We Need to Talk About Erectile Dysfunction: 38% of Canadian Men Don't Know You Need a Prescription for ED Medication
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 9, 2025--
For Men's Health Week (June 9 to 15), Phoenix, Canada's leading digital health clinic for men, is raising awareness to break the stigma around erectile dysfunction (ED), a medical condition that affects almost half (49.4%) of Canadian men aged 40 to 88.
ED is a medical condition that prevents the ability to get and maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse, with a range of potential causes that could each contribute to the condition, including age, medications, injury, and lifestyle. Despite its prevalence, Phoenix's survey of more than 1,500 Canadians found that there is a significant lack of awareness around ED and its treatment, likely contributing to stigma surrounding the condition.
CANADIANS UNDERESTIMATE THE REACH OF ED
Despite nearly half of Canadian men over 40 being affected, ED's prevalence is underestimated, driving undue stigma. In fact, almost half of Canadians (45%) think that ED affects less than 40 per cent of men 40+. Twenty-seven per cent of Canadians think it affects less than 30 per cent of men 40+.
While Canadians underestimate the prevalence of ED in middle-aged and older men, many are also unaware that the condition can also impact younger men. The survey found that 64 per cent of Canadiansdon't know that men aged 35 and younger can experience ED. That percentage grows as you look at younger men, with 71% of Canadians unaware that men aged 18 to 25 can be affected. This common misconception can contribute to the stigma around experiencing ED as a younger man, making it more difficult for those struggling to seek care.
'ED is a medical condition that men of all ages can experience. There shouldn't be anything awkward about it, but there is. We're trying to change that,' says Kevin Bache, co-founder and co-CEO of Phoenix. 'While it may feel uncomfortable, men need to understand what the condition entails, and not shy away from being proactive in discussing it with a doctor. The sooner you get started, the better your chances are at finding mental and physical relief.'
WIDESPREAD MISUNDERSTANDING OF ED MEDICATION
Treatment for ED and its underlying cause can vary greatly depending on a patient's prognosis, however, medication is a common and effective treatment. Despite this fact, Phoenix's survey found 18 per cent of men are unsure if ED is treatable with medication, revealing a lack of awareness that may leave many suffering needlessly.
The data also highlighted a concerning gap in awareness that ED medication requires a prescription. Thirty-eight per cent of men are unsure or don't think they need a prescription to purchase medication, such as Viagra, for ED. However, the lack of awareness is most significant among younger Canadians. About three in fiveGen Z (59%) don't know that you need a prescription for ED medication: 32 per cent are unsure, and 27 per cent don't think you need a prescription at all.
It is important that Canadians know that ED medication requires a prescription from a medical professional, as they may otherwise be vulnerable to purchasing unauthorized sexual enhancement products sold over the counter, which Health Canada warns could pose serious health risks.
'It's no surprise that people aren't aware of the prevalence of ED – it just doesn't get talked about enough. But the good news is, there are treatment options, and with more openness and awareness, more people can seek support immediately,' says Gavin Thompson, co-founder and co-CEO of Phoenix. 'We built Phoenix to change that. Our mission is simple: make expert care easy to access – fast, discreet, and doctor-led. We're building a future where men take charge of their health with confidence.'
WHAT CANADIANS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ED
Phoenix is currently available in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland. To learn more about Phoenix's ED support, visit https://www.phoenix.ca/treatments/erectile-dysfunction.
ABOUT PHOENIX
Phoenix is Canada's leading digital health clinic for men, specializing in three areas of treatment – erectile dysfunction, weight loss, and hair loss. The telehealth platform facilitates access to licensed Canadian physicians, treatment options, and free, discreet shipping of prescription medication from coast to coast. Visit Phoenix.ca to learn more.
SURVEY METHODOLOGY
These findings are from a survey conducted by Phoenix from May 20th to May 22nd, 2025, among a representative sample of 1509 online Canadians who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The survey was conducted in English and French. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/-2.53 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250609610043/en/
CONTACT: MEDIA
Anne-Marie Tremble
Senior Account Manager, Talk Shop Media
[email protected]
613-914-3551
KEYWORD: NORTH AMERICA CANADA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HEALTH CONSUMER TELEMEDICINE/VIRTUAL MEDICINE OTHER HEALTH GENERAL HEALTH MEN PHARMACEUTICAL
SOURCE: Phoenix
Copyright Business Wire 2025.
