Test Overview
Tests for erection problems can help find out why a man can't have or maintain an erection. This problem is called erectile dysfunction, or impotence. It's a common male problem. Most erection problems are caused by a mix of blood vessel, nerve, or psychological issues.
To
find the cause, your doctor will first ask about your
sexual history and do a
physical exam. During this exam, the doctor
will:
- Check your blood pressure.
- Check
your penis and testicles for any problems.
- Order blood tests to
check hormone levels.
Other tests that may be done as part of the exam
include:
If the results of your physical exam and other tests are
normal, your doctor may have you try a medicine that helps cause an erection. If the medicine doesn't help, then you may need more
tests.
This topic focuses on three more tests you may have after
the physical exam and lab tests listed above. These three tests are:
- Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT)
test.
- Intracavernosal injection test.
- Doppler
ultrasound.
Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test
The NPT
test checks to see if a man is having normal erections during sleep. Most men
have 3 to 5 full erections during deep sleep. Men
who don't have erections because of psychological problems can still have
erections during deep sleep. Sometimes, sleep problems or serious
depression can prevent these normal nighttime erections.
This test can be done at home or in a special sleep lab.
Tests are usually done for at least 2 nights in a row.
If good erections occur during sleep, the cause of the erection problems is most likely not physical.
The NPT test may also be called the
stamp test or the rigidity test.
Intracavernosal injection test
During this test,
the doctor injects a medicine into the side of the
penis to make an erection. The fullness of the erection
and how long the erection lasts are measured.
Doppler ultrasound test
Doppler ultrasound uses a handheld tool that is passed gently over the
penis. The tool uses reflected sound waves to show blood flow on a computer screen.
The results of your tests may show which kind of treatment is a good choice for you.
- Erection Problems: Should I Try Injection Treatments?
Why It Is Done
Tests for erection problems are done
to help find out if the cause of an erection problem is physical,
psychological, or both.
Physical causes include:
- Problems with the nerves of the penis.
Problems such as
multiple sclerosis or
diabetes may cause nerve damage. Surgery, injury, or radiation treatment to
the pelvic area can also damage the nerves of the
penis.
- Problems with the blood vessels that supply blood to the
penis. Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) can limit blood flow. And long-distance bicycle riding on a hard,
narrow saddle may increase a man's risk for having an erection problem.
- Low levels of hormones, such as
testosterone or
thyroid hormones.
- Side effects of
medicines, such as medicines taken for
high blood pressure or
depression.
- The use of tobacco, alcohol,
or
illegal drugs.
Psychological tests may be needed if no physical cause is
found for an erection problem. Psychological causes of erection problems may
include:
- Anxiety about sexual
performance.
- Relationship
problems.
- Stress.
- Depression or grief.
How To Prepare
Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test
Before the test, do not take
any medicines that cause an erection. These medicines include sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil
(Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra).
Do not drink
alcohol or take sleeping pills for 2 days before you have an NPT test. The alcohol and the pills can change your deep sleep time. This can affect nighttime erections.
Intracavernosal injection test
Tell your doctor if you:
- Are allergic to any
medicine.
- Take a blood thinner, or if you have had bleeding problems.
- Have ever had an erection that lasted more than 3 hours.
Doppler ultrasound
You may be asked to avoid
products with nicotine (cigarettes, chewing tobacco) for 30 minutes to
2 hours before the test.
How It Is Done
Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test
It is
helpful if you wear briefs-type underwear (not boxer shorts) with a fly front
when you are ready for bed. Put your penis through the fly front. Keep your
pubic hair inside the underwear out of the way. Put the device around your
penis. After you put on the device, carefully put your penis inside your
underwear.
The types of devices you can use include:
- Snap gauge. A snap
gauge is a ring-shaped device made of plastic films that fit around the penis.
The films break at certain pressures. A snap gauge will break during an
erection. It can also tell how firm the penis became during the erection. This
test is usually done 2 or 3 nights in a row.
- Electronic devices. These devices measure changes in the
fullness of the penis. They have one or more elastic loops that fit
around the penis. These are hooked to a small unit that records changes as the
loops are stretched.
Intracavernosal injection test
This test is generally done by a
urologist in the office or clinic. For this test, you
will need to take off all of your clothes below the waist. You will be
given a cloth or paper gown to use.
While you sit or stand, your
penis will be cleaned with a special soap. Then your doctor will inject a
medicine into the side of your penis with a small needle. Your doctor may massage the penis for a few seconds to help spread
the medicine in the penis. Some doctors may use a band that is gently tightened
around the base of the penis for 5 minutes after the medicine is given. The band is to make
sure an erection occurs.
A low dose of the medicine is used at
first. If the low dose does not cause an erection, then a larger dose may be
used. An erection should occur within 5 to 10 minutes after the medicine is
given.
