The prevalence of erectile dysfunction
Statistics show that as many as two in three males over the age of 45 may experience erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence [1]. More than one in every 10 males struggle with achieving or maintaining erections [2].
Despite the stereotype of men always being ready for sexual activity, ED can lead to feelings of shame, embarrassment, frustration and also depression.
Several male celebrities have spoken out about their experiences with ED, helping to break the stigma and encourage more open discussions about this issue.
Michael Douglas
The Basic Instinct star has admitted to using treatment to help satisfy his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones who is 25 years younger than him.
“God bless her that she likes older guys. And some wonderful enhancements have happened in the last few years that can make us all feel younger,” he said in an interview [3] to AARP magazine.
Matthew Perry
The late Friends star has been open about his issues with alcoholism and addiction.
In his memoir Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing, Matthew got candid about his dwindling sex drive in his teens due to heavy drinking and his initial struggles with sexual performance.
“Sex sounded fun, but it was not in my arsenal,” he said, before revealing it wasn’t until he met his ex-girlfriend Tricia Fisher that he realised he could only last for a short period of time.
“Sure enough… sheer glory for two whole minutes.”
Tom Jones
Tom Jones has never been shy when it comes to being a sex bomb and has been open about using medication to help him maintain sexual activity even at the age of 80, stating,
“A little help here and it is alright,” he said in a guest appearance on the WTF podcast [4]. “There is no shame in that at 80. You gotta do what you gotta do.”
Danny Trejo
Machete actor Danny Trejo called out men who lie about suffering from ED in an interview with The Sun in 2019, saying:
“Every man on earth has experienced this, and if you say no, you’re lying and I’m calling you a liar,” he scoffed.
“It’s like macho means you can always get it up but I don’t care who you are. You can be 25-years-old and if you’re tired, you’ve been working all night, it’s late – sometimes it’s not going to happen.
Pelé: A Soccer Legend Breaking the Silence on ED
While most people remember Pelé as the "King of Soccer," fewer know that he was also a trailblazer in the fight to break the stigma surrounding erectile dysfunction (ED).
The Brazilian soccer legend, who passed away at age 82 in 2022, became one of the first prominent figures to publicly address ED.
"As men, we don't talk too much about our problems. I thought this was cultural, but it is not. This problem of ED is universal. It doesn't matter about the culture."
"If men suffered, they suffered in silence," Pelé says in the advertisement. "Not anymore…Talk to your doctor. I would."
Pelé's advocacy played a significant role in normalising conversations about ED, helping millions of men feel less isolated and more empowered to seek treatment. His involvement demonstrated that ED is a common issue that can affect men of all ages, including some of the world's greatest athletes.
