MONDAY, June 3, 2002 (HealthDayNews) -- Here's the good news: There appears to be very little difference among male ethnic and racial groups when it comes to erectile dysfunction (ED).
However, here's the bad news: According to the first national survey taken, more than 20 percent of men over age 40 experience some form of ED at least occasionally.
Researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill conducted the survey for Pfizer Inc., the pharmaceutical company that makes Viagra, the most popular drug that fights ED.
They found that ED
was the most common among black men, with 24 percent reported to
be only "sometimes" or "never" able to get and keep a satisfactory
erection; this compared to 22 percent of white and 20 percent of Hispanic men, respectively.
The study included 676 Hispanic, 901 white and 596 black men. It also found that ED is associated with such conditions as cardiovascular disease -- including high blood pressure and ischemic heart disease -- and diabetes.
Lead consultant for the study was Dr. Culley Carson of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The findings were presented at the recent annual meeting of the American Urological Association.
More information
The American Foundation for Urologic Disease has an interesting section on its Internet site that explores ways for couples to confront ED as a team.
