More than half of Chinese men older than 40 experience some degree
of erectile dysfunction, according to a 6-month survey, and most
are embarrassed to visit make an appointment with their doctors.
However, ignoring the symptoms and delaying therapy makes the problem
more difficult to treat.
In the country's first authoritative and systematic survey of men's
sexual health, researchers surveyed 1,000 people in major Chinese
cities.
They found that 52.5 percent of 40-plus-year-old men live with
some form of erectile dysfunction (ED). Nine out of 10 of those
men reported their sex lives were heavily impacted by it. Researchers
added that 90 percent of men did not seek help because they felt
shy and humiliated or were worried about confidentiality.
Results indicate that, nationwide, the average man sought medical
attention 22 months after the first sign of a problem -- compared
to Western countries, where men wait an average of only six months.
In metropolitan areas, men held off even longer before opting for
treatment. In Beijing, the average delay is 34.3 months, or nearly
three years. Shanghai men tend to wait about 30 months before making
an appointment.
Scientists are concerned because early stages of ED are the easiest
to treat. Waiting just causes more serious problems.
A second survey in Asia found that men who spend most of the day
sitting down at work and those with high-stress positions are less
likely to perform well at home.
Like the Chinese study, researchers found that few men were willing
to admit early on that they had a problem. However, professionals,
like accountants and bankers, were the first to consult a doctor
about impotency issues. Men who drive cabs and buses, as well as
those in financial occupations, are also considered high risk. Men
with jobs that combine stress and little or no activity have the
odds doubly stacked against them. According to the report, blue-collar
workers often are both more active and less likely to report a problem.
Researchers from the first survey identified another issue involving
whether men sought treatment. Some believed impotence could not
be cured, but experts assured patients that they could enjoy healthy
sex lives after appropriate treatment.
Experts defined ED, erectile dysfunction, as "the persistent
or recurrent inability to achieve or maintain penile erection sufficient
to complete satisfactory intercourse or any other chosen sexual
activity." It does not mean a man is infertile, can't ejaculate
or can't orgasm. One expert said it's a common myth that men with
ED lack virility -- this is simply not true.
In fact experts said some of men's fears of admitting to ED stem
from the past, in a time when it was never discussed or even mentioned.
ED was once believed to be purely a psychological problem, but research
has proven most cases occur due to vascular disorders, which causes
reduced circulation to the penis. Physical ED has a gradual onset,
with penis hardness decreasing over time. Psychological ED has a
sudden onset and erections can be achieved under some circumstances.
In China, experts said 80 percent of ED cases are classified as
physical, while the remaining 20 percent stem from psychological
problems, such as stress, anxiety or depression.
Yahoo
News August 31, 2004
Mentalhelp.net
August 29, 2004
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