(082) Erectile Dysfunction: Tool to Break Men's Sexual Stigma
Authors: Neudakh O 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Statistics reveal that a significant number of men, particularly those over the age of 30 and 50, experience some form of erectile dysfunction (ED). Shockingly, 8 out of 10 men suffering from ED do not take any proactive measures to treat or prevent it. This rise in ED cases has been closely linked to the increasing rates of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, with hypertension also being a contributing factor. As of 2017, nearly half of all adults in the US (47%, or 116 million) had hypertension. Unfortunately, many men choose to conceal or remain silent about their struggles with ED, primarily due to the social stigma that surrounds this issue.

Objective
Our goal is to break the stigma surrounding men’s sexual health, transform men's attitudes towards their intimate well-being, and encourage them to proactively prioritize it. We aim to encourage men to pay more attention to their sexual health and empower them to lead long, fulfilling intimate lives while also seeking timely medical assistance when needed.

Methods
We have developed a mobile application for iOS that allows men anonymously to discreetly monitor, maintain, and enhance their sexual health. The application offers the following features: 1. Physical and relaxation exercises, alongside a sexual activity tracker, enabling users to record details about sexual encounters, masturbation, and erection quality. For instance, the tracker revealed that men reported engaging in masturbation 40% more frequently than participating in sexual activities. Additionally, 17.8% of users experienced incomplete erections during intercourse, while a significant 71% of men were affected by varying degrees of erectile dysfunction (ED). 2. Educational content: Articles categorized into topics such as sexual education, diseases, sexual education for children and teenagers, gender identity, and more. 3. Regular "Check-up" feature helps users keep track of recommended tests based on their age, providing reminders for scheduled doctor's visits. It is important to note that the application doesn't replace a visit to a doctor. In June 2023, a user survey was conducted to assess the impact of the application on men's health, and 57 male participants were recruited from the app's user base, voluntarily participating in the study.

Results
The findings revealed that the majority of participants reported positive changes in their sexual health after using the application. 1. 75% reported a general improvement in their sexual health. These positive changes encompassed various aspects of sexual well-being, such as erectile function, libido, orgasm intensity, and overall satisfaction. 2. 42% reported an improvement in the quality of their erections. 3. 23% experienced more intense orgasms. 4. 25% reported an increase in their libido. 5. 42% became more aware of their sexual health.

Conclusions
The survey findings suggest that the app may have contributed to improvements in various aspects of sexual well-being, including erection quality, orgasm intensity, libido, and sexual health awareness. The results highlight the potential value of the application as a tool for men seeking to monitor, enhance, and unlock the full potential of their sexual health.

Disclosure
No.