Prevalence and characteristics of erectile dysfunction in black and mixed race primary care populations of the Cape Flats and Helderberg Basin area of the Western Cape, South Africa

Abstract

There is a growing awareness amongst primary care workers that male erectile dysfunction (ED) may be important in Black and Mixed Race South African populations. Both groups have a high incidence of hypertension. heart disease, diabetes mellitus and mental diseases and many of these diseases are associated with ED either directly or as a consequence of their treatment. The effect of ED on the patient is frequently not only embarrassing but also debilitating as far as mental health is concerned. The development of treatment guidelines and new modes of treatment, e.g. safe and effective drugs such as sildenafil intra-cavernous and intra-urethral alprostadil and other methods of treatment have become commonplace in the management of ED, offering new hope to a large percentage of affected men.