How Is Erectile Dysfunction Diagnosed?

June 26, 2024

This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Humberto Villarreal, M.D., urologic surgeon and assistant clinical professor, Division of Urology and Urologic Oncology, Department of Surgery, City of Hope® Cancer Center Duarte.

Diagnosing erectile dysfunction (ED) begins with a physical exam and a discussion with the care team about symptoms. For some men, that will be all the care team needs to evaluate before making a diagnosis and developing an ED treatment plan. 

In other cases, the care team may choose to perform additional tests as part of the diagnostic workup. This may help them determine whether the patient has an underlying condition or additional diagnoses.  

Erectile Dysfunction Tests

If the care team decides to perform additional tests, they may include those listed below. 

Blood tests: In some cases, blood work may be necessary to identify hormonal problems and any treatable conditions like heart disease (cholesterol and triglycerides), high blood pressure, low testosterone and diabetes. 

Urine tests: The care team may ask the patient to provide a urine sample (urinalysis), which will then be analyzed to evaluate any additional conditions. 

Review current medications: The care team will also review each patient’s medication list to make sure no prescriptions are impacting erectile function. 

Ultrasound: In rare cases, doctors may perform ultrasound testing of the penis to ensure that there is appropriate blood flow, blockage of blood flow and retention of blood to maintain an erection. 

Injection testing: The care team may also perform injection testing to see if the patient has a normal response to medications that induce erections. This not only helps in diagnosis, but it also introduces treatment options for ED.  

  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Diagnosis of erectile dysfunction. July 2017. 
    https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/erectile-dysfunction/diagnosis

  • American Family Physician. Diagnostic evaluation of erectile dysfunction, January 1, 2000. 
    https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2000/0101/p95.html

  • Urology Care Foundation. What Is erectile dysfunction? June 2018. 
    https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/e/erectile-dysfunction-(ed)