Men who can't get it up go off half-cocked in search of cure
Men who can't get it up go off half-cocked in search of cure
P.C. Naommy, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Between 10 percent and 15 percent of Indonesian men suffer from
erectile dysfunction, most of whom prefer to use unproven
treatments rather than talk the problem over with their partners
or doctors, an expert said.
Sexologist Wimpie Pangkahila said during a discussion here
over the weekend that Indonesian men with erectile dysfunction
considered the subject taboo, and thus kept their problem hidden.
"They experiment by buying unreliable products without
bothering to consult with or even ask for a doctor's
prescription," said Wimpie.
Erectile dysfunction refers to the inability to achieve
erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or the ability to
achieve only brief erections.
Up to 70 percent of cases of erectile dysfunction are caused
by the excessive intake of drugs, alcohol or cigarettes, kidney
problems or atherosclerosis, while between 10 percent to 20
percent of cases are triggered by psychological factors such as
stress, anxiety or depression.
Most men experience the disorder at some point in their lives,
usually by the age of 40, and are not psychologically affected by
it.
Wimpie urged the public not to turn to unreliable products
that have not been clinically tested to treat the disorder.
"Please bear in mind that erectile dysfunction is simply a
disorder and no man should be ashamed or apprehensive about
consulting a doctor to get reliable help," said Ganesan Adaikan,
president-elect of the Singapore-based International Society for
Sexual and Impotence Research.
The incidence of erectile dysfunction increases with age.
According to research done by the National Ambulatory Medical
Care Survey, chronic erectile dysfunction or impotence affects
about 5 percent of men in their 40s and up to 25 percent of men
by the age of 65. Brief erections or inadequate erections affect
as many as 50 percent of men between the ages of 40 and 70.
There are now many ways for men to overcome the disorder, such
as through oral medication or sex therapy. Men need to consult a
doctor to find out which oral medication is best suited to treat
their specific disorder.
Most oral medications have common side effects such as
headaches, reddening of the face and neck, indigestion and nasal
congestion.