Diagnosing Erectile Dysfunction (cont.)

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Medical Author:

Stephen W Leslie, MD, FACS

Medical Editor:

Bradley Fields Schwartz, DO, FACS

Medical Editor:

Mary L Windle, PharmD

Medical Editor:

Martin I Resnick, MD

Physical Examination

A physical examination is necessary. During this examination, your doctor will pay particular attention to the genitals as well as the nervous, vascular, and urinary systems. Your blood pressure will be checked because several studies have demonstrated a connection between high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction.

The physical examination will confirm the information you gave the doctor in your medical history and may help reveal unsuspected disorders, such as diabetes, vascular disease, penile plaques (scar tissue or firm lumps under the skin of the penis), testicular problems, low male hormone production, injury or disease to the nerves of the penis, and various prostate disorders.