Duration of erectile dysfunction and its relationship to treatment seeking and satisfaction with treatment using PDE5 inhibitors

Abstract

Objectives: This cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate whether the duration of erectile dysfunction (ED) influenced treatment seeking and satisfaction with treatment using PDE5 inhibitors. Methods: Participants were 409 men with ED who were primarily recruited over the internet via men's health web sites. Participants completed a questionnaire to assess the duration and perceived severity of ED, information and help-seeking behaviors for ED, and treatment usage and satisfaction with PDE5 inhibitor medication. Results:The results demonstrated that men with ED of longer duration were more likely to have discussed their ED with their partner and doctor and to have sought information and treatment for their ED problem. No differences were found in reported satisfaction with ED medication usage or expected future medication use across the varying levels of ED duration, once variance attributable to age was accounted for. Conclusions: These results suggest that men are more likely to accept that they have ED and seek treatment for their ED with increasing duration of the condition, although these men are not more satisfied with PDE5 inhibitors as a treatment option.

Lack of awareness of erectile dysfunction in many men with risk factors for erectile dysfunction

“…In keeping with this, men who have intermittent erection problems are less likely to seek treatment[20]. The duration and severity of erectile dysfunction was also determined to be a factor in whether men sought treatment,[11,20,21] suggesting that erectile dysfunction symptoms may not be immediately recognized. When considered together, these factors suggest that for men who answered "no" or "unsure" in the current study and were identified as having erectile dysfunction by IIEF-EF score, the onset of erectile dysfunction symptoms may have been poorly understood, not recognized as erectile dysfunction, or may have been denied.…”

Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE5) Inhibitors in Erectile Dysfunction: The Proper Drug for the Proper Patient

“…Clinical studies suggest that men often wait years before they seek treatment for their ED [99]. Men with a longer duration of ED are more likely to perceive that their ED is more severe and is likely to be permanent, have a lower current frequency of sexual activity, are more willing to seek help for their problem, and try various forms of treatment [99]. Sildenafil has been proven to be effective across all efficacy measures, regardless of ED duration [92].…”

Reasons and predictive factors for discontinuation of PDE-5 inhibitors despite successful intercourse in erectile dysfunction patients

“…23 Men are more likely to accept that they have ED and seek treatment for their ED with increasing duration of the condition. 24 The patients with psychogenic ED and shorter duration of ED symptoms in this study showed significantly higher rates of discontinuation. Psychogenic ED and shorter duration of ED, which is possibly less severe ED and less likely to have pressure for seeking treatment may require less frequency of drug treatment than organic and severe ED do, which makes us guess a higher possibility of the drug discontinuation in the psychogenic and shorter duration of ED.…”