How to Tell if You Have Erectile Dysfunction

Medically reviewed by Erik Kramer, DO, MPH

Last Updated: November 16, 2021 References

If you’re having trouble getting or maintaining an erection, you might be worried that you have erectile dysfunction (ED). Difficulty sustaining an erection is the most common symptom of ED, although there are some other signs of this disorder that you should look out for. If you notice any of these symptoms, have a doctor perform diagnostic tests to see whether you actually have ED and figure out how to treat it. Remember, it’s very common for men to occasionally struggle with getting an erection, so you may not have any cause for concern.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Recognizing Common Signs and Symptoms

1
Note when you have trouble getting or keeping an erection. The telltale symptom of erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve an erection or to maintain one during sexual activities. Watch for times when you don’t have an erection when you otherwise should (e.g., during foreplay).^{[1]
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- Having ED doesn’t mean you can never achieve an erection; it just means that you frequently experience this type of difficulty.
- Note that occasional difficulty getting an erection isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. It’s just when it happens frequently that it becomes a problem.
2
Be on the lookout for reduced interest in sexual activities. Reduced sexual desire is another very common symptom of erectile dysfunction. However, this type of disinterest can have a number of different causes, so this by itself doesn’t necessarily point to ED. Always get a professional diagnosis before leaping to a conclusion regarding ED.^{[2]
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- For instance, a mental health issue like depression can also cause reduced sexual desire. Additionally, SSRI or SNRI mood medications used to treat depression, such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Celexa, can lower your libido.
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3
Note common factors that sometimes lead to ED. Although not everyone experiences erectile dysfunction, there are a number of risk factors that often lead to this condition. Be on the alert for common symptoms of ED if you:^{[3]
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- Are over the age of 50
- Have high blood pressure
- Have diabetes
- Smoke, drink alcohol, or take illegal drugs
- Have high cholesterol
- Are obese
- Have gone through treatment for prostate cancer
4
Watch for symptoms that persist for 2 months or more. Although it can be alarming, being unable to get an erection once or twice is not necessarily cause for concern (in fact it’s quite normal). However, if you experience the symptoms of ED for 2 months, then you should visit your doctor to have yourself diagnosed.
- If you experience more severe symptoms (such as the inability to get an erection at all), then you may want to visit your doctor sooner rather than later.
Tip: Note that if you’re ever concerned about your erectile health, it’s always best to talk to your doctor about it. Even if your symptoms have not persisted for at least 2 months, it’s never a bad idea to see the doctor if you’re worried about your health.
5
Look for other sexual disorders that coincide with your ED. If you experience the symptoms of other sexual disorders, such as premature ejaculation or delayed ejaculation, this may indicate a more serious underlying health issue. Make an appointment with your doctor to have these different symptoms evaluated and find out what is causing them.^{[4]
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- If you’re experiencing the symptoms of multiple disorders, you should schedule a doctor’s visit regardless of how long you’ve been experiencing them (i.e., don’t wait 2 months to get them checked out).

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Getting a Professional Diagnosis

1
Have your doctor conduct a physical and psychological exam. The physical exam will likely include a careful examination of your penis and testicles for any outward signs of an illness. Your doctor will also ask you questions to ascertain what, if any, psychological issues may be causing your symptoms.^{[5]
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- For example, your doctor might ask if you’re under a lot of stress, if there are any problems in the relationship with your sexual partner, or if you’re experiencing any mental or emotional distress.
- Your doctor may also check the nerves in your penis to see if they properly respond to sensation.
2
Get your blood tested for conditions that might cause ED. Your doctor will take a small sample of blood intravenously and have it sent to a lab to check for illnesses that might cause ED. These include diabetes, heart disease, prostate cancer, or low testosterone levels.^{[6]
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- Blood tests generally take about 24 hours to perform, so don’t expect to receive the results from your test right away.
- Your doctor can do a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test to check for prostate cancer, which may contribute to ED or urinary symptoms.^{[7]
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  Go to source} Try not to worry because they will offer you treatment options.
3
Undergo a fasting blood test or A1C test to check for diabetes. Your doctor will likely check for diabetes because it can cause erectile dysfunction. For a fasting blood test, you'll avoid food and beverages besides water overnight. Then, you'll get your blood drawn in the morning so your doctor can test your blood sugar. If you get an A1C test, your doctor will draw your blood and test it to check your average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months.^{[8]
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- These tests won't be painful, but you might experience some discomfort during the blood draw.
- Your doctor may also do a urinalysis to check for diabetes. This test will involve you urinating into a sterile container, which a lab technician will examine to see if it indicates that you may have diabetes.^{[9]
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4
Ask your doctor if you should have an ultrasound performed. An ultrasound is performed in order to determine if there are blood flow problems that may be causing your erectile dysfunction. This test is typically performed by a specialist, so your doctor may recommend you to a different healthcare provider for this exam.^{[10]
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- During the ultrasound, a specialist holds a transducer over the blood vessels that supply the penis to create a video image of the blood flow into your penis.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Receiving Treatment

1
Take medications to treat ED as prescribed by your doctor. Not all men with erectile dysfunction need to take medication to treat it, but some may benefit from taking certain ED medicines. The most commonly prescribed medications are sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and avanafil.^{[11]
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- These drugs are typically taken as needed, rather than on a regular basis. Talk with your doctor to determine how you should take any medication they prescribe you.
- These drugs enhance the effects of nitric oxide, the chemical that regulates the muscles in your penis. This enhancement increases blood flow to your penis, making it easier to get an erection.
- Not all drugs or dosages will be right for you. Work with your doctor to figure out which drug and dosage has the best effect on your condition.
Warning: Some of these medications might be dangerous for you if you have low blood pressure, suffer from heart disease, or take nitrate drugs. Additionally, if you seek emergency medical care for chest pain, make sure you tell the ER staff that you took an ED drug in the last 24 hours. Otherwise, it may interact with the nitrite drugs used to treat you, which may cause low blood pressure.
2
Ask your doctor if you should take testosterone supplements. Some instances of ED are caused by insufficient testosterone levels. If this is the case, your doctor will probably recommend that you undergo testosterone replacement therapy involving supplements or other testosterone treatments.^{[12]
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- This type of regimen may be recommended in conjunction with other treatment plans.
3
Eliminate stressors and causes of anxiety in your life. Oftentimes, ED is caused by anxiety that results from stress at work, at home, or in life in general. Reducing this anxiety may not completely treat ED, but it can certainly alleviate some of your symptoms and help you cope with your condition.^{[13]
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- If your ED’s impact on your ability to perform sexually is a stressor, talk to your sexual partner about it. Being open and communicative about your condition is the best way to overcome this anxiety.
4
Make lifestyle changes to treat and prevent ED. Smoking, being overweight, drinking too much alcohol, taking drugs, or not exercising often can all lead to erectile dysfunction or make it worse for some men. Eliminate these behaviors from your life to improve the symptoms of your ED and to prevent it from recurring (or occurring in the first place).^{[14]
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- Note that these changes aren’t guaranteed to have an impact on your condition. However, changing your lifestyle this way is a terrific way to improve your overall health while attempting to treat ED.