Erectile Dysfunction Patient Information Fact Sheet

What tests confirm a diagnosis of erectile dysfunction?
If appropriate, your doctor will prescribe medication for erectile dysfunction. If drug treatment is successful, there may be no need for further referral. Some men may be referred to a urologist for further tests to define the cause of the erectile dysfunction before treatment is started. A blood sample may be taken in order to measure testosterone levels. If a problem concerning the blood supply is suspected, x-rays of the arteries and measurement of the pressure inside the penis may be necessary.

How is erectile dysfunction treated?
If erectile dysfunction is the result of psychological factors, the cause needs to be addressed. Psychosexual or relationship counseling may be appropriate. Methods of coping with stress may also be helpful; sometimes reducing stress may solve sexual problems.

If erectile dysfunction is a side effect of medication, changing to an alternative treatment may solve the problem.

In a small proportion of men, erectile dysfunction is caused by a reduced level of testosterone. This can be corrected by androgen replacement therapy, which may be given in the form of testosterone supplied as skin patches (Androderm), tablets (Methitest), or capsules (Android). Testosterone may also be given as regular injections or as implants under the skin. It is also available as a gel (Testim, Androgel). Alprostadil is a drug that can be injected directly into the shaft of the penis and usually causes an erection within 15 minutes. The administration technique, called intracavernosal injection, is quite easy to teach most men. Alprostadil injection may be prescribed as Caverject or Edex. Alprostadil can also be given directly into the urethra (the tube that runs through the penis) in a suppository form known as Muse. Muse suppositories cause an erection within five to 10 minutes and are available in different strengths. Alprostadil may cause erections that are prolonged and painful and advice should be given about what action to take if this happens, as there is a risk of damage to the penile nerves.

Currently, there are three oral treatments for erectile dysfunction that can be prescribed for men who meet certain criteria: sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn). These treatments are intended for use only by men with erectile dysfunction. These medicines are not suitable for everyone, for example, men with recent stroke, severe heart disease or angina being treated with nitrates. These medicines should not be used in conjunction with other treatments for erectile dysfunction.

If drug treatment is unsuccessful, vacuum constriction devices are available. These draw blood into the penis and create an erection that can be maintained for up to 30 minutes by a tension band slipped around the base of the penis. A range of vacuum constriction devices is now available for men who meet certain criteria. Alternatively, a prosthesis can be surgically inserted. This should not be considered until all other treatment options have been tried as the insertion destroys the erectile tissue. One option is a semi-rigid splint, which creates a permanent erection but allows the penis to be bent out of the way. Another option involves the insertion of a small pump in the groin, which activates a hydraulic device causing an erection when required. If there is an abnormality in the blood supply to the penis, surgical correction of the problem may be possible in some cases.

Further information
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov

Last Reviewed: May 2013