Epidemiology

Epidemiological data have shown a high prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) worldwide, but estimations are difficult due to the range of definitions and screening tests for ED used.[5]​​ The prevalence of ED in Germany has been estimated at 19.2% among 30- to 80-year-old men in Cologne.​[6]​​ The incidence of new cases is also high. In Brazil, over a 2-year period, it has been estimated that there are 65.6 cases per 1000 men annually.[7] In one study in the Netherlands the incidence of significant ED over a period of 4.2 years has been estimated at 19.2 cases per 1000 men annually.[8]

In the US, some degree of erectile difficulty is reported by half of men aged 40 to 70 years with an incidence rate of around 26 cases per 1000 man-years.​[9][10]​

The incidence and prevalence rates of ED increases with age.[5] ​However, one study showed that one in four patients seeking first medical help for new onset ED was younger than 40 years.[11] In one study of young (18 to 31 years) sexually active men, mild erectile dysfunction reported in 11.3% and 2.9% reported moderate-to-severe erectile dysfunction.[12]

Race variation has been observed, in that Hispanic men were nearly twice as likely to have ED and develop the condition at younger ages.[13] However, this finding is not consistently supported.​[14]

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