Persistent ED is not a problem that will just go away. If you suspect you have ED, it's important to make a medical appointment as soon as the problem becomes apparent. This can help avoid psychological problems, which may worsen the condition. It can also help you get treatment for a serious underlying physical condition (such as diabetes or heart disease) which may first become apparent through symptoms of ED.

Self-Test
Not sure if you have ED? Try taking this self-test. If you answer "yes" to any of the first six questions, you should see a urologist who specializes in the treatment of ED. If your current doctor does not regularly treat ED, ask for a referral to a urologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of ED.

When you see the urologist, share the answers from this self-test. The information will be valuable to the doctor as he or she determines a diagnosis.

Current Sexual Performance
1. Have you had any difficulty recently in achieving erections?
2. Does this problem occur at least three out of every four times that you attempt intercourse?

Sexual Performance Trends
3. Have you been having difficulty for longer than one month in achieving erections regularly?
4. Are morning and spontaneous erections becoming less common?
5. Does it take much longer to achieve an erection than in the past?
6. Has it become more difficult to have intercourse in certain sexual positions?

Medical History
7. Have you ever been told you have any form of heart disease, especially hardening of the arteries, peripheral arterial disease (PAD) or hypertension?
8. Have you ever had an operation for heart disease or some other cardiovascular problem?
9. Have you ever been told you have an elevated cholesterol level?
10. Do you ever experience serious pain in the legs when walking?
11. Are you taking any form of drug for a cardiovascular problem, especially hypertension?*
12. Are you taking drugs on a prescription basis for any other problem?*
13. Do you have any known glandular disorder, especially diabetes?
14. Do you have any neurological disorder, such as multiple sclerosis or epilepsy?
15. Have you ever had major surgery in the pelvic area, especially surgery involving the prostate gland or colon?
16. Have you ever had an injury involving the pelvic area, back, spinal cord, or head?
17. Have you ever been treated with radiation therapy for a problem in the pelvic area?
18. Have you ever had an episode of priapism (persistent and painful erection)?

Lifestyle
19. Do you now smoke or did you once smoke for a long period of time?
20. Are you a heavy drinker or a diagnosed alcoholic?
21. Have you used illegal drugs, especially cocaine?
22. Are you a frequent user of non-prescription drugs?
23. Are you excessively overweight?

*Note: Never change your prescription medication or dosage level without consulting your physician.

Self-test questions are reprinted and edited with permission from Love Again, Live Again by Steven Morganstern, MD and Allen Abrahams, PhD (Prentice Hall 1988).