Urological investigation of ED cause.

[niall4473]

Hi to all,
Is it usual for there to be some kind of diagnostic investigation into the specific cause of a man's ED before a treatment is decided upon?
My urologist refused to carry out any sort of test beyond a single 10 second exam of my penis and prostate, and said that it would be a pointless waste of time because the treatment progression is the same in every case. I am currently waiting to see a surgeon for assessment re. Implant but I can't help feeling that it is a very drastic course of action if not really required, please tell me, is this usual?

[ftwabeck3533]

Hi to all,
Is it usual for there to be some kind of diagnostic investigation into the specific cause of a man's ED before a treatment is decided upon?
My urologist refused to carry out any sort of test beyond a single 10 second exam of my penis and prostate, and said that it would be a pointless waste of time because the treatment progression is the same in every case.

I'm not surprised by the Urologist's statement. EF (erectile function) is a very complicated biological process involving so many aspects of the human anatomy: brain and nervous system, cardiovascular network, etc.

Your choices above and beyond doing nothing are: VEDs (vacuum erection devices), PDEs (pilss, Viagra/Cialis), injections (trimix and others), implant. All have been successful, and all have not.

This forum has a breadth and depth of information (user experiences), keep digging for info.

[niall4473]

Thanks for the reply, I have been through all the stages you mentioned except for the implant, without any success at all, and am waiting to see a surgeon now, but as to whether any operation will ever take place, your guess is as good as mine.
Cheers
Niall

[sogwap]

I cant answer your specific question. But I've seen four doctors specifically regarding my ED.
None of them offered any test nor did they ask for any history.
The two GP were quick to simply write scripts for Viagra or Cialis.

Ten years ago I went to a "men's clinic" paid $750 out of pocket, They never answered any of my questions. But write a script for Levitra.
Last month I went to a highly regarded urologist, waited 6 months just to see him. Grant I asked for him specifically and specifically asked about Penile injections (Trimix). The only test, exam, history, or test, was showing me how to inject the Trimix. I got a chubby out of it. And I have a follow up appointment next month. (Note: the full dose works fairly well.)

I can get an erection with 100 mg Viagra. But the erections are inconsistent and weak enough that my wife, stopped wanting sex.

From what I read doctors assume Viagra / Cialis will work for 80% men. (so try it and see)
The next step are injections, where they are noted to work for 80% men, where oral meds are not effective or do not work.

[niall4473]

Yes, I got that impression very strongly, that patients are simply given a range of treatments to try, beginning with Viagra, however my wife and I found that approach very difficult as time went on , frankly worse than just having ED, and our intimate relationship has suffered as a result, I am not sure if it is going to be worth the trouble of having the implant, if I am even suitable, as the way things are now it might be just a white elephant.

[wolfpacker]

Hi to all,
Is it usual for there to be some kind of diagnostic investigation into the specific cause of a man's ED before a treatment is decided upon?
My urologist refused to carry out any sort of test beyond a single 10 second exam of my penis and prostate, and said that it would be a pointless waste of time because the treatment progression is the same in every case. I am currently waiting to see a surgeon for assessment re. Implant but I can't help feeling that it is a very drastic course of action if not really required, please tell me, is this usual?

Your doc is correct unless the ED is caused by something like medication you're on (antidepressants etc), hormonal issues like low T, stuff like that. If there is a physical cause for your ED then yes, you will have to follow the standard treatment progression

[niall4473]

You mean like if if my T levels were <300 six years ago when I was tested, and I am on 150mg of Seratonin daily those are things that he ought to at least want to know?