Erectile dysfunction management options in Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
In Nigeria, the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) among patients attending primary care clinics, age-standardized to the U.S. population in 2000 is 57.4%. This is considered high enough to warrant the attention of scientist for critical studies and analysis. The high ED prevalence is associated with etiologies such as psychosexual factors, chronic medical conditions, and some lifestyles. ED constitutes a major public health problem, influencing the patient's well-being and quality of life. It also leads to broken homes and marriages, psychological, social, and physical morbidity.


OBJECTIVE
To give an account of various ED management options in Nigeria.


METHODS
Review of peer-reviewed literature, questionnaire, and ethnobotanical survey to some indigenous herb sellers and herbalists.


METHODS
Cross cultural perspectives of ED management in Nigeria.


RESULTS
The review suggests that traditional (phytotherapy, zootherapy, and occultism) and nontraditional, orthodox practice (drug therapy, psychological, and behavioral counseling) are applicable to ED management in Nigeria.


CONCLUSIONS
This review should help in creating awareness into various options available for managing ED in the country, but does not recommend self medication of any form, be it the use of orthodox or herbal remedy.
Afolayan
Anthony Jide
AJ
Centre for Phytomedicine Research, Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa. Electronic address: Aafolayan@ufh.ac.za.
Yakubu
Musa Toyin
MT
Centre for Phytomedicine Research, Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D009781:Occultism; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires