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Help-seeking decisions among men with impotence
K S Ansong1, C Lewis, P Jenkins
1Division of Urology and Research Institute, Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown, New York 13326, USA.
Urology
|November 4, 1998
Summary
Most men with impotence do not seek treatment, even with effective options available. Of those who do seek help for erectile dysfunction, a significant portion report dissatisfaction with the outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Men's Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects a significant number of men, yet contemporary data on treatment-seeking behaviors are limited.
- Understanding the proportion of men with ED who seek medical care is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the proportion of impotent men seeking treatment for erectile dysfunction.
- To identify the healthcare providers consulted by men with ED.
- To explore the reasons for seeking or not seeking treatment for ED.
Main Methods:
- A self-administered survey was conducted among 5198 randomly selected men aged 50-76 in rural New York.
- The study specifically analyzed data from 649 men who reported experiencing impotence within the six months prior to the survey.
Main Results:
- Only 31.6% of men experiencing impotence sought treatment.
- Primary care providers (44.7%) and urologists (40.7%) were the most common first points of contact.
- Key reasons for seeking treatment included improved self-esteem and awareness of new therapies, while embarrassment and misinformation were major barriers to seeking care.
Conclusions:
- Despite advances in effective treatments for erectile dysfunction, the majority of affected men do not pursue medical help.
- Among men who seek treatment for ED, satisfaction levels are low, with only 36.3% reporting positive outcomes.