Dr. Lee was born in Shanghai, China, and received his college and medical training in the United States. He is fluent in English and three Chinese dialects. He graduated with chemistry departmental honors from Harvey Mudd College. He was appointed president of AOA society at UCLA School of Medicine. He underwent internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship training at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.
Dr. Nabili received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), majoring in chemistry and biochemistry. He then completed his graduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His graduate training included a specialized fellowship in public health where his research focused on environmental health and health-care delivery and management.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
A diagnosis of erectile dysfunction is made in men who have repeated
inability to achieve and/or maintain an erection for satisfactory sexual
performance for at least three months. Candid communication between the patient and
the doctor is important in establishing the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction,
assessing its severity, and determining the cause. During patient interviews,
doctors try to answer the following questions:
Is the patient suffering from erectile dysfunction or
from loss of libido or a disorder of ejaculation (for example, premature ejaculation)?
Is erectile dysfunction due to psychological or physical factors? Healthy
men have involuntary erections in the early morning and during REM sleep (a stage in the
sleep cycle with rapid eye movements). Men with psychogenic erectile
dysfunction (erectile dysfunction due to psychological factors such as stress
and anxiety rather than physical factors) usually maintain these involuntary
erections. Men with physical causes of erectile dysfunction (for example,
atherosclerosis, smoking, and diabetes) usually do not have these involuntary
erections.
Are there physical causes of erectile dysfunction? A
prior history of cigarette smoking, heart attacks, strokes, and poor
circulation in the extremities suggest atherosclerosis as the cause of the
erectile dysfunction. Diminished sensation of the penis and the testicles,
bladder dysfunction, and decreased sweating in the lower extremities may suggest
diabetic nerve damage. Loss of sexual desire and drive, lack of sexual
fantasies, gynecomastia (enlargement of breasts), and diminished facial hair
suggest low testosterone levels.
Is the patient taking medications that can contribute to erectile
dysfunction?
Physical examination
The physical examination can reveal clues for physical causes of erectile dysfunction. For example, if the penis does not respond as expected to touching, a problem in the nervous system may be the cause. Small testicles, lack of facial hair, and enlarged breasts (gynecomastia) can point to hormonal problems such as hypogonadism with low testosterone levels. A reduced flow of blood as a result of atherosclerosis can sometimes be diagnosed by finding diminished arterial pulses in the legs or listening with a stethoscope for bruits (the sound of blood flowing through narrowed arteries). Unusual characteristics of the penis itself could suggest the root of the erectile dysfunction, for example, bending of the penis with painful erection could be the result of Peyronie's disease. Particular attention is paid to any underlying risk factors for erectile dysfunction.
Laboratory tests
The following are common laboratory tests to evaluate erectile dysfunction:
Complete blood counts
Urinalysis: An abnormal urinalysis may be a sign of diabetes mellitus and
kidney damage.
Lipid profile: High levels of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) in the
blood promotes atherosclerosis.
Blood glucose levels: Abnormally high blood glucose levels may be a sign
of diabetes mellitus.
Blood hemoglobin A 1c: Abnormally high levels of blood hemoglobin A 1c in
patients with diabetes mellitus establish that there is poor control of blood
glucose levels.
Serum creatinine: An abnormal serum creatinine may be the result of
kidney damage due to diabetes.
Liver enzymes and liver function tests: Advanced liver disease (cirrhosis) can result in hormonal imbalance and gonad dysfunction leading to low testosterone levels. Thus, evaluation for liver disease may be necessary in cases of erectile dysfunction.
Total testosterone levels: Blood samples for total testosterone levels
should be obtained in the early morning (before 8 a.m.) because of wide
fluctuations in the testosterone levels throughout the day. A low total
testosterone level suggests hypogonadism. Measurement of bio-available
testosterone may be a better measurement than total testosterone, especially in
obese men and men with liver disease, but measurement of bio-available
testosterone is not widely available.
Other hormone levels: Measurement of other hormones beside testosterone (luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin level, and cortisol level) may provide clues to other underlying causes of testosterone deficiency and erectile problems, such as pituitary disease or adrenal gland abnormalities. Thyroid levels may be routinely checked as both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can contribute to erectile dysfunction.
PSA levels: PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood levels and prostate
examination to exclude prostate cancer is important before starting testosterone
treatment since testosterone can aggravate prostate cancer.
Other blood tests: Evaluation for hemochromatosis, lupus, scleroderma, zinc deficiency, sickle cell anemia, cancers (leukemia, colon cancer) are some of the other potential tests that may be performed based on each individual's history and symptoms.
Imaging tests
In a setting of a previous pelvic trauma, X-rays may be performed to assess various bony abnormalities. Ultrasound of the penis and testicles is done occasionally to check for testicular size and structural abnormalities. Ultrasound with Doppler imaging can provide additional information about blood flow of the penis. Rarely, an angiogram may be performed in cases in which possible vascular surgery could be beneficial.
Other tests
Prostaglandin E1 injection test is sometimes performed to determine the penile blood flow. Prostaglandin is directly injected into the corpora cavernosa in order to cause dilation of blood vessels and promote blood flow into the penis. If erection ensues, it confirms normal or adequate blood flow to the penis. This can also provide information about possible therapeutic options.
