Severity of ED: relationship to treatment-seeking and satisfaction with treatment using PDE5 inhibitors.

Research in the past 20 years has demonstrated that erectile dysfunction (ED) is an area of concern for men and their partners. The current study was designed to evaluate the impact of the perceived severity of ED on treatment-seeking behavior and satisfaction with treatment among men with ED. Participants completed a questionnaire to assess the above variables, as well as the duration of ED. Participants were 410 men with ED who were primarily recruited over the Internet via men's health websites. The results demonstrated that men with more severe ED compared with men with milder ED were more likely to have discussed their ED with their partner and doctor, have sought assistance for their ED problem, but they were also less satisfied with the effectiveness of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, and said they were less likely to use them in the future. Men with more severe ED were also less likely to want ED medication to last for 24 hours. Implications of these findings for the treatment of men with different levels of ED are discussed.