let’s talk about erectile dysfunction… because according to a new survey, nobody else is
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erectile dysfunction isn't anything to be ashamed of, yet many men are afraid to seek treatment.
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almost 50 per cent of canadian men between the ages of 40 and 88 have erectile dysfunction (ed). even with that many people affected, no one’s talking about it at their poker games or while they’re out with their friends, as evidenced by the results of a new survey conducted by leading virtual men’s health clinic, phoenix.
according to the poll, only 45 per cent of canadians believe the prevalence could be as high as 40 per cent, with 27 per cent believing that no more than 30 per cent of the population has dealt with ed in their lifetimes.
“it’s no surprise that people aren’t aware of the prevalence of ed. it just doesn’t get talked about enough,” said gavin thompson, co-founder and co-ceo of phoenix, in a press release.
the lack of understanding and awareness likely stems from the significant stigma surrounding ed—a stigma that keeps people tight-lipped about their experience or, even worse, afraid to seek care for fear of shame or embarrassment.
“ed is a medical condition that men of all ages can experience. there shouldn’t be anything awkward about it, but there is. we’re trying to change that,” said co-founder and co-ceo of phoenix, kevin bache, in a press release.
sparking awareness to end stigma surrounding erectile dysfunction
ed is highly misunderstood. many men often have no idea what is driving their ed, partly because they don’t feel comfortable talking about it and partly because there is a lack of awareness. but ed has many causes, such as:
- low testosterone levels
- blood flow complications
- medications and medical conditions
- lifestyle factors, including diet, smoking, and drug use
- obesity
- psychological or emotional distress or complications
the data from phoenix sparks an important conversation around ed—men are afraid to speak on it, and because of that, many are going without adequate treatment that could really change their lives.
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for many men, they believe any issues tied to what they perceive as their manhood will leave them open to judgment from partners and others or fears of being less masculine or weak. this can lead to depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. men are often also taught to suppress health issues, especially regarding sexuality, leading to a two-fold treatment avoidance.
many men also believe that ed only affects people of an older age, but anyone at any age can be affected. while older men are more likely to be affected, younger men develop ed, too, and the survey found that people are not aware of that fact.
for example, 64 per cent of canadians are unaware that ed affects men 35 and under, with 71 per cent believing that anyone between the ages of 18 and 25 could not possibly develop ed.
it’s challenging for older adult males to seek care because of stigma and perceived notions of masculinity. but when the idea that younger men simply don’t develop ed, for someone who’s younger and deals with it, that can be a scary and harmful misconception to hold.
erectile dysfunction can be treated easily, but no one knows that
being treated for ed requires a person to visit their doctor and discuss their experience. stigma holds them back from that, sure, but so does not knowing that there’s a pretty simple fix: medication.
according to phoenix’s survey, 18 per cent of men are unaware that ed can be treated with medication, with 38 per cent being unaware that ed medications, including viagra, require a prescription.
the younger a person is, the less they know about ed medication as well. for gen z, close to 60 per cent don’t think that ed medication requires a prescription. with this in mind, many men may reach for over-the-counter enhancement products that end up doing far more harm than good.
that’s why knowing what’s available, as well as how to get it, is just as important as being free from the stigma that hinders the ability to seek treatment in the first place.
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“with more openness and awareness, more people can seek support immediately,” said thompson.
it’s important to note that the cause of ed will determine treatment, and each person is different. still, if a man doesn’t feel comfortable enough to ask, the answer will always be no—or in the case of ed, the condition will remain along with the harmful mental and emotional side effects that come with it.
“while it may feel uncomfortable, men need to understand what the condition entails, and not shy away from being proactive in discussing it with a doctor,” said bache. “the sooner you get started, the better your chances are at finding mental and physical relief.”
creating a safe space for men’s healthcare
the survey conducted by phoenix is meant to highlight the stigma and misconceptions surrounding ed so that people can understand more about how many men are affected, as well as how it’s treated.
however, they also aim to foster an open environment where people can discuss the condition openly enough to make seeking care seem commonplace.
it isn’t just about telling people the problem. phoenix has set out to fix it.
“our mission is simple: make expert care easy to access, fast, discreet, and doctor-led,” said thompson. “we’re building a future where men take charge of their health with confidence.”
together, thompson and bache hope to provide men with a new and viable way to take control of their health so that they can deal with issues such as ed promptly.
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