The first step is a thorough physical examination and detailed medical and psychosexual history, and sometimes that's all the doctor requires to diagnose and recommend a treatment.

If you have a chronic health condition or your doctor suspects there's an underlying condition involved, he'll conduct the following tests:

• Physical exam: A careful examination of your penis and testicles and checking if there's any sensation in your nerves.
• Urine tests (urinalysis): A urine sample to check for signs of diabetes and other health conditions.
• Blood tests: A blood sample to check for signs of conditions such as heart disease, low testosterone, and diabetes.
• Ultrasound: A transducer (wand-like device) held over the blood vessels supplying the penis creates a video image for your doctor to see if there are blood flow problems.
• Psychological exam: Your doctor screens for depression and other possible psychological disorders by asking you some questions.

What Medications Can Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

As earlier mentioned, several medications, including prescription drugs and ** drugs, affect blood flow, and elevate the chances of you experiencing erectile dysfunction. These medications include:

• Antidepressants: Some antidepressants alter levels of brain chemicals such as prolactin, serotonin, and dopamine, although it's not clear how brain chemicals regulate sexual function.
• Chemotherapy drugs: Some chemo drugs cause peripheral neuropathy – damage to parts of the nervous system.
• Blood pressure drugs: Some of these drugs can prevent the relaxing of smooth muscle in your penis.
• Medications that decrease or block testosterone: Older antihistamines and heart drugs like digoxin and spironolactone can reduce or prevent testosterone from working, affecting interest in sex.
• Recreational drugs, both illegal and prescription, such as nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines, marijuana, and heroin, alter body functions, causing erectile dysfunction.

Natural Options for Erectile Dysfunction

Many men now prefer natural options for treating ED. Below are some solid natural options research has found can relieve erectile dysfunction:

Diet

Diet here encompasses some lifestyle changes, including minimizing your intake of refined grains and red and processed meat and eating a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grain, fish, and other natural foods. Such changes can provide relief without experiencing possible side effects like nasal congestion, flushing, headache, backache, and stomach upset. Smoking and alcohol intake, on the other hand, exacerbate the problem.‍

Supplements

There are several supplements available in the market claiming to work. However, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has issued warnings about many of these. You should always ensure you check with your doctor first, especially if you have chronic health conditions. The following dietary supplements are backed up by solid research as erectile dysfunction relievers:

• Panax ginseng, commonly referred to as herbal Viagra, especially for men with metabolic syndrome and high lipids in their blood.
• Rhodiola Rosea increases energy levels.
• L-arginine: An amino acid in the body that helps make nitric oxide relaxes blood vessels, facilitating erection.
• Nitric Oxide: is produced by nearly every type of cell in the human body and one of the most important molecules for blood vessel health.

Hormone Replacement

• DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone): A natural hormone produced by the adrenal glands and converted to estrogen and testosterone
• Male and female sex hormone management & balancing (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone)

Shockwave Therapy

Schockwave Therapy is a painless, non-invasive outpatient procedure requiring no surgery, injection, or pills. Low-impact physical stimulation reshapes penis tissue, encouraging the growth of new blood vessels essential for erection.