Andrology departments call for 'new' sexual equality

Andrology experts urged more andrology departments in major hospitals and male sex and health education to mark the 21st male health day, which falls on Oct 28.

According to research in male erectile dysfunction (ED), about one-quarter of ED patients were under the age of 40. Other research on Chinese males shows 20.54 percent of those under 40 are rated as having moderate or severe ED.

ED is emerging as a social problem, as a survey based on multinational data shows 23.6 percent of Chinese ED patients were affected in their working ability, two and a half times the proportion of those with no ED problems.

Jiang Hui, professor of the andrology department of Peking University Third Hospital and president of China Sexology Association, said ED has many causes, but work pressure and unhealthy daily habits are mainly to blame.

According to Jiang, ED can be treated through surgical procedures or taking medication, and PDE5 (phosphodiesterase type 5) inhibiting tablets are the top choice for patients because they are convenient, effective and private.

Sildenafil Citrate Orodispersible Tablets, known as Viagra ODT, was announced to be launched in Chinese mainland during the ceremony to provide a more effective solution to Chinese ED patients, as PDE5 inhibitors can disperse in mouth within seconds and take effect in 12 minutes at the earliest.

The tablets are on prescription and available on the Jingdong Health online platform.

Ren Xiaoxiu, deputy president of sales in China of Pfizer Upjohn, a multinational medicine cooperation introducing Viagra ODT, said apart from Jingdong Health, more private and safe sale platforms and professional services need to be developed, as ED patients and the disease are still embarrassing topics in China. Patients are reluctant to go to doctors, despite the growing andrology sector.

Andrology departments are being separated from urology departments in major hospitals to arouse public awareness to treat male diseases in a more open way. Gynecology and andrology should be "equal" both in terms of public cognition and medical insurance systems instead of taking only the female as more vulnerable, Jiang said.