The Physical Exam - Diagnosing Erectile Dysfunction: Mens Sexual Health

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

The physical exam

The physical exam for diagnosing the cause of erectile dysfunction usually takes about 10–15 minutes. The doctor will listen to your heart for signs of a murmur and other abnormalities that can affect blood flow. He or she will also take your blood pressure; both high and low blood pressure can impair blood flow. The doctor will check your pulse in several places — at the wrist, ankle, and groin. Slow or low pulse in any of these areas can mean that not enough blood is reaching tissues in the extremities, including the penis.

In addition, the doctor will examine your testicles, penis, and chest. Abnormally small testicles and enlarged breasts are sometimes signs of inadequate testosterone. Patches of scar tissue felt in the penis suggest Peyronie's disease. Your doctor may check the prostate gland for signs of infection or cancer. Your doctor may also test for neurological problems by checking the reflexes in your legs, groin, and anus.

Your checkup will probably include tests for cholesterol (to assess your risk of cardiovascular disease) and triglyceride and blood sugar levels (to check for diabetes). The doctor might also ask for a urine specimen because the presence of blood could be a sign of a urologic disease, such as bladder cancer.

Last updated:	September 05, 2008