The Myths V The Facts
- Myth 1: ED is not a common condition
- Research has established that prevalence of ED among Australian men ranges from:
13.1% of 40-49 year olds
33.5% of 50-59 year olds
51.5% in 60-69 year olds
69.2% of 70-79 year olds(*) - This equates to an estimated 1 million Australian men.
- Myth 2: ED is all in the mind
- Less than 20% of ED cases have only a psychological cause.
- Approximately 80 percent of ED cases have a cause that is predominantly physical.
- ED is more common in men who suffer chronic conditions such as depression, diabetes, cardiovascular and neurological diseases.
- Up to 75 per cent of men with diabetes may experience ED at some point in their life.
- Smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, stress and a sedentary lifestyle are likely risk factors for ED.
- ED can be a side effect of some medications.
- Myth 3: ED has no medical significance
- ED is recognised as a marker of possible underlying serious disease such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
- Early diagnosis of some diseases could be made possible if more doctors discussed ED with their patients.
- Myth 4: ED is a normal part of aging
- Incidence of ED increases with age because incidence of associated risk factors such as diabetes and heart disease also increase with age.
- Myth 5: Most therapies solve the problem completely
- Only about 10 percent of Australian men with ED seek treatment.
- Advanced therapies enable couples spontaneity and freedom to choose the moment without the stress of time pressures.
- There is limited awareness about the availability of new drugs such as Levitra and Cialis.<
- Myth 6: ED is only a man’s problem
- ED has a major impact on interpersonal relationships and quality of life.
- ED is a couple’s problem. A partner may incorrectly believe that ED means that their partner is no longer attracted to them, or has found another lover, or doesn’t enjoy sex with them.
- Partners are often forgotten in the treatment of ED. Treatment is more than restoring erections. It’s about finding ways to get relationships back on track.
(*)Chew KK, et al. Erectile dysfunction in general medicine practice: prevalence and clinical correlates. Int J Impot Res 2000; 12: 41-45
If you are interested in research on ED, the Institute for Erectile Dysfunction Research has set up a new database and resource for news and research on ED at Erectile Dysfunction Central ( http://www.erectiledysfunctioncentral.org ). The site is updated weekly and is available in 23 languages. The site also aggregates research and news on viagra, cialis, levitra, and natural remedies for Ed.
June 5th, 2008 at 7:05 am