Male Sexual Dysfunction
Why Should Doctors Identify Their Patient's Sexual Concerns?
Sexual problems are common. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction is 43% for women and 31% for men in a large American sample.1 Erectile dysfunction increases as men age, with 52% of men age 40 - 70 having some degree of impotence.2
Sexual concerns are often associated with other medical illness, or their treatment (such as hypertension, diabetes, and vascular disease (see table 3). A multidisciplinary study found that pathophysiological factors were present for at least 33% of men and 10% of women presenting for sexual counseling.3
Identifying sexual concerns changes medical treatment. In a general medicine outpatient clinic, a controlled trial compared to usual care, asking patients "Do you have any sexual concerns?" uncovered new, important medical information for 26% of patients, resulting in changes in medical treatment 16% of the time.4
Patients want their doctor to treat their sexual problems. Patients see physicians as the most appropriate health professionals to aid them in managing sexual dysfunctions.5
Last Modified: September 5, 2006