A
similar medicine may also be placed into the
urethra, the tube through which urine leaves the
penis. This is called an intraurethral injection.
The medicine may also be given in a thin tablet that is put
in the urethra.
After the medicine is given, you may be asked to
watch sexually arousing movies or to massage your penis to cause an
erection. Your doctor will measure how rigid the erection is and how long it lasts.
After the test, your doctor may inject a second medicine to make sure your
erection goes away.
Doppler ultrasound
The Doppler ultrasound test is
done by a urologist or ultrasound technician.
You will lie down on
an exam table. Your doctor may need to inject a medicine or use a soft
band around the penis to cause an erection. This lets the doctor see blood flow through the
vessels.
How It Feels
Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test
An NPT test does not cause any discomfort. But you may feel
embarrassed about doing the test. Remember that it's important to find the reason you are not able to have an erection. You don't need to feel
embarrassed.
Intracavernosal injection test
During the test, you will feel a sharp sting in your penis from the needle. If you feel a burning or aching pain during
the erection, tell your doctor right away.
Doppler ultrasound
The ultrasound does not cause
any pain. If you get a medicine or device during the test to cause an erection,
you may feel embarrassed. The shot may hurt a bit.
Risks
Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test
There are
no problems from having the NPT test.
Intracavernosal injection test
This test has a small chance of causing:
- Bleeding at the injection
site.
- Bruising or swelling around the injection
site.
- An erection that lasts for 3 or more hours. It is a rare side effect of some medicines used for this test. If
this occurs, it can likely be reversed with another medicine.
Doppler ultrasound
There are no problems from an
ultrasound test. If a device is used to cause an erection, you may have some
mild pain. If a shot of medicine is used, you have the same chance for
problems as the intracavernosal injection test.
Results
Tests for erection problems can help
find out why a man can't have or maintain an erection. This problem is called erectile dysfunction, or impotence.
Tests for erection problems may include blood tests for testosterone,
luteinizing hormone, prolactin, and thyroid hormone. A urine test, complete
blood count, blood sugar level, and cholesterol and triglyceride levels may
also be done.
To learn more about lab tests done for
erection problems, see:
Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test
An erection
has likely occurred if:
- One or more films on the snap gauge have
broken.
- The electronic device has recorded an increase in penis
size.
An erection has likely not occurred if:
- None of the films on the snap gauge have
broken.
- The electronic device has not recorded an increase in penis
size.
The test is more accurate if repeat tests show the same
results.
Intracavernosal injection test
An erection is usually measured on a scale of 0 to 4. A full erection is a 4.
- If the test causes an erection with a value
of 3 or 4, it is likely that your erection problems do not have a physical
cause.
- If the test causes an erection with a value of 0 to 2, your
erection problems may have a physical cause.
Doppler ultrasound
The ultrasound can show if you
have blood flow problems as the cause of your erection problems.
What Affects the Test
You may not be able to have the test, or the results may not be helpful, if:
- You feel anxious or have pain during the
injection test.
- You have sleep problems or use sleeping pills.
- You use tobacco, alcohol, or
illegal drugs.
What To Think About
- Your doctor may do a digital rectal exam
to check your prostate gland. To learn more, see the topic
Digital Rectal Examination (DRE).
- Doppler
ultrasound may not be widely available. To learn more, see the topic
Doppler Ultrasound.
- Random erection
problems are normal. In most cases, if you can have and maintain a full
erection, tests may not be needed. Your problem may be from
stress or anxiety or relationship problems.
- Your doctor may suggest psychological tests if no physical cause is found for your erection problem. You may
want to see a counselor who specializes in sexual problems.
- An
angiogram may be suggested if tests can't find a cause for your
erection problems. This is an X-ray test that takes pictures of the
blood flow in an artery. To learn more, see the topic
Angiogram. Experts are not sure how useful this test is. That's because treatment to repair the blood vessels of the penis
will be a choice for only a few men with this specific
problem.
- Dorsal nerve conduction tests, evoked potential studies,
and penile biothesiometry are extensive neurologic tests to check the nerve
supply to the penis. These nervous system tests are not generally done or are
not widely available.
Other Places To Get Help
Organizations
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (U.S.)
www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov
Urology Care Foundation (U.S.)
www.urologyhealth.org
References
Other Works Consulted
- Bella AJ, Lue TF (2008). Male sexual dysfunction. In EA Tanagho, JW McAninch, eds., Smith's General Urology, 17th ed., pp. 589-610. New York: McGraw-Hill.
- Burnett AL (2012). Evaluation and management of erectile dysfunction. In AJ Wein et al., eds., Campbell-Walsh Urology, 10th ed., vol. 1, pp. 721-748. Philadelphia: Saunders.
Credits
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerChristopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology, Oncology
Current as ofMarch 14, 2017