Health x Wellness

Increasing access to sexual dysfunction treatments through digitalisation

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Erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory problems are among the most common health conditions affecting men today.

Research shows that the prevalence of erectile dysfunction amongst young men globally stands at 30 percent and 31 percent across Asia-Pacific, with these figures projected to increase in the future.  

Despite these conditions impacting a significant proportion of men, the number of sufferers seeking out professional consultation and treatment for erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation is alarmingly low.

According to the CDC, 95 percent of erectile dysfunction cases for men are in fact treatable. However, treatments are often under sought, with only a quarter of such patients getting help for their condition.

Overcoming psychological barriers to getting treated

Sexual dysfunctions are commonly viewed as an embarrassment to one’s masculinity, and the fear of judgement and associated stigma with these conditions fuels the hesitance men face in seeking treatment. These psychological barriers are further compounded by their limited or inaccurate understanding of such conditions.

With the increasing focus on health and wellbeing today, the time is ripe to drive greater awareness of sexual dysfunctions and encourage more open discussions around erectile disorders and premature ejaculation. This is where healthcare companies can play an important role by championing health education and building a community where silent sufferers feel supported, ultimately giving them the confidence to take the first step towards seeking professional medical consultation and treatment.

Improving access to sexual dysfunction advice and treatments through digitalisation

The global pandemic necessitated a shift from traditional face-to-face healthcare models to digital health services such as online consultations and e-pharmacies. These digital solutions have significantly improved accessibility to reliable medical information and visibility of treatment options, especially for those suffering from sexual dysfunctions.

The discretion and convenience afforded by specialized telehealth services can encourage more patients to receive professional consultation and treatment from the privacy and security of their homes.  This was consistent with observations by leading pharmaceutical company Menarini Asia Pacific through its partnership with Singapore-based telehealth platforms such as OfNoah, Ora and Sire, where more than 4,300 new patients sought consultations and treatments for their erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation conditions over the past two years. Similarly in China, such patients who shied away from in-person consultations gravitated towards domestic internet hospitals that Menarini collaborated with, including the likes of JD.com, Jianke and Haodaifu.

Many online consultation platforms directly linked with e-dispensing platforms can improve accessibility to medications by allowing sexual dysfunction patients to anonymously purchase and repurchase prescriptions through their devices effortlessly. With more e-commerce and e-dispensing platforms implementing privacy policies, patients can feel secure in transacting online and having their medication delivered to their homes hassle free in a matter of days without needing to physically visit a hospital, clinical or pharmacy.

Regaining confidence through online education and community building

The internet has long been the preferred platform for those looking to learn more about their sexual health conditions. In today’s mobile-first society, reliance on social media for information is growing tremendously, with those suffering from sexual dysfunctions increasingly seeking out information on such platforms.

Short-form educational video content is especially popular on social media and an effective way for companies to engage with target audiences. For instance, Menarini China routinely collaborates with healthcare professionals to develop informative online live and on-demand educational video content on sexual dysfunctions to be disseminated through popular social media platforms such as WeChat, TikTok and Kuaishou. The increasing access to such educational content has been proven to have a positive impact on raising awareness for such conditions and shifting the public mindset, in addition to helping sufferers realize that their struggles are not uncommon.

To supplement educational content online, counselling programmes and psychological support campaigns provide a safe space for men to discuss sensitive health conditions privately with a clinician or with other patients. The sense of community and support act as strong motivators for affected individuals to pursue professional consultations and treatment options.

Making credible men’s health information accessible has the power to transform lives

This is especially true in the case of those suffering from erectile disorders and premature ejaculations. Being informed on their sexual health condition, seeing it normalised through online discussions and having access to support communities are all motivating factors that could lead them on the path of physical and emotional recovery.

The rise of telehealth services and e-commerce during the pandemic has given a renewed sense of hope to those who were silently suffering from sexual health conditions, allowing them to overcome psychological barriers and seek medical consultation and treatment in a secure and comfortable environment.

digitalisation

While digitalisation has made a positive difference in the lives of sexual dysfunction sufferers, there is still a significant number of men who are silently suffering from such conditions. This is where a collective effort across the healthcare industry is vital to reduce the stigma often associated with sexual dysfunction. Omni-channel digital strategies like those deployed by Menarini have the potential to be far-reaching and can improve awareness around such prevalent yet undertreated health conditions. Ultimately, the goal is to inform those suffering from sexual heath conditions such as erectile disorders and premature ejaculation that their condition is common, treatable and that they are not alone.


Article contributed by Glen Godresse, Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Commercial Excellence, Menarini Asia-Pacific

Images by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash and by Scott Sanker on Unsplash

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