PUB: 06/09/2025 05:00 AM/DISC: 06/09/2025 04:58 AM
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250609610043/en
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Medscape
42 minutes ago
- Medscape
Migraine Expert Renews Call for Prompt, Effective Management
OTTAWA — Therapies that target calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) should be used up front in the treatment and prevention of migraine because of their efficacy, safety, and potential to modify the disease course, an expert said. Speaking at the annual meeting of the Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation (CNSF) Congress 2025, David Dodick, MD, emeritus professor of neurology at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, reiterated the appeal that was first published in an American Headache Society position statement: That migraine therapies that target CGRP become first-line treatments for migraine. A Bold Call Some of the available monoclonal antibodies to treat migraine include erenumab, fremanezumab, galcanezumab, and eptinezumab. The class of 'gepants' includes rimegepant and atogepant. All these treatments target CGRP. 'This was a type of expert consensus opinion,' Dodick told Medscape Medical News , referring to the 'rather bold' position statement. 'The real-world evidence supports what we saw in clinical trials, and we now know the safety profile of these [therapies] because we've had them for almost 8 years of use in clinical practice. They are not first-line [therapies] simply because of cost.' The largest prospective study on the use of anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies demonstrated robust responses to these therapies. Because CGRP-targeting therapies are well tolerated, discontinuation due to adverse events is generally not a concern, and increased efficacy may be realized if patients stay the course with CGRP-targeting therapies, said Dodick. 'You can imagine that if people are able to tolerate them and stay on these drugs longer, then efficacy is cumulative over time. Adherence and compliance increase the response rate over time,' said Dodick. Early Treatment Vital 'It really does matter how early you get to the patient and treat them effectively, both from the standpoint of treating an individual episode of migraine and from the prevention standpoint: That is, treating the disease earlier,' said Dodick. 'The more frequent that migraines are, and the more you allow them to be frequent, the more likely they are to progress to a daily migraine, and the more difficult they are to manage.' In the US and Canada, patients with migraine must first fail other treatments before they are prescribed newer agents like CGRP monoclonal antibodies or gepants, and this requirement creates the potential for a lapse in care, noted Dodick. 'Patients can become discouraged and lost to follow-up if they fail one medicine and then two medicines,' which he said supports the case for first-line access to CGRP-targeting migraine therapies. High-Impact Agents The efficacy of migraine treatments that target CGRP is convincing, said Michael Hill, MD, professor of clinical neuroscience at the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary. 'For some patients, they can get back to living a relatively normal life,' said Hill, who also is CNSF president. 'It can be a remarkable evolution. They go from being nonfunctioning and not working to being fully functional again because their migraine is not chronic, or their recurrent migraines are not so disabling.' Seeing patients who are unable to access these therapies is disheartening, Hill told Medscape Medical News. 'It is hard to see them denied this therapy.' The preventive potential that these therapies could offer would certainly be welcome, Hill added. 'The idea that some of these people who start with simple migraine and progress to a chronic, refractory migraine state, and that these might actually be preventable with early treatment, is really exciting.' Episodic treatment of migraine has not altered the disease course. 'The focus on migraine therapy has been on acute treatment and not so much on this idea that you might prevent the evolving chronicity of the disease.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Novant Health event supports men's health
Mishi Jackson has been a family physician for over 20 years, but she said that supporting men's health feels deeply personal to her. 'I have several men in my life: my husband, my son, my father, and my brothers,' Jackson said. 'I really want to make sure that we can get out there what a difference it makes when you get regular checks up and you know what's going on with your health.' Jackson, lean clinician at Novant Health Union Cross Family Medicine, is leading an initiative to encourage more men to go to their regularly scheduled checkups and be proactive about their health. On Wednesday, June 18, Novant Health Union Cross Family Medicine will hold 'Bring a Man to the Doctor Day' for Men's Health Month from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. People can call the clinic at 336-515-7410 to register. Jackson said 'Bring a Man to the Doctor Day' is intended to promote early detection for any developing health conditions. 'To males, they may see it as a weakness to get checked out, and men may try to put on a strong face and may not say when something is really wrong. Sometimes by the time that they find out something is wrong, it could be later on in the disease process where we can't do early detection and try to prevent some very serious complications,' Jackson said. Jackson emphasized the importance of educating men of various ages about different preventative health care methods. 