How to Detect Early Erectile Dysfunction?
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Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. ED can affect physical and psychosocial health and significantly impact the quality of life for men and their partners. Moreover, there is growing evidence that ED may be an early manifestation of cardiovascular diseases. As such, ED is an important warning indicator of underlying cardiovascular risk1.A study conducted in eight countries found that the overall prevalence of men experiencing ED is 16%. However, men with certain comorbidities are at greater risk of ED. The study revealed that ED affects 31% of men with cardiovascular diseases, 26% of men with hypertension, and 26% of men with high cholesterol2. In another study, the prevalence of ED among men with diabetes was reported to be as high as 52.5%3.Given these facts, early detection of ED becomes essential. There are several methods that can be performed independently to determine whether you may have ED. These include the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) questionnaire and the Erection Hardness Score (EHS)4,5.SHIM Questionnaire4The SHIM questionnaire consists of a series of questions with specific scoring designed to help you and your doctor identify whether you may have ED. It even allows for determining the severity of the condition. The questions in the SHIM questionnaire are as follows:
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After answering all five questions, add up your total score and interpret the results using the table below:
ERECTION HARDNESS SCORE (EHS)5In addition to the SHIM questionnaire, ED can also be detected using the EHS. Developed in 1998, the EHS measures the level of erection hardness based on self-observation. According to EHS, the hardness of a penile erection is categorized into four levels:
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Singapore's Society for Men's Health proposed an analogy of erection hardness levels with the hardness of four types of food to help men self-assess their erection hardness. These levels range from the least hard to the hardest, as follows6:
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The SHIM questionnaire and Erection Hardness Score (EHS) can assist in the early detection of ED. Do not let erection problems hinder you from having a more satisfying sexual experience. ED can be treated medically. Consult your doctor promptly if you experience this condition.
References:
Hatzimouratidis K, et al. Guidelines on male sexual dysfunction: erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. Eur Urol. 2010;57(5):804-14. Rosen RC, et al. The multinational Men’s Attitudes to Life Events and Sexuality (MALES) study: I. Prevalence of erectile dysfunction and related health concerns in the general population. Curr Med Res Opin. 2004;20(5):607-17. Kouidrat Y, et al. High prevalence of erectile dysfunction in diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 145 studies. Diabetic Med. 2017;34(9):1185-92. Cappelleri JC, Rosen RC. The Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM): a 5-year review of research and clinical experience. Int J Impot Res. 2005;17(4):307-19. Goldstein I, et al. The erection hardness score and its relationship to successful sexual intercourse. J Sex Med. 2008;5(10):2374-80. Gentlemen, rate yourselves: cucumber or banana? Reuters 2007. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-erections/gentlemen-rate-yourselves-cucumber-or-banana-idUSSIN2671420070424. Accessed on 28 June 2024.
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