health

The diagnosis of any sexual disorder begins with taking a medical history
and performing a physical exam. The common causes of sexual disorders
are tested, such as diabetes, heart disease, or gland disorders. Blood and
urine tests are used to analyze the presence of hormones and to determine
the chromosomal gender. Any irregularities in hormonal or chromosomal
balance would indicate a disorder. The effort would be made to identify
and treat any underlying medical conditions. Many times the sexual disorder
disappears when treatment for the underlying condition is effective.
Hormonal imbalances indicate the need for diagnosis and treatment of
any disorders in the glands producing the hormone.
The beginning of the search for a diagnosis is a complete
history and a physical exam. A hormonal imbalance in men would be recognized
by feminine characteristics such as a high-pitched voice, and legs
and arms might be unusually large for the patient’s age. Other symptoms
include physical size below average for age in muscles and sexual organs.
For women, a hormonal imbalance would be recognized by a large clitoris
resembling a penis and a missing or malformed vagina.
For someone suspected of having an intersex condition because the
sexual organs are not clearly male or female, a series of tests should be conducted.
Blood tests would reveal the chromosomal gender. Sexual organs
that are not in the genital area, such as testes that have not descended,
can be detected by x-rays or ultrasound* imaging of the pelvic area.
Amniocentesis, which is the analysis of fluids drawn from the uterus of a
pregnant woman, can indicate developmental abnormalities of the fetus
and the irregular presence of sex hormones.

DIAGNOSIS

The diagnosis for sexual dysfunction in men and women begins with
a medical history and a physical exam for general physical health. Any
problems with blood flow can be identified through testing the blood
pressure in the legs. Any problems with the nerves in the penile area can
be detected through rectal exams, which would indicate if the nerves
in that area are healthy and fully functional. Problems with hormonal
imbalance can be indicated through blood tests. The nature of female
sexual disorders needs to be diagnosed by focusing on the specific cause.
Endometriosis is identified through a series of tests. An ultrasound of the
area can present visual evidence of the effects of endometriosis. A blood
test analyzes the presence of a blood protein common in women with
endometriosis. For men and women the doctor should do blood tests for
specific diseases associated with sexual dysfunction.