Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation are the most frequently self-reported sexual concerns: profiles of 9,536 men calling a helpline.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the range of sexual problems, as reported by men calling a help-line and to investigate factors associated with help seeking behaviour.


METHODS
The study included all calls between 1999 and 2004. The information used for analysis comprised caller's demographic characteristics, the sexual problem reported, previous doctor contacts, coexisting physical and mental health problems.


RESULTS
Erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation (PE) were the most frequently reported problems (57 and 19.2% respectively). ED-reporting callers were older (OR 0.63 for the ages of 50-59 yrs), with co-morbidities (OR 1.75) and in stable relationship (OR 0.46), while PE-reporting callers were younger (OR 5.83 for the ages of 20-29 yrs), relatively healthy and more likely single (OR 2.62 and OR 2.92 respectively). Type and duration of sexual concern, age, coexisting health problems and marital status relate significantly (p<0.01) with willingness to seek medical help.


CONCLUSIONS
The study demonstrates that ED and PE are men's major sexual concerns with personal and interpersonal factors influencing their help-seeking behaviour. Help-lines can serve as a link between health services and callers, while provide useful information for policy formation and improvement of support services.
Papaharitou
Stamatis
S
Centre for Sexual and Reproductive Health, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
Athanasiadis
Loukas
L
Nakopoulou
Evangelia
E
Kirana
Paraskevi
P
Portseli
Alexandra
A
Iraklidou
Maria
M
Hatzimouratidis
Konstantinos
K
Hatzichristou
Dimitrios
D
D000328:Adult; D004542:Ejaculation; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000523:psychology*; D015277:Hotlines; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors