European Markets for Erectile Dysfunction Drugs, Devices, and Therapies

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient to complete sexual intercourse. While ED is more common in men older than age 65, most men older than age 40 experience occasional difficulty; it is estimated that more than 50% of men ages 40 to 70 report periodic episodes of ED. Occasional changes in erectile function is a normal part of aging; for example, it may take longer for erections to occur, they may not be as rigid, and/or they may require more direct stimulation.

It is estimated that ED, also known as impotence, affects more than 150 million men worldwide. Although most cases of ED are not reported, in Europe, it is estimated that more than 20 million men are affected by the condition, and up to 30 million or more may suffer ED in the United States (U.S.); worldwide, the number of men with ED is expected to double by the year 2025. Despite the high number of cases, ED is greatly undertreated and underdiagnosed—only an estimated 15% of men with the condition actually seek help from a physician due to the fact that they view ED as a personal or embarrassing condition. When ED becomes a persistent problem, however, it may interfere with a man's self-image as well as his or his partner's sexual life.

Despite the awkwardness associated with discussing ED, since the launch of Viagra in 1998, there has been a considerable increase in public awareness of the condition due to intensive advertising/marketing by manufacturers of oral ED drugs. The global market for oral ED drugs has reached more than $3 billion since the launch of Viagra, which revolutionized treatment for the condition.