Erection problems are on the rise amongst men. Despite rising numbers of men suffering from erection problems, only a quarter of men with the condition receive treatment for it, according to a study recently published in the The Journal of Sexual Medicine.
The study, conducted by Dr. Kevin T. McVary and a team of researchers from the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield, utilized a commercial insurance database to identify 6.2 million men diagnosed with erection problems during a 12-month period ending June 2011.
The researchers classified men that had been issued a prescription for their erection problems as “treated,” while men who received a diagnosis for erection problems but did not fill a prescription as “untreated.”
Researchers found that only 24.5% of the subjects were treated.
Researchers found that erection health pills such as Viagra and Cialis were the most commonly prescribed treatments (75.2%), while more extreme measures such as androgen replacement therapy (ART) was not prescribed and fulfilled as often (30.6%).
The researchers also found that men older than 60 years were significantly less likely to be treated than men aged 50–59 years.
To the investigators’ knowledge, this study is the first to report the frequency of associated erection problems medical therapies in a relatively large patient population.
The researchers stressed that erection problems are a serious issue, and men who do not seek help are only ultimately hurting themselves. The researchers further stressed that men suffering from erection problems should see a doctor and investigate methods of treatment.
Evan Hopkins is a 24 year old writer operating out of Atlanta, GA. When he isn’t writing, he enjoys reading books, drinking coffee, and folk music.