Perceptions of Erectile Dysfunction Treatment of Patients Visiting a University Hospital in the Era of Multiple Oral Agents

Kim, Min Su; Myung, Soon Chul; Kim, Sae Chul

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate perceptions of erectile dysfunction(ED) treatment of patients visiting a university hospital in the era of multiple oral agents.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Using a questionnaire, this study was conducted on 103 new outpatients(average age 45.5 years) with ED who visited a university hospital between January 2004 and March 2005.
RESULTS
The patients with ages in the 50's, 60's and 70's were 33%, 33%, and 6.8%, respectively. Forty percent indicated that they had discussed their ED with their wives. Prior to visiting the general hospital, only 19% of the patents had visited physicians to seek ED treatment, while 29% had taken oriental or folk medicines, and 26% had used exercise to enhance their potency. The remaining 24% had not attempted any management. Among 71 patients who had experience with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors(PDE5I), 30% had obtained them without prescriptions, and 57% were not aware of the fact that proper sexual stimulation is required for effective drug action. The majority of the patients(83%) had felt embarrassment when they had presented their prescriptions to pharmacists. Fifty five percent of wives were not aware! of their husbands took the PDE5I. Among those wives who were aware, 62% felt favorably toward the treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
Aging patients with ED are changing their attitude positively toward seeking treatment. However, their understanding of sexual health and ED treatment is still considerably low, suggesting a need for more active and continuous education. A sense of shame for having ED was still high. Thus, changing men's perception that their sexual problems are not shameful but a medical condition to be solved through discussion with their wives and doctors, is needed to lead to a healthy sexual culture.