If you answered yes to all the foregoing questions, you fit the profile of a Vitalsexual man. You are not a rarity. The International Survey on Male Sexuality reports that 42 percent of men over Asia are Vitalsexuals. Of these, 71 percent reported that they were often or sometimes unable to satisfy their partners, and 94 percent have wished for a better sex life in the past five years. For 49 percent of Asian Vitalsexuals, a major factor that affects their sex life is the fear of not meeting their partner’s expectations. Given the chance to change something about their sex life, they would give more pleasure to their partners, communicate more with their partners, and be more spontaneous.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the consistent or recurrent inability of a man to attain or maintain a penile erection sufficient for sexual performance. It is a common health condition among men over the age of 40 years, and an estimated 152 million men worldwide experience erection difficulties.
For the Vitalsexual man who believes that sex is important, ED causes negative effects on quality of life. Research results show a link between depression and ED. The condition may result in loss of self-esteem, poor self-image, and disruption of interpersonal relationships. Asian men with ED exhibit greater dissatisfaction with their quality of life compared to those not afflicted with ED.
Fortunately, help is available. However, the first step towards solving the problem of ED is being able to talk about the condition. To encourage and improve communication between men with ED, their partners and their doctors, Bayer Healthcare, manufacturer of the ED drug Levitra has launched the "Strike Up a Conversation" campaign. This is a public education initiative designed to help every couple affected by ED to communicate openly about their sexual concerns, in order to find a treatment that improves a man’s erectile function and the couple’s quality of life.
At "A Couple’s Solution," a press seminar held in Shanghai, China, a panel of sexual therapists and physicians stressed that erectile dysfunction is not the man’s problem alone. Rather, it is a difficulty that affects the couple. Although many men experience difficulty in achieving erections at some time in their lives, studies reveal that it takes an average of four years for a man to seek help for ED.
Why do the partners of men with ED hesitate to talk about the condition? The most common reasons given are the following: "I don’t want him to feel worse than he probably does;" "It is too embarrassing to talk about it," "He needs to see the doctor first," "He does not have ED all the time," "I don’t know how to begin."
What is the cause of ED? In an estimated 70 percent of diagnosed cases, ED is caused by vascular or neurological causes. Various underlying causes of ED are heart problems, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol levels. In addition, ED may be caused by other medical conditions such as spinal injury, neurological disorders, and psychological conditions such as anxiety, guilt, and depression.
As an early symptom of disease, ED is a true medical problem, so contends Siegfried Meryn, professor of medicine and medical director of the Center for Advanced Medical Education and Health Communication at the Medical University of Vienna. However, studies indicate that it takes an average of four years for a man to seek treatment for ED. In addition, a very low percentage of men suffering from this condition are being treated despite numerous treatments available. This suggests the need for increased awareness of therapies available and the importance of better dialogue about the treatment options available. Thus, Bayer’s Strike up a Conversation campaign is significant.
Designed to improve communication between men with ED, their partners and their doctors, Strike Up a Conversation identifies key barriers to communication and provides ED sufferers, partners, and doctors with the knowledge, skills, and tools to overcome them. Besides research studies, major components of the campaign are the materials and leaflets created to increase knowledge about ED.
To further promote awareness on ED, internationally known model, actress, and icon Jerry Hall was invited to be Bayer Healthcare’s new global ambassador for erectile dysfunction. Hall supports Strike Up A Conversation and highlights the importance of the female partner when couples are experiencing sexual problems.
Dr. Christa Kreuzburg, senior vice president primary care/ international operations, Bayer Healthcare AG, comments, "Our partnership with Jerry Hall on the Strike Up A Conversation campaign fulfills our commitment to supporting men and their partners who experience erectile dysfunction as a couple. Working with a globally recognized figure enables many people to connect with her confident and bold character. We believe that Jerry Hall’s open approach to sex and relationships will encourage people to overcome their embarrassment and start talking. Previously ED has been stigmatized, but we hope Jerry Hall and this campaign will help to reduce the stigma attached to the condition and encourage couples to seek information and advice about erectile dysfunction."
How should women start a conversation about ED with their partners? Dr. Showline Chang, Taiwanese psychologist and author of seven self-help psychology books, offers these tips to women: Don’t panic. Don’t complain about the problem. Don’t ignore the problem. Instead, do use body language. Do use the "we" attitude. Do seek solutions and treatment for ED.
As global ambassador for Bayer Healthcare’s Strike Up a Conversation, Jerry Hall highlights the importance of the female partner when couples are experiencing sexual problems. She says, "Erectile dysfunction isn’t just a man’s problem. It affects his partner too. Women can play an important role in initiating a conversation about ED and I want to encourage men and women to openly discuss the condition and take positive steps to seek treatment by visiting their doctor. Though the topic can be difficult to address, confronting ED together will lead to a stronger, healthier, and more fulfilling relationship."