A medical exam may help your healthcare provider understand what is causing your problem. ED is sometimes the first sign of some other health problem, so your provider may check your overall health. He or she may also examine your penis, scrotum, and testicles. Tell your provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescribed and over-the-counter medicines, as well as any herbs or supplements.

Your healthcare provider may recommend some or all of these tests:

• Blood tests measure your levels of hormones or lipids (fatty substances in the blood, including cholesterol). Other tests check for diabetes or help show the health of your liver, kidneys, and prostate.

• Blood flow tests check how well blood moves through your penis.

• A rectal exam checks for an enlarged prostate gland. An enlarged prostate and ED have been linked in recent studies.

• Other tests check for other conditions that limit your ability to have sex.

Based on what you say and what any exam shows, your healthcare provider will recommend a treatment plan. The first step may be to try ED medicines, since they help most men. If they don’t help you, your provider can suggest other kinds of treatment. You and your partner may also want to discuss which options would work best in your relationship. Treatment may include addressing the cause of health problems, such as lowering your cholesterol. And counseling may be recommended to talk about underlying emotional issues.