Study
shows problems of erectile dysfunction
August 08, 2006
As many as 50 per cent of Chinese men aged
between 40 and 70 are suffering from erectile
dysfunction (ED), according to research
released this week.
Furthermore, about 10 per cent of the national
adult male population suffer some degree of
ED.
However, 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, capital of
Guangdong Province, on Tuesday.
The study was based on a survey of at least
2,000 men aged between 20 and 75 in major cities
such as Guangzhou and Beijing.
Compared with many foreign men, Chinese men
remain 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.
Going to see a doctor is torturous for Chinese
ED sufferers, according to the survey.
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.
The results reflect a growing concern in the
country that many men are unhappy due to their
unsatisfactory sexual
performance.
When men have ED problems, their life quality
is greatly lowered, said Professor Zhu Jichuan
from Peking University, adding ED causes severe
negative effects on the overall health of men.
"ED sufferers are more likely to get dissatisfied
with their health condition, inter-personal
relations, and their work," Zhu said.
Zhu, who is also a chief member of Chinese
Medical Association Andrology Branch, said women
could do more to help their partners, as the
survey found that 67 per cent of men would choose
to discuss the problem with their female partners
if they had to.
Andrology is a branch of medicine concerned
with diseases specific to men, particularly
infertility and sexual dysfunction.
Despite wide use of Chinese medicine for other
problems, when it comes to ED most Chinese choose
to use 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.
"Chinese medicines are actually cheaper
with less side effects," Zhu said.
Men should also learn to adopt a healthy lifestyle
to avoid ED problems, he said.
Source: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2006-08/10/content_661175.htm |
