysfunction. It is important to consult with your doctor if you suspect you have high blood pressure or hypertension. There are also studies that reveal erectile dysfunction as a warning sign of impending heart attacks. Psychologically associated erectile dysfunctions can be treated without drug medications. This is also one good way of saving your pockets from buying expensive medicines.

3. Read about Medication Side Effects. A self-research should be done about how some medications can affect erectile dysfunction to enlighten you of the possible risks of certain drugs. For instance, intake of antidepressants oftentimes results in the inability to maintain erection. Other illnesses such as neurological, urinary, and endocrine disorders can also be causing erectile dysfunction. So to best deal with this, ask your physician regarding suitable treatments for you.

4. Nocturnal Penile Tumescence. Moreover, there is also the so-called stamp test or nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT). This is commonly done by men as a form of self-test to confirm their impotency. To do the NPT, get a six-stamp strip and wrap it along the penis shaft before sleeping. Semi-tight boxer brief boxer is recommended to wear to see if the strip breaks or not. If the string severs during your sleep, then erection most likely occurred.

5. Visit Your Doctor. Now, to really confirm if you are suffering from erectile dysfunction, visit your doctor. Your physician can help figure whether you have ED or not. He may give you a series of physical examinations and do a medical history of your heath and sexual activity. He can also help you determine the cause of your ED including stress, anxiety, depression, and other psychological factors. And if you are confirmed to have ED, your doctor will prescribe some medication that includes PDE or phosphodiesterases inhibitor drugs to help you cope with the problem.

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