International Survey Reveals the Effects Erectile Dysfunction and Prostate Problems Have on Relationships (1)

--- Women are affected more than men may realize; men tolerate symptoms for months before seeing a doctor

--- With Photo

INDIANAPOLIS, July 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- An international survey conducted by Adelphi and released today by Eli Lilly and Company revealed the many ways that erectile dysfunction (ED) and the urinary symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) affect couples and their relationships, from interfering with their sex lives, to causing tension and arguments, to interrupting activities they once enjoyed together but now avoid. The "Taking Control" survey also revealed women felt the effects of their partners' health conditions more than men may realize. Surveyed women consistently rated these impacts higher than the men.

For a quick glance at the survey findings, visit Lilly Taking Control Global Survey Fact Sheet [http://www.multivu.com/mnr/61993-eli-lilly-international-sur...]

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Effects on Relationships A majority of men and women surveyed said ED/BPH interfered with their relationships. Both men and women (77 percent) agreed ED/BPH limited their enjoyment in their relationships, though they disagreed somewhat on how their relationships were affected. Both said ED/BPH interfered with their sex life (men: 70 percent; women 75 percent); however, 61 percent of men said the conditions made them feel older, while significantly fewer women (46 percent) said their partners' ED/BPH symptoms affected their relationship by making them feel older. Women, more frequently than men, said ED/BPH caused tension (men: 30 percent; women: 43 percent) and arguments (men: 15 percent; women: 22 percent) and disrupted sleep (men: 33 percent; women: 39 percent).

"Men's health issues can have a significant impact not just on their own lives, but on the lives of their partners and their relationship as a couple," said Roberto Servi, Senior Director of Global Marketing, Urology, Eli Lilly and Company. "Perhaps knowing this may motivate some men to take action and talk to their doctors about their ED and BPH symptoms."

Delays in Discussions Both men (76 percent) and women (78 percent) surveyed indicated they have spoken with their partner about ED/BPH symptoms. However, 35 percent of men and 41 percent of women said they waited more than six months before bringing up the subject with their partners.

Similarly, 40 percent of men with ED symptoms waited at least 7 months before seeing a doctor for treatment. For men who didn't seek treatment they most often cited that "I thought it would go away with time" (35 percent).

Thirty-one percent of men with urinary symptoms of BPH waited at least 7 months before seeing a doctor for treatment. The top reason cited by men for not seeking treatment for their BPH symptoms was: "It is a natural part of aging" (34 percent).

Additional Survey Findings: Country Comparisons

    ---  In all countries, respondents reported that sex played a part in
        enjoying life with their partner. This was particularly true among men
        in Brazil (85 percent) and women in Italy (71 percent) as opposed to men
        and women in France and Germany (France: men 59 percent, women 52
        percent; Germany: men 60 percent; women 44 percent).
    --  The majority of respondents in all countries said ED/BPH symptoms
        interfered with their enjoyment of their relationship. Men and women in
        Italy said this most often (men: 89 percent; women: 91 percent), while
        men and women in France were least likely to say the symptoms interfered
        (men: 70 percent; women: 68 percent).
    --  Across countries, most have discussed their ED/BPH symptoms with their
        partners. Men in the UK (68 percent) and women in Brazil (70 percent)
        were least likely to have discussed ED/BPH symptoms with their partners.
        Men in Canada (86 percent) and women in Italy (89 percent) were most
        likely.
    --  Men and women in Italy, Mexico and Brazil said they would rather discuss
        sexual problems than urination problems with a doctor, compared to men
        and women in the UK, France and Germany who chose urination problems
        over sexual problems.

About ED and BPH ED is a medical condition in which a man has trouble getting or keeping an erection. It is a very common condition: more than half of men over 40 have ED.[1]

ED can affect more than just men's sex lives. It can cause men to doubt themselves in other areas of their lives, too. Men with ED may also worry that it's getting in the way of their relationship with their partner.[2,3]

Along with age, causes of ED can include conditions such as depression or stress, or physical problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease. Some medications and an unhealthy lifestyle (for example, smoking) can also lead to ED.[4]

BPH, also known as an enlarged prostate, is a condition in which men have problems with urination, such as having to "go" more frequently or urgently. It usually happens in older men: more than half of all men over age 50 are believed to have lower urinary tract symptoms.[5]

The symptoms of BPH can range from mild to severe.[5] Men with more severe BPH symptoms can feel overwhelmed with having to plan their day around their condition and always having to know where the bathroom is. They also may worry that their BPH symptoms are getting in the way of enjoying life with their partner.[6,7,8,9]

About the Survey The international survey was conducted online by Adelphi on behalf of Eli Lilly and Company among 1,513 men and women aged 40-65. Participants in the poll were from eight countries: Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain and UK. Respondents all stated that they (for the male respondents) or their partners (for female respondents) experience erectile dysfunction and at least one of the urinary symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, as listed within the questionnaire. The margin of error is 3.6 percent when analyzing results on total men or total women. Aggregated (global) male and female responses are weighted based on population targets and are not a true average of all countries. By weighting each country's male and female data, the global data represents each country's data relative to the other countries.

For a quick glance at the survey findings, visit Lilly Taking Control Global Survey Fact Sheet [http://www.multivu.com/mnr/61993-eli-lilly-international-sur...]

About Eli Lilly and Company Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers - through medicines and information - for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Additional information about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com [http://www.lilly.com/]

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