The Global Online Sexuality Survey (GOSS) 2015: Erectile Dysfunction Among English-Speaking Internet Users in the United States

Abstract

Introduction: The Global Online Sexuality Survey (GOSS) is an ongoing online epidemiologic study of male and female sexuality launched across the globe. The first launch was in the Middle East in 2010 followed by USA in 2011. This is the report on trends in male sexuality and prevalence and risk factors for erectile dysfunction (ED) in USA; 2015.Patients and Methods: English-speaking web surfers in the USA were recruited for GOOS 2015 by an international online survey service provider, with age and ethnicity distribution matching that of the general US population. A total of 100 questions were offered to the participants, including the abbreviated international index of erectile function, risk factors for ED, ejaculatory function, therapeutic trends, sexual preferences and sexual orientation.Results: A total of 610 men with a median age of 44 years (range 18-82). Of the participants, 90.2% described themselves as exclusively or predominantly heterosexual and 52.3% were married whereas 20.1% had multiple partners simultaneously, 54% had experienced one-night stands, with 33% never or rarely using condom on those occasions. ED was encountered in 55.4% of the participants. Some risk factors had a statistically significant influence on ED prevalence including diabetes, smoking, low desire, dissatisfaction with penile size and multiplicity of partners.Conclusion: ED seems to affect 55.4 % of males in USA; in 2015, with an association to diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypothyroidism, subjective impression of having premature ejaculation, low desire, difficult urination, smoking, dissatisfaction with penile size and multiplicity of partners, with emphasis on online cohorts being heavily weighted towards younger and better educated individuals (only 2.1% in the age of 60 and up).