Impotency threat for 50% of men in Mideast

Alarming data highlighted by world-renowned sex therapist, educator and author, Dr Rosie King, indicates that 50 per cent of men in the UAE suffer from erectile dysfunction.

Dr King, who was in Abu Dhabi last week to attend a symposium to shed light on the link between diabetes and erectile dysfunction, said this percentage risk increases with age for each individual.

“As a man gets older, at age 50, his risk is at 50 per cent; at 60 years its 60 per cent; and at 70 years its 70 per cent,” Dr King told Emirates 24|7 in a phone chat. “Reading these statistics, I’m sure no man would want to live to 100 years.”

Dr King, who is the author of bestsellers, “Where did my libido go? Practical advice for women with low desire” and “Good Loving Great Sex – finding balance when your sex drive differ”, reveals the figures were first unearthed during a Massachusetts study in 1994, which indicated 50 per cent of men between the ages of 40 and 70 years suffered from some form of erectile dysfunction.

Over the decade and a half, the study was expanded to different regions and it was determined that not only in the UAE, but all Middle Eastern men suffered the same fate if they did not follow a healthy lifestyle.

Downward spiral

Dr King says erectile dysfunction should not be looked upon as a disease, but rather a symptom that could lead up to more severe health issues such as cardiovascular and coronary heart conditions.

“Almost two-thirds of men who suffer from heart attacks have suffered from erectile dysfunction at some point in their lives,” says Dr King.

Similarly, impotency can be directly linked to other diseases such as high blood pressure, kidney disease, multiple sclerosis, chronic alcoholism and excessive smoking, to name but few.

“Diabetes is a big concern here, considering 78 per cent of men in the Middle East suffer from the disease, which can be directly linked to erectile dysfunction,” she highlighted. She added: “Today’s, unhealthy and stressful existence is the root cause, especially when the male reaches for a cigarette or a drink in excess.”

Also, the doctor highlights that 54 per cent on men suffering from erectile dysfunction can be diagnosed as clinically depressed.

A diagnosis of erectile dysfunction can be run through lab tests and physical examination, but Dr King says the first indicator is when the inability to maintain an erection persists for more than three months.

But due to the sensitive nation of the subject, many men do not seek medical attention and the condition can go undetected for a long time. Dr King says this is particularly true in the Middle East, where discussing sexual health is a taboo subject.

Divorce on the rise

In last week’s in-depth report by Emirates 24|7 news on Dubai One, the divorce rate in the UAE had increased 20 per cent in 2009, in comparison to the previous year.

There were 727 cases that made their way to the family court last year, with the ratio almost equal between Emiratis and foreigners.

Dr King says the social impact of impotency is profound on couples and the health of their relationship, raising questions on fertility, masculinity and vigour.

“For a woman, seeing a physical response in her husband indicates to her that yes, her partner is turned on by her, which has a deep psychological impact on her and their relationship,” she explains. “A lack of this response could lead her to believe that he doesn’t care, could be having an affair or numerous other conclusions can be derived.

“The long-term implications could see the wife withdraw from her husband, communication between the two could break down and she could even slip into depression, as a worse case scenario.”

Dr King also says that erectile dysfunction can also cause health problems in women, with studies indicating that they can suffer from low desire and won’t be able to derive pleasure from coupling as they once did.

Getting back up

Since 1998, the little blue pill called Viagra has helped many a man in regaining his lost virility, and Dr King says that it is effective in 70 to 80 per cent of men. If the pill doesn’t work, then other treatment options are at hand.
“An inter penile injection therapy can help, along with treatments such as a vacuum pump and a surgical penile implant as the most extreme scenario,” she says.

And while there are many a witch doctor who prescribes natural ‘magical’ remedies such as swallowing pills made of crushed rhinoceros horn or tiger claws, ask Dr King and she simply laughs saying it’s all about mind over matter.

“You give a group of men an aspirin and tell them it would cure their impotency, and 30 per cent of them will be able to perform again because they believe the miracle cure works,” she says. “It all boils down to what really works for you.”

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.