The first "Asia-Pacific forum on male health" was held in Shanghai recently. As a common disease for male over 40, ED has affected 10 percent male adults in China. Aside from affecting their life quality and feeling of happiness, ED also poses various threats to their health. Yet, many ED patients are unwilling to seek treatment, because they believe ED is the "hard to speak" disease.
Half of men over 40 haunted by ED
According to Wang Chuanhang, an expert with Beijing-based China-Japan Friendship Hospital, ED (Erectile Dysfunction), also called impotence, is the inability to achieve penile erection or to maintain an erection until ejaculation. It is a common health problem among men over 40. Statistics show more than half of men over 40 suffer from ED of different degrees and there are 152 million ED patients worldwide.
ED triggers other diseases
The ED symptoms often reflect the patient's hidden diseases. 70 percent of ED cases are caused by disease like diabetes, high blood pressure, and spinal injury. Psychological factors like anxiety and depression may cause ED too.
As a matter of fact, frictions are more likely to happen between ED patients and their spouses or partners. Feeling hurt and ashamed sometimes, they refuse to communicate with partners, and even become isolated. Apart from the emotional influences, they are prone to develop other diseases.
According to HuiMengTan, associate professor of University of Malaysia, of all the ED patients in Asia, 14 percent have depression; 23 percent have high blood pressure; 24 percent suffer from high cholesterin; 35 percent haunted by diabetes and 37 percent by heart disease.
Only 6 percent Chinese ED sufferers seek medical advise voluntarily
Experts estimate only 15 percent to 20 percent of ED patients are receiving treatment despite the high incidence rate. A survey just finished in Asia shows the self-report rate of ED averages 6 percent in China, much lower than 16 percent in Europe. Support from spouse or partner is the most crucial precondition for the patients to go to doctors. In the survey the support rate is as high as 67 percent. This shows majority of patients refuse to go to doctors for fear of losing "face", but in fact this will undermine their relations with spouse.
Domestic market dominated by three drugs
At present, drugs, injections, vacuum apparatus, and psychologic therapy are major methods to treat ED.
Three imported drugs for ED patients are available at domestic market. They are Bayer's Levitra, Eli Lilly and Company' Tadalafil Tablet and Pfizer's Viagra.
But Wang reminds patients who have ED symptoms they'd better go to medical intuitions for treatment. Do not conceal their disease for fear of losing face and do not blindly believe in advertisements. They'd better follow doctor's instructions as to what drug to choose.
ED patients can dial toll-free hotline 8008105187(for fixed-line users) or 4008105187(for mobile phone users) for consultation.
By People's Daily Online