Erectile Dysfunction Assessment & Treatment in Brisbane
Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection is common and can have more than one cause. Specialist assessment can help identify contributing factors and explain the treatment pathways that may reasonably be considered.
Erectile dysfunction is not one single condition
Some men have difficulty becoming fully erect. Others can achieve an erection but have difficulty maintaining it. The pattern of the problem can help identify what may be contributing.
Erectile dysfunction may relate to blood flow, general health, medications, hormones, nerves, previous pelvic treatment, psychological factors, penile conditions such as Peyronie’s disease, or a combination of these.
In some men, erection problems may occur alongside cardiovascular or metabolic health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
What can cause erectile dysfunction?
More than one factor is often present. Assessment aims to understand the contributors that are relevant to you rather than assuming that every man has the same problem.
Blood flow & cardiovascular health
Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, vascular disease and other cardiovascular risk factors can affect erection quality.
Medications
Some medicines can contribute to erection problems. Medication should not be stopped or changed without appropriate medical advice.
Hormonal factors
Testosterone or other hormonal factors may be relevant in selected men, particularly when erection problems occur with reduced libido or other hormonal symptoms.
Nerve-related causes
Neurological conditions, diabetes and previous pelvic or prostate treatment can affect the nerve pathways involved in erections.
Penile conditions
Peyronie’s disease, penile curvature, pain or previous penile surgery may affect erection quality or sexual function.
Psychological & relationship factors
Stress, anxiety, mood, relationship factors and performance concerns can contribute either alone or together with physical causes.
What happens during an erectile dysfunction assessment?
The aim is to work out what is contributing to the problem before deciding which treatment options are reasonable to discuss.
Not every patient needs every investigation. Testing is guided by your symptoms, medical history, previous treatment and examination.
Understand the pattern
When the problem started, erection quality, morning or spontaneous erections, libido, ejaculation, previous treatment and the situations in which difficulty occurs.
Review your health
General health, cardiovascular risk factors, medications, previous pelvic or prostate treatment and relevant neurological or hormonal symptoms are considered.
Examination & selected tests
Examination and blood tests may be appropriate. Other investigations are considered only when they are likely to add useful information.
Discuss reasonable options
Management is matched to the likely cause, severity of the problem, previous treatment, general health and your priorities.
What treatments may be discussed?
Management is individual. Some men require only one approach, while others may consider different options over time.
Health & contributing factors
Cardiovascular risk, diabetes, smoking, sleep, weight, medication effects and psychological factors may be addressed where relevant.
Oral prescription treatment
Prescription medication may be considered for suitable patients after reviewing medical conditions, other medicines and potential contraindications.
Vacuum erection devices
A vacuum device is a non-surgical option that may be used for sexual activity or in selected penile rehabilitation settings.
Penile injection therapy
Injection therapy may be discussed when oral treatment is unsuitable or has not provided adequate rigidity.
Hormonal treatment
Hormonal management is considered only when clinical assessment and appropriate testing identify a relevant hormonal problem.
Penile implant surgery
Implant surgery may be considered for appropriately selected men with significant erectile dysfunction after assessment and discussion of alternatives, risks and limitations.
Not sure what to discuss next?
The ED Assessment & Treatment Discussion Guide asks a small number of questions about your erection problem and highlights information that may be useful to discuss during a consultation.
It does not diagnose the cause of erectile dysfunction or recommend a particular treatment.
Explore related erectile and penile health pathways
Peyronie’s Disease
Penile curvature, indentation, narrowing and erectile dysfunction can sometimes occur together.
Explore Peyronie’s disease →Penile Implant Surgery
Learn when penile implant surgery may enter the discussion and what factors are considered before surgery.
Explore penile implant surgery →ED, Implants & Peyronie’s Hub
Return to the main sexual and penile health pathway if you are not sure which condition best matches your concern.
View the main pathway →Patient Information Leaflets
Access additional patient education relating to erectile dysfunction and treatment options.
View patient leaflets →Patient Tools
Access educational tools for erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease, penile implant discussions and other urological concerns.
View patient tools →Interstate & International Patients
Learn how assessment may begin before travelling to Brisbane when specialist review is being considered.
View travel information →
Erectile dysfunction assessment with Dr Jack Crozier
Dr Jack Crozier is a Brisbane urologist and fellowship-trained andrologist whose subspecialty practice includes erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease, penile implant surgery and reconstructive andrology.
His advanced andrology fellowship at University College London Hospitals included penile prosthetic surgery, Peyronie’s disease surgery, male infertility and reconstructive andrology.
- FRACS-qualified Urological Surgeon
- Advanced Andrology Fellowship — UCLH, London
- Consultant Urologist — Princess Alexandra Hospital
- Brisbane, interstate and international patients
Erectile dysfunction FAQs
Is erectile dysfunction a normal part of ageing?
Erectile dysfunction becomes more common with age, but persistent erection problems should not automatically be dismissed as normal. Assessment may identify vascular, metabolic, medication-related, hormonal, neurological, penile or psychological contributors.
Can erectile dysfunction be related to heart health?
Yes. In some men, erectile dysfunction can occur alongside cardiovascular risk factors or vascular disease. General health, blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and other risk factors may therefore form part of an assessment.
Does erectile dysfunction mean my testosterone is low?
Not necessarily. Testosterone is only one possible contributor. Hormonal testing is most useful when the history or symptoms suggest that a hormonal problem may be relevant.
If tablets have not worked, do I need a penile implant?
No. Previous treatment response is only one part of the decision. Depending on the individual situation, other non-surgical or surgical options may be considered before penile implant surgery.
What if I have erectile dysfunction and penile curvature?
Erectile function and penile deformity should be assessed together. Peyronie’s disease can affect penile shape and may influence which management pathways are reasonable to discuss.
Can I start assessment if I live outside Brisbane?
For selected interstate and international patients, review of existing investigations and an initial consultation may be possible before travelling. Whether this is appropriate depends on the individual clinical situation.
Not sure why your erections have changed?
A structured assessment can help clarify the pattern of erectile dysfunction, possible contributing factors and which management options may be reasonable to discuss.