General Public Attitudes To The Treatment Of Erectile Dysfunction

85% of the general public think that their doctor should decide whether they receive treatment on the NHS, compared with only 9% who believe that this should be the Government's decision

(Interviewees were informed that 'male impotence can be the result of a variety of causes, most frequently other diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease or nerve damage.)

The Government has proposed that men with impotence resulting from spinal cord injury should receive their impotence treatment on the NHS, whilst those whose impotence is caused by cancer treatments are not eligible to receive impotence treatment on the NHS

85% of the general public believe this is unfair

The Government has proposed that men with impotence resulting from diabetes should receive their impotence treatment on the NHS, whilst those whose impotence is caused by heart disease are not eligible to receive impotence treatment on the NHS.

79% of the general public believe this is unfair

The Government has proposed that men with impotence resulting from rare nerve disorders should receive their impotence treatment on the NHS, whilst those whose impotence is caused by psychological problems are not eligible to receive impotence treatment on the NHS.

65% of the general public believe this is unfair

79% of the general public think that having a regular sex life is important for a person to enjoy life in general, whilst 85% believe it is important to maintain a good relationship with their partner.

81% of the general public agree that couples who are unable to have sex because of male impotence should be able to obtain help for their problem on the NHS.

When informed that impotence may indicate illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure, which may otherwise be undetected if men do not seek help for their impotence, 70% of the general public believe it is, therefore, important that impotence be treated on the NHS.

When informed that women are currently able to receive hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for their sexual problems on the NHS, 82% of the general public agree that treatment for male sexual problems should be available on the NHS.

Technical details

MORI interviewed a representative quota sample of 601 adults aged 18+ in Great Britain by telephone. Fieldwork was from 17-21 February 1999. All data have been weighted to the known profile of the British population. Telephone survey conducted by MORI of 501 members of the general public.