diagnosis guide
If you’ve just received a medical diagnosis, or you’re concerned that something in your present or past health history might be jeopardizing your fertility, check here for quick info on common medical conditions and how they can affect conception and pregnancy.
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Erectile Dysfunction
What It Is
Also known as impotence, it is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection.
Who Gets It
According to the National Institutes of Health, ED affects as many as 30 million men in the United States. About 70 percent of chronic cases are caused by diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, high blood pressure, and heart disease, which interfere with blood flow to the penis. Other common causes include antidepressant and high blood pressure medications; psychological factors such as depression, stress, or anxiety; and lifestyle choices, such as smoking and excessive alcohol use.
Symptoms
Occasional difficulty in maintaining an erection is normal. Erectile dysfunction is the inability to maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse at least 25 percent of the time.
How It's Diagnosed/Detected
A doctor may do blood tests to check hormone levels and check for underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes. If a man is taking prescription drugs, the doctor may try eliminating or reducing them one at a time to determine whether any is responsible for the problem. More specialized tests for diagnosing ED include neurological evaluation to check for nerve damage and ultrasound or injection of dye to assess blood flow to the penis.
How It Affects Fertility (And Pregnancy)
While ED is not a cause of infertility, it can make conceiving a child naturally next to impossible.
Treatment
Many men are helped by oral drugs known by the brand names Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra. These work by relaxing muscles in the penis, which increases blood flow that leads to an erection in response to sexual stimulation. Other treatments include an external penis pump or penile implants surgically implanted along the penis, which mechanically produce an erection. When ED is the result of anxiety or stress, sex therapy can be a valuable treatment.
Pregnancy Prognosis
A couple hoping to conceive should definitely seek help for ED, which has numerous causes and treatments. There is a good chance it can be overcome sufficiently to achieve pregnancy naturally.
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