Men Around The World Share Many Similar Attitudes - And Misperceptions - About Erectile Dysfunction

New survey emphasises need for better communications and education

Amsterdam, August 25, 1998- From Europe to Asia to Latin America, men have strikingly similar views - including some that are incorrect - about erectile dysfunction (ED), according to a survey of over 4,000 men age 40+ in 10 countries released today at the International Society for Impotence Research's [www.stockton-press.co.uk/ijir] (ISIR) annual meeting.

The survey, sponsored Pfizer Inc. and conducted by Market & Opinion Research International (MORI), found that on average, half of men^* thought that ED is caused by psychological factors, such as stress and anxiety, while fewer that 25% identified hypertension and diabetes, two medical conditions that are among the most common causes associated with ED. One in three said they believe that ED is a natural consequence of ageing.

"This survey reveals that pervasiveness of the myths that continue to cloud the understanding of ED" said Robert Krane, M.D., Professor and Chairman of the Department of Urology at Boston University School of Medicine and former President of the ISIR. "It is time to dispel the belief that ED is solely a psychological condition or simply part of growing older, and educate people about the underlying medical conditions and modifiable risk factors that frequently contribute to erectile dysfunction."

The survey of 4,274 men^* in Asia, Europe, Central/Latin America, and Africa offers the first in-depth global look at men's attitudes about ED, a condition that is estimated to affect more than 100 million men world-wide. According to one study conducted in men age 40 to 70 in Massachusetts, up to 35% of men reported moderate to complete ED.

On men's minds, but difficult to discuss

The current survey also highlighted the large communication gap between men and their general practitioners about sexual functioning. More than 80% of men^* polled said that their doctors have never asked them about their sexual functioning and 84% said they have never initiated a discussion with their doctors about this topic. However, 66% agreed that talking about ED would help lift the stigma associated with the condition, and result in helping more men with ED.

• The survey, which was conducted from March to May in Argentina, China, France, Germany, Mexico, Morocco, Norway, South Korea, Sweden, and Turkey, also found that:
• From a a list of 12 medical conditions, ED was cited most frequently (40%) as the health issue for which men^* would least often seek help from health professionals, followed by hair loss (34%), tiredness (25%), and depression (21%).
• Nearly half (45%) of all men^* surveyed said that having ED caused - or could cause - relationship problems.
• Nearly one in five respondents^* (17%) admitted to experiencing ED; 20% said they knew someone who had experienced the condition; and one third (32%) said ED is more common among men age 40+ than among younger men.
• * age 40+

"The results demonstrate that there is a considerable stigma among men around the world about sexual health problems such as ED," said Michele Corrado, Director of Health and Social Research, MORI. "Yet at the same time, they believe this stigma could be reduced, and more men helped, if they talked about such problems."

"Sexual health remains a sensitive topic for many men world-wide, which may decrease the likelihood that men who suffer from the condition will seek medical help," added Iсigo Sбenz de Tejada, M.D., President of the European Society of Impotence Research. "Therefore, it is incumbent upon us as healthcare professionals to facilitate communication about this important medical condition and help the many men who may be suffering silently."

Sensitive topic, treatable condition

Erectile dysfunction (ED), which also has been referred to as impotence, is defined as a persistent inability to achieve and/or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory intercourse. In most cases, ED is associated with underlying health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and vascular diseases (eg. hardening of the arteries). ED also may be associated with psychiatric conditions (eg. depression), as well as some medications taken to treat other medical conditions, excessive smoking and alcohol use, and emotional factors. ED usually results from a combination of these conditions and factors.

ISIR, MORI, and Pfizer

The International Society of Impotence Research (ISIR) was founded in 1978 and remains the only international organisation devoted to the advancement of medical research on impotence. ISIR membership is based on a union of four regional member societies representing more than 350 physicians from more than 30 countries.

Founded in 1969, MORI is the largest independent, full-service polling agency in Great Britain and has offices around the world.

Pfizer Inc. is a research-based healthcare company with global operations. In 1997, the company reported revenues of about $12.5 billion and invested more than $1.9 billion in research and development.

Technical details

MORI interviewed representative samples of men aged 40+ in each of the 10 countries surveyed (nationwide or in urban areas) from 30 March- 30 May 1998. A total of 4,274 men were interviewed using face-to-face interviews and/or self-completion methodology in each country. In the following six countries, urban populations were interviewed: Argentina, China, Mexico, South Korea, Morocco, and Turkey