OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate whether the duration of erectile dysfunction (ED) influenced treatment seeking and satisfaction with treatment using PDE5 inhibitors. METHODS: Participants were 409 men with ED who were primarily recruited over the internet via men's health web sites. Participants completed a questionnaire to assess the duration and perceived severity of ED, information and help-seeking behaviors for ED, and treatment usage and satisfaction with PDE5 inhibitor medication. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that men with ED of longer duration were more likely to have discussed their ED with their partner and doctor and to have sought information and treatment for their ED problem. No differences were found in reported satisfaction with ED medication usage or expected future medication use across the varying levels of ED duration, once variance attributable to age was accounted for. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that men are more likely to accept that they have ED and seek treatment for their ED with increasing duration of the condition, although these men are not more satisfied with PDE5 inhibitors as a treatment option.
OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate whether the duration of erectile dysfunction (ED) influenced treatment seeking and satisfaction with treatment using PDE5 inhibitors. METHODS:Participants were 409 men with ED who were primarily recruited over the internet via men's health web sites. Participants completed a questionnaire to assess the duration and perceived severity of ED, information and help-seeking behaviors for ED, and treatment usage and satisfaction with PDE5 inhibitor medication. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that men with ED of longer duration were more likely to have discussed their ED with their partner and doctor and to have sought information and treatment for their ED problem. No differences were found in reported satisfaction with ED medication usage or expected future medication use across the varying levels of ED duration, once variance attributable to age was accounted for. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that men are more likely to accept that they have ED and seek treatment for their ED with increasing duration of the condition, although these men are not more satisfied with PDE5 inhibitors as a treatment option.