'At the younger ages, we make sure that they are staying up on immunizations, which is important at any age. To me, one thing that we don't talk about enough is the need for testicular cancer screenings because that is a disease in young men. I make sure that my teenagers and young men know how to do self exams, 'Jackson said. Jackson said monitoring cardiovascular health is essential for preventing or reducing future complications. 'For all ages, we still want to screen for the cardiovascular risks like obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol. We're actually seeing these numbers elevate at younger ages, which means that we could see complications at younger ages. The earlier the detection, the better chance you have at reducing your risks and saving your life,' Jackson said. Jackson advocates for men to prioritize their physical health as well as their mental health. 'There is still a stigma out about mental health, and we want to break down those barriers to create an awareness that mental health is physical health. It should be treated the same and seen as the same,' Jackson said. Beyond the event, Jackson that this experience will instill healthy habits that promote healthier living. 'Healthy diets with increased lean proteins with fruits and vegetables help keep your weight managed. We also know that genetic and family risk factors play a role, and the more a person does on the front end to take care of their health, we see better outcomes,' Jackson said. Novant Health Union Cross Family Medicine is at 1471 Jag Branch Blvd, Ste 103.
Associated Press
20 hours ago
- Associated Press
Conavi Medical to Present at the Life Sciences Virtual Investor Forum June 12th
TORONTO, June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Conavi Medical Corp. (TSXV: CNVI) (OTCQB: CNVIF) ('Conavi Medical' or the 'Company'), a commercial-stage medical device company focused on designing, manufacturing, and marketing imaging technologies to guide common minimally invasive cardiovascular procedures, today announced that Thomas Looby, CEO, will present live at the Life Sciences Virtual Investor Forum hosted by on June 12th, 2025 DATE: June 12th TIME: 2:00 PM ET LINK: REGISTER HERE This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event. It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates. Learn more about the event at . Recent Company Highlights Upsized $20 million CAD financing led by U.S. institutional investors is expected to support finalizing product development of the next-generation Novasight Hybrid system, submit for regulatory clearance and enable commercial launch New U.S. intracoronary imaging guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and recent peer-reviewed research strongly validate Novasight's unique value proposition U.S. FDA 510(k) submission remains on track for calendar Q3 2025 About Conavi Medical Conavi Medical is focused on designing, manufacturing, and marketing imaging technologies to guide common minimally invasive cardiovascular procedures. Its patented Novasight Hybrid™ System is the first system to combine both intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) to enable simultaneous and co-registered imaging of coronary arteries. The Novasight Hybrid System has 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; and regulatory approval for clinical use from Health Canada, China's National Medical Products Administration, and Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. For more information, visit . About Virtual Investor Conferences® Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors. Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking information or forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws regarding Conavi and its business, which may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the anticipated use of proceeds from the April 2025 public offering, Conavi's exposure to the U.S. investment community, the commercialization and development of the Novasight Hybrid System and the achievement and timeline of key milestones towards commercialization and development of the Novasight Hybrid System. All statements that are, or information which is, not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, are 'forward-looking information or statements'. Often but not always, forward-looking information or statements can be identified by the use of words such as 'shall', 'intends', 'anticipate', 'believe', 'plan', 'expect', 'intend', 'estimate' 'anticipate' or any variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'might', 'can', 'could', 'would' or 'will' be taken, occur, lead to, result in, or, be achieved. Such statements are based on the current expectations and views of future events of the management of the Company. They are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Although management believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release, may not occur and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting the Company, including, without limitation, those listed in the 'Risk Factors' section of the short form prospectus dated April 15, 2025 and the joint information circular of the Company dated August 30, 2024 (both of which are on the Company's profile at ). Although Conavi has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Conavi does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the content of this press release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulatory Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Contacts: Conavi Medical Stefano Picone Chief Financial Officer [email protected] (416) 483-0100 Virtual Investor Conferences John M. Viglotti SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access OTC Markets Group (212) 220-2221 [email protected]
