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.

Perceptions of Erectile Dysfunction and Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitor Therapy in a Qualitative Study of Men and Women in Affected Relationships

“…Concerns about self-esteem and the desire to improve sexual activity were identified previously (Ansong et al, 1998;Berner et al, 2007;Fisher et al, 2004) and are consistent with some aspects of the domains regarding emotional responses to ED and the value of sex identified in our study. The core belief that ED is a temporary disorder that will resolve spontaneously or is a part of normal aging have been previously reported by Shabsigh and colleagues (2004) and Fisher and colleagues (2004), and are consistent with some of the cognitive dimensions identified here.…”

“…Furthermore, more than half of men who initiate PDE-5i therapy discontinue use of the treatment within 1 year (Al-Shaiji & Brock, 2009;Seftel, 2002). The psychosocial factors affecting the decision of whether to seek treatment and use of PDE-5is have been investigated in a small number of studies (Ansong, Lewis, Jenkins, & Bell, 1998;Berner, Ploger, & Burkart, 2007;Matic & McCabe, 2008;Shabsigh et al, 2004). The findings suggest that, in addition to the desire to have sex, the duration of the condition, partner insistence, awareness of treatment options, affordability, embarrassment about the condition, lower self-esteem, and feelings of loss of control are related to seeking treatment.…”

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

“…Men may try to make sense of the cause of their erectile dysfunction, which may include guilt or the pressures of business or work, or they may want to confirm that an existing medical problem is the cause rather than their feelings for their partner or their sexuality. Men frequently cited psychological stress, organic disease, and aging as causes for erectile dysfunction in a study of men's sexual beliefs and attitudes[19]. Men's emotional reactions to erectile dysfunction include denial, embarrassment, depression, and acceptance[10].…”

“…This suggests that these men may not have been interested in or were reluctant to seek resolution or treatment for their erectile dysfunction. Some treatment-seeking barriers that may explain why men with recognized erectile dysfunction do not seek treatment for it include the belief that erectile dysfunction is a natural part of aging,[19,20] concern about the side effects of or not wanting to take drugs,[19,20] the belief that nothing can be done about erectile dysfunction,[20] fear that the underlying condition causing erectile dysfunction may be serious,[20] and the cost of treatment[19,20]. One study found that men would prefer to purchase erectile dysfunction medications anonymously or wanted the medication to be available without a prescription,[19] suggesting that men may feel embarrassed about purchasing erectile dysfunction medications.…”

Prevalence, correlates, attitude and treatment seeking of erectile dysfunction among type 2 diabetic Chinese men attending primary care outpatient clinics

“…The second part of the questionnaire asked for information about the subjects’ age and marital status. Questions assessing treatment seeking behavior, and attitudes and concerns pertaining to ED were formulated based on the results of a qualitative structural interview of 1122 men with ED 34. The questions were first drafted in English, translated into Chinese by authors WHL and SNF, and then back-translated into English by another team doctor PS Lau.…”