When you visit a doctor and tell him that you suspect you are suffering from ED, he may conduct some tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Sildenafil investigations

General
Investigations of blood sugar and urine are ideally performed to rule out a diabetic cause. Because renal failure is also frequently associated with ED, electrolytes and creatinine are also measured in addition to liver function tests, especially in those who admit to a high alcohol intake.

Specific

	Injection Test : Prostaglandin and Papavarine are two drugs injected into  the penis to investigate ED.
	Testing nocturnal rigidity of the penis by a specialised instrument called  rigiscan. Here the penile rigidity is tested on a monitor through the night as  during the deep sleep phase the penis becomes hard.
	Penile ultrasound is also done if erectile response to the injection test is  inadequate.

Please remember to consult your doctor if you feel you have ED. He is the best guide for testing and diagnosing ED.

A majority of ED cases are treatable, regardless of your age, the reason why you have ED or how long you've had it. The first step to moving beyond ED is to talk about your condition: with your doctor and with your partner.

Talking with your partner
Erectile dysfunction is a man's condition, but a couple's concern. Often, ED causes an emotional rift between couples. If you are unwilling to share your problems with your partner, she may tend to think that you've lost interest or no longer find her attractive. Opening up to your partner will clear these misconceptions.

Keeping communication channels open can help maintain emotional intimacy and encourage emotional support. Many men find that their partners are very willing to help them take the steps required to regain the special intimacy that sexual sharing can bring.

Don't be afraid to ask your partner for support. Men who involve their partners in an open, caring discussion find their partners are just as interested in sexual intimacy as they always were and are willing to lend support. An open discussion about ED can help alleviate many concerns you both may share. Making an appointment and visiting the doctor together can help you overcome the sense of anxiety or embarrassment that many men like you experience.

Partners of patients with ED often assume that ED is a normal part of aging. Some think losing interest in sex is a normal part of life. Many feel that their partners no longer find them attractive. It's important for both of you to remember that a majority of ED cases are associated with common physical conditions, apart from age. ED is a treatable medical condition and talking about it with your partner can be the first step in rediscovering intimacy.

With your partner's support, you can realize that sexual intimacy is an important part of your life together and see ED in the correct perspective: as a physical problem, not a sexual or masculine shortcoming.

Many couples have already turned to sildenafil citrate (Caverta) and rediscovered sexuality, romance and intimacy. Before this however, they took the first step: they communicated, shared and came closer together.

With your doctor
The best source of all information and clarifications on ED is your doctor. He can help identify the reasons for the problem and guide you through the best solution. Do not be embarrassed or reluctant to discuss ED with your doctor.

Don't hesitate to be open and honest about any problems you have getting or keeping an erection. Try to provide your doctor with as much information as possible. Remember, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Your Doctor has most likely diagnosed and treated ED many times and his goal is to help you recover.

If making an appointment to discuss ED is embarrassing for you, schedule a routine check-up instead and discuss your ED when you meet with your doctor.

Some ways to approach the subject may include:

	"Doctor, I'm having some trouble getting erections and I'm concerned."
	"My sex life isn't like it used to be."
	"I need to talk with you about my love life."
	"I have high blood pressure. I heard that it could cause erection problems. Is this true?"
	"Is it possible that the medications I take are causing me to have erection problems?"
	"Can you tell me more about CAVERTA?"

Your doctor will provide you with understanding, support, and most important, information. By being open and frank with your physician, you'll be able to effectively seek the treatment that is right for you.

When you see your Doctor it is likely that he or she will take a complete medical history and perform a physical examination. Together, you will probably talk about any medical conditions that you may have and review any medications that you are currently taking.

Here's what some actual patients have to say about the difficulties of facing ED:

	"You know, it's a medical problem...if you are not functioning, you have a medical problem that has a good possibility of being alleviated. So, why keep your mouth shut?"
	"My wife and I talked about it, and I said, 'The only thing I can do is see the doctor and see what he says,' because he usually takes care of everything anyway. He is pretty good at what he does...any time I have a problem; I can talk to him so easy, and he just helps me right along. He is between a father and a brother."
	"It's a thing that we need to talk about...doctors need to talk about it, patients need to talk about it, because you don't realize what you are doing to yourself by keeping this thing a secret."

If you think you have ED, consider doing what millions of men like you have done: talk to a doctor. Do not suffer silently; take the first step…move beyond ED.