1. ¹Extended Care Line, Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
2. ²Geriatrics Section, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
3. ³Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Texas-Houston, Houston, TX, USA
4. ⁴Men's Health and Wellness, OPAL Medical Clinic, Houston, TX, USA

Correspondence: Dr RS Tan, Extended Care Line (110), Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA. E-mail: Robert.Tan@med.va.gov

Received 3 October 2006; Revised 16 January 2007; Accepted 27 January 2007; Published online 26 July 2007.

Abstract

We investigated whether a preference by patients regarding the gender of a health care provider to manage erectile dysfunction (ED) may be a factor in the diagnosis and care of this condition, whose broader medical significance is an area of increasing interest. A brief questionnaire was completed by 1087 adult males in a primary care setting. The questionnaire explored provider gender preference and other possible biases. The prevalence of ED in the 40–69 age group in our population was 68.8%. The prevalence was 81% in the age group of 70 and more. Of those who reported having experienced ED, 51.5% had discussed it with a provider, and 28.1% had been treated. Approximately, 57% expressed no provider gender preference, regardless of history of ED. Of those who stated a preference, approximately 75% prefer male providers. However, also among those who state a preference, Hispanics are not as likely as non-Hispanics to prefer a male provider (P=0.03). Most believe that males and females are equally qualified to manage ED, but among those who have a different opinion, the gender perceived more favorably is male. The issue of privacy during the discussion of ED was also very important to the respondents in this study.