|
July 19, 2008. A new survey reveals that while 82 percent of men with
erectile dysfunction (ED) surveyed recognize it as an indicator of other
health conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, nearly 40 percent
have never discussed the condition with their doctors. The survey, conducted
by Ipsos Public Affairs and sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY),
makers of Cialis® (tadalafil), was designed to further understand men's
current beliefs about ED and ED treatment options, as well as the
perceptions men have about communicating with their healthcare professional
about ED.
"Sexual health is considered by many doctors as the window into a man's
overall health -- for instance, erectile dysfunction can be an indicator of
other health issues," said Ridwan Shabsigh, M.D., director of the Division
of Urology at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY and professor of
clinical urology at Columbia University. "It's important for men with ED to
talk with their healthcare professional about ED and its treatment options.
For instance, Cialis for once daily use is a new low-dose ED treatment
option taken once a day and may be right for some men."
Perceived Barriers to the ED Conversation
According to the Ipsos survey results, discomfort discussing ED ranked as
the number one barrier to good communication between a man and his doctor --
mentioned by 74 percent of men with ED who participated in the survey. The
survey also found that, despite their discomfort, 64 percent of ED sufferers
surveyed wished they knew more about ED and its treatments.
"Unfortunately, men tend not to talk about ED with their partner, their
doctor or their friends," said Michael A. Perelman, Ph.D., co-director of
the Human Sexuality Program at the Payne Whitney Clinic at NY Weill Cornell
Medical Center in New York City. "As a psychologist and sexual medicine
specialist, I would encourage any man who thinks he might have ED to talk
with a healthcare professional to learn about available treatment options."
Patient-Physician Communication Helps Dispel ED Myths
A majority (88%) of men with ED surveyed recognize that ED is a treatable
condition, and the survey revealed that men who discuss ED with a doctor are
less likely to believe some of the common myths associated with ED
treatments.
-- Approximately seven in 10 (68%) men with ED surveyed who have spoken with
their doctor about ED do not believe that erections occur without any sexual
stimulation when using prescription ED drugs, compared to just a third (33%)
of those who have not spoken with their doctor.
-- Sixty-five percent of men with ED surveyed who have spoken with a doctor
about ED recognize that ED drugs do not immediately take effect after a few
minutes, compared to only 41 percent of men who have not spoken to a doctor.
About ED
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to attain and or
maintain erection to perform satisfactory sexual intercourse.(1) Although it
is estimated that ED affects more than 30 million men in the United States,
only a small fraction seek counseling or treatment.(2) Factors that can
contribute to ED include high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular
disease, high cholesterol, smoking, stress or anxiety, depression, low
testosterone levels and some types of prescription drugs.(3,4)
About the Survey
A total of 300 interviews were completed online between April 22 and April
29, 2008 among men who reported that they were age 45 and older, residing in
the U.S., and suffering from ED at least occasionally. For more information
on the complete survey results and methodology, please visit http://www.ipsos-na.com.
References
(1) European Society for Sexual Medicine (ESSM). "Male Sexual Dysfunction:
What is erectile dysfunction?"
http://www.essm.org/patient-area/erectile_dysf.asp#q1. Last
accessed April 8, 2008.
(2) American Urological Association. "2006 Annual Meeting Highlights".
(3) American Urological Association. "Non-surgical management of erectile
dysfunction."
http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=11&topic=174.
Last access June 9, 2008.
(4) Sexual Dysfunction Association. "Impotence or erectile dysfunction: |
