Tests for Erection Problems

Erection Problems Tests, Intracavernosal Injection Test (for Erection Problems), Nocturnal Penile Tumescence Test, Rigidity Test (for Erection Problems), Stamp Test (for Erection Problems)

Risks

There is very little chance of problems from having blood drawn from a vein for blood tests. You may get a small bruise at the site. You can keep pressure on the site for several minutes after the blood test to prevent bruising.

There are no problems from collecting a urine sample.

Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test

There are no problems from having the nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test.

Intracavernosal injection test

The intracavernosal injection test has a small chance of causing:

• Bleeding at the injection site.
• Bruising or swelling around the injection site.
• An erection that lasts for 4 or more hours. This condition, called priapism, is a rare side effect of some medicines used for this test. If priapism occurs, it usually can be reversed using 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 discomfort. If a shot of medicine is used, you have the same chance for problems as the intracavernosal injection test.

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Author:	Monica Rhodes	Last Updated: May 21, 2008
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology/Oncology
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