Erectile dysfunction and other erection difficulties are a very common reason for guys to see their doctor. While it’s sometimes difficult to discuss, it’s important to be open with your doctor, as there are many diseases of which erection problems can be the earliest sign.
When you see your doctor there are a few questions that can help indicate potential causes:
– Do you get erections at all? Do you get erections in the morning?
– When you do get an erection is it firm enough to penetrate?
– Do you find your erections last or do they lose their strength easily?
While it seems a little intrusive, these questions can help narrow down potential causes of erection problems. The most common cause of problems ‘getting it up’ is associated with anxiety, however there are a number of other important diseases that need to be excluded.
Sadly due to embarrassment on both the part of the doctor and the patient, many men miss out on getting these checked, finding it easier to request a script for Viagra or Cialis.
Commonly low testosterone, diabetes, heart disease and some medications can cause erection problems. The good news is that these can be easily tested.
From an examination perspective it’s important to check blood pressure, the heart and also the penis for any plaques that may be restricting blood flow. It’s usually worth doing some screening bloods to check for other causes. The tests I usually recommend include:
– A full blood count, liver and kidneys
– Thyroid function
– Testosterone levels
– Fasting cholesterol and blood sugar
The combination of these bloods can help screen out any diseases commonly associated with erectile dysfunction such as diabetes, hormonal problems and early heart disease.
Guys, if you notice any erection problems, the earlier you see your doctor the better. As with most issues, the sooner problems are discovered the sooner you can be back to vibrant health.
By DR GEORGE FORGAN-SMITH
General Practitioner
