Purpose: We estimated the prevalence and severity of erectile dysfunction (ED) in a population based sample of 50 to 75-year-old Finnish men.
Materials and methods: The target population consisted of all noninstitutionalized men 50, 60 or 70 years old residing in the study area in 1994. Questionnaires were mailed to 3,143 men in 1994 and to 2,864 men 5 years later. ED was assessed by 2 questions on subject ability to achieve and maintain erection sufficient for intercourse. Subjects were classified for analysis into none, minimal, moderate and complete ED groups.
Results: The overall prevalence of ED was 76.5%. The prevalence of ED increased from 67% for men 50 years old to 89% for those 75 years old. The prevalence of moderate and complete ED was 29%, increasing rapidly with age from 12% for age 50 years to 58% at age 75 years. Moderate ED increased by 8%, whereas complete ED increased by 18% for each 1-year age increment.
Conclusions: ED is a highly prevalent disorder in 50 to 75-year-old men. It increases with age and is markedly higher after age 60 years. The prevalence of moderate ED increases linearly and slowly, while that of complete ED increases exponentially and rapidly with advancing age.