Erectile Problems in a Non-clinical Sample: Remission rates and perceived factors in remission

One hundred and nine men (38% single, 48% married) participated in a study which investigated the prevalence and remission rate of erectile difficulty. A total of 25 men reported erectile difficulty at some time. Eight reported current erectile difficulty, the remaining 17 men reported remission of previous erectile difficulty, giving a remission rate of 68% for untreated erectile problems. Those men who had remitted did not differ from those still symptomatic in terms of age, marital status, socio-economic status or duration of the complaint. When asked for perceived reasons for their remission, 53% reported that they had stopped worrying about their erection and 47% believed that more opportunity for a sexual relationship had helped. Reasons for remission tended to be ‘psychological’ rather than ‘practical’, ‘physical’ or specifically ‘sexual’. Only two subjects had sought professional help but this was not specifically sex therapy. It is concluded that remission of erectile difficulty in those not seeking help would appear to be high and may be one reason why few men complain of sexual problems to their GP.