Erectile dysfunction affects more Kenyan men in their 40s

A growing number of Kenyan men in their 40s are seeking medical assistance with erectile dysfunction. This, medical professionals say, is largely influenced by the demands of modern life, the prevalence of chronic health conditions, and the weight of psychological pressures that many men face today.

As a result, more men are grappling with intimacy challenges that affect their relationships and overall well-being.

"Most middle-aged men are seeking medical assistance for erectile dysfunction, but there are other sexual health concerns that the men have, all varying in the different age groups," Dr Samuel Ogombe, consultant urologist and surgeon at AAR Hospital, explains.

He attributes the rising cases of erectile dysfunction to sedentary lifestyles, poor dietary choices, and societal pressures that affect mental health.

However, according to Dr Ogombe, stigma is a major impediment for men coming out to seek help on sexual health matters.

“Even when they come to see me, many of them will skirt around the topic before they tell you, doc, this is actually what I'm having. Can I be helped? It is a sensitive issue,  and when men are not able to perform sexually, then they find it embarrassing,” he says.

An analysis from the hospital shows that in the last year, the number of men who visited their facility for sexual health consultation nearly doubled. It also shows the prevalence of sexual health issues increases with age.

In January last year, for instance, only 14 men visited the facility, and this year, the number increased to 21 with an additional seven men seeking health services majority presenting with erectile dysfunction.

Also, In February last year, there were only 11 men at the Urology clinic, this year, the number grew to 25.

He further explains that there are two groups of men predisposed to erectile dysfunction –some of them may get the condition naturally because of underlying health issues, while others may be affected by psychological issues that could be short-lived.

Dr Ogombe explains that organic (or natural) causes of erectile dysfunction are things like diabetes, issues with the blood vessels, patients who have blockages of the arteries, and endocrine disorders, like testosterone, among others.

He advises that good mental health is essential for good sexual function, as the connection between ED and psychosocial factors is already well-documented in medical studies.

“A young man may have sexual issues just because he is going through some stress with the spouse or at work, those are psychological,” he said.

"The co-existence of erectile dysfunction (ED) and heart disease is well established and may lead to a heart attack. Local studies done in Kenya have also affirmed this association. The association with heart disease is complex but in simple terms, there is a blockage of blood vessels that supply the various organs including the reproductive organs,” Dr Ogombe explains.

There are treatment options for erectile dysfunction, which include; counselling, medical therapy, and surgical therapy depending on the various factors.

"Penile prosthesis (Penile implants are devices placed inside the penis to allow men with erectile dysfunction) are also locally available and can be offered in cases of failed medical therapy. So, no man should suffer in silence," says Dr Ogombe.

He, however, adds that ED is not a single disease entity like malaria where options are clear-cut, and so the treatment offered may vary from patient to patient depending on the cause, comorbidity, severity, and other factors.

“All this varies depending on the severity, the cause, and so you have to deal with each individual on what has caused the dysfunction,” he says.

A study conducted in South Africa published in the scientific journal BMC Public Health in January this year explains different reasons why men prefer not to seek help in hospital.

“To conform to masculinity beliefs and societal expectations, participants became stubborn and sacrificed their health to meet societal expectations of being strong,” shows the study.

“They expressed that they want quick service as waiting too long at the facility consumes their time,” indicates another.

Dr Ogombe advises men to be bold and go to the hospital because that is the only way they can be helped.