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Thursday March 12, 7:33 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Survey Finds Impotence a Top Health Fear Among Men
Men Wish Their Partners Would Get More Involved in Treatment
Women Reluctant to Take Initiative in Delicate Issue
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--March 12, 1998--Few things strike more fear in
the hearts of middle-aged men than the prospect of becoming impotent. According to a new
national survey, ''The VIVUS Impotence Report,'' a majority of male respondents would rather
suffer cataracts, high blood pressure, arthritis or hearing loss than be faced with the inability to have
an erection.
So anxious are men about this disorder, known medically as erectile dysfunction, that nearly half of
middle-aged men recently surveyed would be thankful if their wives or partners took the initiative in
getting medical help. Yet, only about 40 percent of women said that they'd broach the subject with
their husband. This reluctance may be based on misperceptions -- 58 percent of women surveyed
assumed their husband or partner would become upset if they took the initiative to set up an
appointment with a doctor.
''What we're seeing is that this is no longer just a man's problem,'' said Pat Love, Ed.D., a
nationally recognized relationship counselor. ''Men want women to be more involved in the solution,
but women understandably may be hesitant.''
Not surprisingly, it seems that the fears evoked by impotence have left most men and women with
little knowledge about recent medical advances that can correct the problem. While only about
one-third of respondents were even vaguely aware of new alternatives (such as injected or inserted
medications), once informed of these options, respondents were more likely to pick a treatment that
allowed for spontaneity and that could be used in foreplay.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell - A Woman's Perspective
For men over the age of 50 and their partners, impotence is an issue that causes anxiety. Among
women, nearly one-third believed that her partner's decreased sexual function could be caused by
infidelity. Experts say that this misperception, combined with the female partner's concern that she
may no longer be attractive to her partner (20 percent), could be the reason why women are
reluctant to initiate discussion about their partner's impotence. Furthermore, experts believe that the
lack of communication could do as much damage as the physical problem itself.
''Without doubt, women may fear that discussing impotence will open up Pandora's box; however,
it is often just these types of issues in a relationship that require and benefit from open
communication. In the case of impotence, men often need the support and encouragement of their
partner,'' said Dr. Love.
A Complicated Issue for Men
The significance of men's sexual function and their response to the possibility of impotence is
complicated. When asked to rate the importance of the ability to have sex, about 80 percent said it
was ''very'' or ''somewhat'' important to their self-esteem.
Yet, while men place a high value on their ability to have sex, not having the ability does not
immediately send them looking for solutions. Nearly half of the men surveyed said they would wait a
month or longer before seeking treatment. Indeed, fewer than 10 percent of the 20 million men in
the U.S. who suffer from erectile dysfunction actually seek medical intervention.(1)
''This is an issue that strikes at one's self-worth, so people tend to bury their heads in the sand,''
said Dr. Love.
Spontaneous, Local Treatment
While almost half of men were unaware of any type of treatment for impotence, the majority of men
and women expressed a strong preference for methods that would allow them spontaneity in their
lovemaking. They also voiced a preference for ''local'' treatments -- a treatment that works
specifically on the affected area, the penis.
''Couples want a solution that allows them to be spontaneous,'' stated Kenneth Goldberg, M.D.,
medical director of the Male Health Institute at Baylor Health Center in Dallas. ''In my practice, I
find that MUSE, a local treatment, gives many patients and their partners a solution that lets them be
spontaneous in their lovemaking.''
Of those individuals who said they would try treatment, the majority of men said that they would try
an inserted medication over other methods mentioned (implants, vacuum device or self-injected
medication). MUSE(R) (alprostadil) is a therapy where the patient gently slides the medication into
the opening of the penis. For many men, the medication in MUSE, alprostadil, works to increase
blood flow into the penis, causing an erection within five to 10 minutes after insertion, with minimal
side effects. MUSE should not be used if a patient has sickle cell disease or trait or other blood
disorders. In clinical studies, one in three men reported genital pain, causing seven percent to drop
out. Three percent of patients reported symptoms from lowering of blood pressure, such as
dizziness, and in rare cases, fainting. (Please see the full prescribing information for additional
product information.)
''There's a lot of hope for treating impotence these days,'' said Dr. Goldberg. ''Couples should talk
with their doctors and learn more about what's out there. I think they'll be pleasantly surprised to
learn about the safety and efficacy of currently available treatments and will be motivated to explore
these options.''
Demographics Contribute to Increasing Awareness
''As baby boomers march into their middle years and beyond, the problem is likely to increase,''
said Tom Bruckman, executive director of the Baltimore-based American Foundation for Urologic
Disease (AFUD). ''About 50 percent of men between the ages of 40 and 70 have some degree of
erectile dysfunction.'' By the year 2000, the worldwide incidence of impotence is estimated at 47
million.
Some 80 percent of all erectile dysfunction cases have a physiological origin, and about half those
surveyed were aware of that fact. The most common physical causes are hardening of the arteries,
diabetes and other chronic diseases, neurological disorders, pelvic surgery or trauma, medication
side effects, hormonal imbalance, smoking, alcoholism and drug abuse. The remaining 20 percent of
cases may have psychological roots such as anxiety, depression, stress or marital discord.
The survey respondents comprised 198 men over age 50 and 200 women involved with a male
partner over age 50, selected at random within the continental United States. The survey was
conducted in January 1998 by ICR, a market and opinion research company, and was sponsored
by VIVUS, Inc.(2)
Founded in 1991, VIVUS, Inc. is a leader in the development of therapeutic systems for the
treatment of erectile dysfunction. VIVUS has pioneered a novel therapy, known as the transurethral
system for erection, for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. This therapy, MUSE, consists of a
proprietary, non-invasive drug delivery system that delivers pharmacologic agents via the urethra. In
the year following marketing clearance for MUSE in the United States, MUSE has become the
therapy for erectile dysfunction most prescribed by urologists in the United States.
For patient information on impotence, call 1-800-835-9021, an information hotline sponsored by
AFUD and supported by an educational grant from VIVUS.
For full prescribing information, see enclosed package insert or call 1-888-345-MUSE.
(1) It Takes Two: A Couple's Guide to Erectile Dysfunction,'' p. 2. (Brochure -- Sexual
Function Health Council, AFUD)
(2) Data on file (ICR).
Contact:
VIVUS, Inc.
Nina Ferrari, 650/934-5271 (IR)
or
Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
Anne King, 212/880-5361
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