Views of Turkish Men Regarding the use of Drugs and Products for Increasing Sexual Performance

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the views of the adult male population in Turkey concerning the use of drugs (Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors) and herbal products to increase sexual performance, and to assess the use and outcomes of these medications within the study site. Material and Method: This non-interventional, observational, sectional site study was conducted in 2012. Participants were randomly selected from 19 provinces of Turkey according to Eurostat and Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics (NUTS) Level-2 by a proportional sampling method according to postal code lists. Men aged 18 years or older were included in this study as representatives of the male Turkish population. Of these, 410 men using at least one erectile dysfunction (ED) product within the last year were interviewed faceto-face. Results: 9845 of participants did not have ED. The rate of drug use for "increasing sexual performance" by those not reporting erection problems was 6345. Among this group of drugs, moderate to high satisfaction rates were observed for sildenafil and herbal products of 8545 and 6345 respectively. Women's awareness of their partners' drugs use was low at 2545. Satisfaction among women aware of their partners' drug use was 63%. Discussion: The prevalence of drug use, including PDE-5 inhibitors or herbal products, is high among Turkish men, who often do not inform their partners about their drug use. Given the high rate of satisfaction in cases where partners are informed, we believe that the positive psychosocial effects of these medications on partners could contribute to treatment planning.