MedifocusHealth

Patient History

The diagnostic "work-up" of men with erectile dysfunction (ED) begins with a thorough patient history. Questions posed to the patient by the health care provider are aimed at identifying common risk factors for ED and include:

• Does the patient have a history of cardivascular disease?
• Is the patient a diabetic?
• Is the patient a current or former smoker?
• Is the patient a casual or heavy user of alcohol?
• Does the patient have high blood pressure?
• Does the patient have high cholesterol?
• Is the patient taking any medications? Which ones and for what reasons?
• Does the patient have any undelying psychological problems or is currently dealing with any major issues that are causing emotional disturbances?
• Prior to the onset of ED, did the patient have a satisfactory sex life?
• Did the patient ever suffer from performance anxiety with their partner?

Physical Examination

After completing the patient history, the health care provider will perform a physical examination to look for clues that would suggest abnormalities of the cardiovascular system, endocrine system, nervous system, and the genital area. Clinical indicators of possible abnormalities with these organ systems include:

• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Vision abnormalities
• Englarged thryoid
• Gynecomastia - over-development of the male breasts
• Absence of the bulbocavernous reflex - an automatic contraction of the rectum that occurs when the tip of the penis is squeezed
• Peyronie's disease - scarring of the shaft of the penis that can interfere with normal erections
• Examination of the testes for hypogonadism or a tumor
• Enlargement of the prostate gland as determined by a digital rectal examination