Factors Associated with Erectile Dysfunction Among Older Gay Men.

ABSTRACT

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common issue that aging men encounter, but whether internalized gay ageism (i.e., the internalization of ageist messages within the context of aging as a gay man) is related to ED among older gay men is unknown. A cross-sectional web-based survey explored the relationship between internalized gay ageism, health-related and social factors, and ED among older gay men who resided in the Midwest United States (N = 181). Internalized gay ageism was not significantly associated with ED. However, hierarchical regression analysis found that age (ß = .224, t = 2.70, p = .008) and overall health (ß = -.247, t = -3.05, p = .003) were significantly associated with ED among older gay men, suggesting that older gay men share similar risk factors for ED as the general male population. Future research should continue to explore other factors that are unique to gay men that may be associated with ED.