In the Press

Study shows problems of erectile dysfunction

By Zhou Weirong (China Daily)

Over the past decade several large multinational epidemiological surveys have reported a high incidence and prevalence of erectile dysfunction in men aged 40-70. In this report from mainland China, strong similarity to the reports from the western contries is demonstrated.

As many as 50 per cent of Chinese men aged between 40 and 70 are suffering from erectile dysfunction, was seen in this study of 2,000 men aged between 20 and 75 in major cities such as Guangzhou and Beijing.

Also consistent with previous reports from other countries, only 10 per cent of ED suffers on the Chinese mainland take medical treatment, according to research sponsored by German pharmaceutical giant Bayer released in Guangzhou.

Barriers to treatment in the Chinese population is again similar to the findings of other international surveys with Chinese men extremely reluctant to talk about their sexual problems, although the majority of them think it is very important to satisfy the needs of their partners.

Thirty-seven per cent of the respondents said they were too shy to talk about it to doctors; 16 per cent don't know which doctor to talk to; 12 per cent don't believe in treatment, while 30 per cent simply choose to wait for ED to disappear.

Chinese medicine is widely used for other problems, however when it comes to ED most Chinese choose Western medicines. Among those who seek treatment, only 25 per cent use traditional Chinese medical methods to treat ED, compared with 60 per cent who choose Western medicine. The remaining 15 per cent use other treatments such as spiritual or alternative remedies.

Given these most recent findings, it appears that the educational programs in place in western countries may be worthwhile in China as well.

Gerry Brock MD, FRCSC