Men with serious chronic illnesses and malignancies are less likely to seek treatment for erectile dysfunction.

The aim of this study was to evaluate one possible reason why men do not seek help for erectile dysfunction. For this study, 500 men that visited their family doctors were stratified into one of three groups based on the reasons for their visits and their overall health statuses. A questionnaire was used to ask each participant about his willingness to seek help for erectile dysfunction should it occur during his lifetime. The statistical analysis of their answers showed that the men with serious chronic illnesses and malignancies were less interested in sexual activity, and they were less likely to seek help for erectile dysfunction when compared to otherwise healthy men and men with mild chronic diseases. Better patient education and reassurance could increase the proportion of men with chronic illnesses and malignancies who seek treatment for erectile dysfunction.