A typology of men's sexual attitudes, erectile dysfunction treatment expectations and barriers
Abstract
In total, 1122 men completed non-validated structured interviews on sexual attitudes and on erectile dysfunction treatment expectations and barriers. Dimensions of sexual attitudes and treatment expectations and barriers were extracted by factor analysis and subjects were grouped into types by cluster analysis. Five types emerged: the sensation seeker, the sensuous, the anxious, the confident and the abstinent. The majority of men agreed on the importance of sex for the partnership. For the majority of anxious, sensuous and sensation-seeking men, sex was important for self-esteem. Expecting quality of life, enjoyment, self-esteem and hard reliable erections from treatment with phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, anxieties for side effects and loss of control, sexual abstinence and desire for an intensive sex life had the strongest impact on the likelihood of use. Men's sexual attitudes vary considerably and impact reactions to erection difficulties. A typology of five groups was developed, which will contribute to research on and understanding of men's sexual and treatment-seeking behaviors.
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Barriers to seeking treatment for ED include embarrassment, communication problems between partners, low self-confidence, self and partner blaming, feeling older, inaccurate information, and limited understanding of ED.
“Research has identified several barriers to seeking treatment for ED. In addition to feeling embarrassed, communication problems between partners, low self-confidence, self and partner blaming, and feeling older, also inaccurate information and limited understanding of ED may prevent men and their partners from seeking help.59,96,97”
From A Psychosocial Approach to Erectile Dysfunction: Position Statements from the European Society of Sexual Medicine (ESSM) (2021) · cites this paper as [96]
Possible reasons for treatment drop-out include treatment costs and side-effects, recovery of natural erectile capability, lack of interest in sexual activity, lack of spontaneity and artificial intimacy associated with sexual aids, embarrassment, new demands inducing performance anxiety, unrealistic expectations, and relational issues such as communication problems, lack of confidence, and lackof
“Although more work is needed to identify the exact reasons for treatment drop-out, there is a possible role of treatment costs and side-effects, recovery of natural erectile capability, lack of interest in sexual activity, lack of spontaneity and artificial intimacy associated with the use of sexual aids, embarrassment, new demands that induce performance anxiety, unrealistic expectations, and”
From A Psychosocial Approach to Erectile Dysfunction: Position Statements from the European Society of Sexual Medicine (ESSM) (2021) · cites this paper as [96]
Indicators for seeking treatment for ED include desire to have sex, duration of the condition, partner insistence, awareness of treatment options, and affordability of treatment.
“Indicators for seeking treatment, on the other hand, are desire to have sex, duration of the condition, partner insistence, awareness of treatment options, and affordability of treatment.96,97”
From A Psychosocial Approach to Erectile Dysfunction: Position Statements from the European Society of Sexual Medicine (ESSM) (2021) · cites this paper as [96]
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BackgroundInfluentialLack of awareness of erectile dysfunction in many men with risk factors for erectile dysfunction
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- Authors
- Berner, M. M., Plöger, W., & Burkart, M.
- Affiliations
- University Medical Center Freiburg (DE)
- Pfizer (Germany) (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Berner, M M
- Venue
- International Journal of Impotence Research
- Published
- 2007-08-23
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 568-576
- ISSN
- 0955-9930 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-5489
- OpenAlex
- W2022981223
- Cited by
- 15
- References
- 38
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 4
- FWCI
- 0.60
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Impotence Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Eli Lilly and Company
- Pfizer
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Urology › Urological Disorders and Treatments
- Keywords
- erectile dysfunction, treatment expectations, barriers to treatment, typology, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, sexual self-esteem, sexual abstinence, sexual desire, treatment-seeking behavior
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Attitude, Humans, Erectile Dysfunction, Interviews as Topic, Male, Middle Aged, Sexual Behavior, Cluster Analysis
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