Monitoring erections that occur during sleep (nocturnal penile tumescence) can help distinguish between erectile dysfunction of psychological and physical causes. A band is worn around the penis for
two to three successive nights and it can signal intensity and duration of erections if they occur. If nocturnal erections do not occur, then the cause of erectile dysfunction is likely to be physical rather than psychological, however, tests of nocturnal erections are not completely reliable. Scientists have not standardized the tests and have not determined in whom they should be done.
Direct vibrational stimulation (biothesiometry) is occasionally done to evaluate penile nerve function. Small electromagnetic electrodes are placed on the shaft of the penis and vibration amplitude is slightly adjusted until sensation is noted by the patient. Although this test does not measure the exact nerve function, it serves as a screening method to detect any sensory nerve deficit as the cause of ED.
Psychosocial examination
A psychosocial examination using an interview and questionnaire may reveal
psychological factors contributing to erectile dysfunction. The sexual partner
also may be interviewed to determine expectations and perceptions encountered
during sexual intercourse.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
Liver disease can be cause by a variety of things including infection (hepatitis), diseases such as gallstones, high cholesterol or triglycerides, blood flow obstruction to the liver, and toxins (medications and chemicals). Symptoms of liver disease depends upon the cause; however, common symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, upper right abdominal pain, and jaundice. Treatment depends upon the cause of the liver disease.
Low testosterone can affect both men and women. Causes of low testosterone in males include undescended testicles and injury to the scrotum. Low testosterone in females includes ovary conditions. Treatment for low testosterone in men includes testosterone replacement therapy. Currently there is no FDA approved testosterone treatment for women.
Cholesterol is naturally produced by the body, and is a building block for cell membranes and hormones. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is the "bad" cholesterol, conversely, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is the "good" cholesterol. High cholesterol treatment includes lifestyle changes (diet and exercise), and medications such as statins, bile acid resins, and fibric acid derivatives.
Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. The principal types of depression are major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disease (also called manic-depressive disease).
Parkinson's disease is a slowly progressive neurologic disease characterized by a fixed inexpressive face, a tremor at rest, slowing of voluntary movements, a gait with short accelerating steps, peculiar posture and muscle weakness, caused by degeneration of an area of the brain called the basal ganglia, and by low production of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Most patients are over 50, but at least 10 percent are under 40.
Testicular pain, or pain in the testicle or testicles are caused by a variety of diseases or conditions such as testicular trauma, testicular torsion, testicular cancer, epididymitis, and orchitis. Common symptoms of pain in the testicle or testicles are abdominal pain, urinary pain or incontinence, fever, nausea, vomiting, and pain in the scrotum or testicle. Treatment depends on the cause of the testicular pain or pain in the testicles.
Drug addiction is a chronic disease that causes drug-seeking behavior and drug use despite negative consequences to the user and those around him. Though the initial decision to use drugs is voluntary, changes in the brain caused by repeated drug abuse can affect a person's self-control and ability to make the right decisions and increase the urge to take drugs. Drug abuse and addiction are preventable.
Male sexual dysfunction can be caused by physical or psychological problems. Common sexual problems in men include erectile dysfunction (impotence or ED), premature ejaculation and loss of libido. Treatment for sexual dysfunction in men may involve medication, hormone therapy, psychological therapy, and the use of mechanical aids.
Diabetic Neuropathy is a complication of diabetes that causes damage to the nerves; this is related to the blood glucose of the body being too high for a long period of time. The four types of neuropathy include peripheral, autonomic, proximal and focal.
Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harm family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
Penis disorders (male reproductive problems) include priapism, Peyronie's disease, balanitis, phimosis, paraphimosis, and penile cancer. Read on for causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. These disorders can affect a man's fertility and sexual functioning. A variety of treatments are available for these disorders.
Prolactinoma is an adenoma (benign tumor) of the pituitary gland. Causes of many prolactinomas are unknown. Symptoms in women include changes in menstruation and infertility, decreased libido, or painful intercourse due to vaginal dryness. The most common symptom in men is impotence (erectile dysfunction). Treatment of prolactinomas are medication or surgery.
Enjoying a satisfying sex life as we age is important to both physical and mental health. As we age, diseases and conditions may pose challenges in our sexual health, and sexual experiences. Learn how to manage your conditions and still have a gratifying sex life as you age.
Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances that are related to testosterone and promote skeletal muscle growth and the development of male sexual characteristics in both men and women. In the 1930s, it was discovered that anabolic steroids could promote skeletal muscle growth in lab animals, which lead to anabolic steroid abuse by bodybuilders and weight lifters.
Sexual health information including birth control, impotence, herpes, sexually transmitted diseases, staying healthy, women's sexual health concerns, and men's sexual health concerns. Learn about the most common sexual conditions affecting men and women.
Peyronie's disease is a condition characterized by a hard lump, or plaque, that forms within the penis. Symptoms of Peyronie's disease range from mild to severe. Treatment for Peyronie's disease includes medication, and often surgery.
Men's health is an important component to a happy lifestyle and healthy relationships. Eating healthy, exercise, managing stress, and knowing when to have medical tests for a particular age is key to disease prevention in men.
Having diabetes can mean early onset and increased severity of bladder symptoms (urinary incontinence and urinary tract infections) and changes in sexual function. Men may have erectile dysfunction; and women may have problems with sexual response and vaginal lubrication. Keep your diabetes under control, and you can lower your risk of sexual and urologic problems.
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