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Have you been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction and are looking for more information on what to do next?
It finally happened. After months of agony and unsatisfying sex, you finally get the dreaded results of your physical exam: you are clinically diagnosed with erectile dysfunction.
If you’ve been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction (ED), you may be wondering what your next steps should be. The good news is that there are several treatment options available to you, and with the help of your doctor, you can find the one that’s right for you.
One of the first steps you’ll need to take is to consult an ED doctor about your options. They can help you understand the cause of your ED and what treatment options are available. They can also help you decide if medication, therapy, or a combination of both is right for you.
Here are the different factors to consider after your ED diagnosis.
How Does ED Get Diagnosed?
A lot of men face shame and embarrassment at the thought of doctors probing through their private regions. However, this is the very crucial step to getting the right treatment you’d need to improve your sexual health.
With that said, there are a variety of penis exams that can be used to diagnose ED. These exams don’t only look into the penis, but they may also examine the genital region as a whole, which includes the urethra, scrotum, and prostate.
At your discovery session, the urologist or attending doctor will inquire about your medical history. These questions are intended to help them understand your background, personal health, and sexual history. They may include the following questions:
- What drugs are you currently taking?
- How long have you experienced symptoms?
- Do you experience symptoms at night?
- Are you satisfied with your current relationship?
- Do you suffer from mental disorders?
- When did you first recognize that you had symptoms?
- What is the quality of your erections?
Once the doctor concludes the discussion, they may ask to perform a blood test on you suitable to your specific case. These tests may include the following:
- Urinalysis: A urinalysis identifies infections, diabetes, and other conditions that may contribute to erectile dysfunction by measuring testosterone levels and other cellular material in the body.
- Blood tests: The doctor may order a blood count and check your blood sugar (glucose) levels and hormone levels.
- Nerve function tests: These tests are used to determine if an injury to the nerves or issues with the autonomic nervous system is causing erectile problems.
- Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT): Determines whether you have a normal erectile function during the night, as erections tend to occur 3 to 5 times in healthy men.
- Ultrasonography: Checks the quality and volume of penile blood flow.
- Arteriography: Physical x-rays to determine cancers in the penis.
Other medical tests like a mental health exam may be performed depending on the severity of symptoms. If you need personalized assistance, contact a doctor to find the right male sexual dysfunction treatment plan for you.
Steps to Take After an Erectile Dysfunction Diagnosis
Once your doctor has diagnosed your condition, they’ll outline the steps for you to help you regain sexual desire.
While erectile dysfunction can be debilitating, symptoms can be managed with the right treatment measures.
There are two distinct ways you can address the post-diagnosis period: non-clinical strategies and clinical measures.
Here are the steps you can take to recover from ED.
1. Talk to Your Partner
If you haven’t addressed the elephant in the room just yet, now is the time to talk to your partner about your diagnosis. This can be a difficult conversation, but it’s one that you owe to your partner who wants what is best for you and the relationship.
Your partner may be feeling just as frustrated as you are and may need some reassurance. Set aside a time to talk honestly and openly about your condition to your partner. This way, you can share the burden and not have to suffer alone.
2. Eat a Healthier Diet
If you want to improve your erectile dysfunction, then one of the best changes to implement is to eat a healthier diet. A healthy diet can improve your circulation and help to prevent some of the underlying health conditions that can contribute to erectile dysfunction.
Some good foods to eat for better circulation include:
- Leafy green vegetables
- Salmon
- Mackerel
- Walnuts
- Tomatoes
- Beets
3. Get More Exercise
Exercise is another great way to improve your circulation and overall health, both of which can reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction. It helps improve cardiovascular health and lowers high blood pressure, which isinextricably linked with sexual function.
In addition, exercise can help you lose weight, lower blood pressure, and improve overall mental health, all of which can reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction. That said, it’s important to talk to your doctor before starting any new exercise routine, as having too much exercise or applying the wrong technique may actually worsen erectile dysfunction.
4. Get Treatment
Doctors will undoubtedly want to rule out any underlying health conditions that could be causing your erectile dysfunction.
Once they have done that, they can offer you a variety of treatment options.
Common treatments for erectile dysfunction include:
- Shockwave therapy: Considered an effective method to treat ED, this non-invasive therapy uses a device to break plaque that has built up in blood vessels near the erectile tissue.
- Oral medication: Medication like sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra) can be useful, although they may also come with side effects.
- Penile injections: A medication is injected into the side of the penis, which then produces an erection within 5 to 20 minutes.
- Vacuum erection device: This device is placed over the penis, and uses vacuum pressure to draw blood to the penis.
- Testosterone therapy: Helps treat low libido and low testosterone levels in the blood to boost sexual function.
Contact Atlanta’s Top ED Clinic for an Erectile Dysfunction Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
Erectile dysfunction can be a tough situation to deal with, both emotionally and physically. But by following the steps above, you can progress much more smoothly on the road to recovery.
With the help of a doctor and a healthy lifestyle, you can improve your erectile dysfunction and get back to enjoyingsex every day.
If you’re having issues with erectile dysfunction (ED) or premature ejaculation (PE), call the team at Priority Men’s Medical Center in Atlanta now to schedule an appointment to have a consultation with their experienced and specially trained medical staff. We are a leading men’s clinic providing ED therapy, PE therapy, Acoustic Wave therapy, hormone therapy, and much more.