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
