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.