Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Paper
  • Published:

Epidemiology of erectile dysfunction: results of the ‘Cologne Male Survey’

Abstract

The last few decades have seen a marked increase in mean life expectancy in Central Europe. This has made elderly people and their quality of life a matter of ever-increasing medical concern. Available data from the United States and Scandinavia relating to erectile dysfunction (ED) do not enable us to draw valid conclusions about the current situation in Germany. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the epidemiology of male sexuality in Germany, and the proportion of men who need medical treatment because of increased suffering from this.

A newly developed and validated questionnaire on male erectile dysfunction was mailed to a representative population sample of 8000 men, 30–80 y of age in the Cologne urban district.

The response included 4489 evaluable replies (56.1%). The response rates in different age groups ranged from 49.2% to 68.4%. Regular sexual activity was reported by 96.0% (youngest age group) to 71.3% (oldest group). There were 31.5%–44% of responders who were dissatisfied with their current sex life. The prevalence of ED was 19.2%, with a steep age-related increase (2.3–53.4%) and a high co-morbidity of ED with hypertension, diabetes, pelvic surgery and ‘lower urinary tract symptoms’. When treatment need was defined by co-occurence of ED and dissatisfaction with sex life, 6.9% men required treatment for ED. Oral treatment of ED was preferred by 73.8% of respondents. There were 46.2% respondents who were willing to contribute more than DM 50 (25 Euro) per month for ED treatment.

We conclude that regular sexual activity is a normal finding in advanced age. ED is a frequent disorder, contributing to dissatisfaction with sex life in a considerable proportion of men. The high burden of ED is reflected in willingness to pay for treatment. ED is frequently associated with chronic diseases. Therefore adequate diagnostic workup is essential, to offer patients individually adapted treatment. General non-reimbursability of treatment for ED appears to be unacceptable.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M Braun.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Braun, M., Wassmer, G., Klotz, T. et al. Epidemiology of erectile dysfunction: results of the ‘Cologne Male Survey’. Int J Impot Res 12, 305–311 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900622

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900622

Keywords

Search

Quick links