What Men and Physicians are Saying, or Not Saying, About the Connection Between ED and Other Health Conditions
A 2005 survey asked a representative group of U.S. adult men (1342) over the age of 35 and a group of health care providers (302) about:- Attitudes towards men's health
- Physician-patient communication
- Erectile dysfunction (ED)
- The connection between ED and health conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes
The majority of men and health care providers view ED as a serious and common health condition that not only impacts a man's sexual health but his emotional and physical well-being as well. According to the survey, 65% of men7 and 83%16 of physicians say that ED has a major impact on a man's emotional and physical well-being.
The Connection Between ED and Other Health Conditions Common to Men
A majority of physicians were aware that conditions like hypertension (88%),16 high cholesterol (66%),16 or diabetes (100%)16 place a man at increased risk for experiencing ED.
High Blood Pressure- 88% of physicians said that high blood pressure increased a man's risk of developing ED16
- More than one third of men (38%) said that knowing that high blood pressure is linked to ED would encourage them to discuss ED with their doctor7
- 66% of physicians said that high cholesterol increased a man's risk of developing ED16
- More than one third of men (34%) said that knowing that high cholesterol is linked to ED would encourage them to discuss ED with their doctor7
- All physicians (100%) agreed that diabetes increases a man's risk of developing ED16
- More than one third of men (35%) said that knowing diabetes is linked to ED would encourage them to discuss ED with their doctor7
The Bottom Line
Nearly half of men (44%) said they would be more likely to discuss ED with a physician if they knew about the link to conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.7 Both men (71%)7 and doctors (75%)16 also agreed that better communication to patients about ED is needed.
Take Action to Improve Your Health
To maintain optimal health, it is important to pay attention to the signals your body provides. If you have been experiencing changes in your overall or sexual health, make an appointment with your doctor today. Check here to get a helpful set of free tools to get the conversation started with your doctor.
