Men's Sexual Health Problems in Australia: Why So Few Men Get Help

Around two in three Australian men report at least one sexual difficulty lasting three months or more, yet fewer than one in five seek any help for it Mengesha et al., 2025. These problems are common, well studied and usually manageable once a doctor works out what is driving them. This guide covers what the research actually shows, why so many men keep quiet, and what getting help involves.

How common are sexual health problems in Australian men?

More common than most men realise. Ten to Men, Australia's national longitudinal study of male health, found that 64.7 per cent of men reported at least one sexual difficulty in 2022. When the study began in 2013-14 the figure was 54.1 per cent, so the trend is rising Mengesha et al., 2025.

Across the study, the most frequently reported difficulties were:

• Premature ejaculation, reported by 36 to 41 per cent of men
• Lack of interest in sex, reported by 18 to 25 per cent
• Trouble getting or keeping an erection, reported by 14 to 25 per cent

Erection problems climb with age. Healthdirect reports that more than 1 in 10 Australian males experience erectile dysfunction Healthdirect, 2025. Healthy Male puts the figure at up to 10 per cent of men under 40 and more than half of men over 50 Healthy Male, accessed 2026.

So if something has changed for you, you are not an outlier. You are in the majority.

Why so few men get help

Only 17.6 per cent of Australian men with a sexual difficulty sought help in 2022. That number barely moved across the decade the study ran, even as the difficulties themselves became more common Mengesha et al., 2025.

The researchers point to embarrassment, shame and stigma as the main barriers, with cost also playing a part. When men did reach out, the most common port of call was a GP, followed by the internet and then family or friends.

None of this is a personal failing. Most men were never shown how to raise these topics with anyone, let alone a doctor. The result is a wide gap between how many men have a treatable condition and how many do something about it. Our guide to breaking the stigma around erectile problems looks at this in more detail.

What counts as a sexual health problem?

Healthdirect groups male sexual problems into a handful of categories Healthdirect, accessed 2026:

• Erectile dysfunction: difficulty getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sex
• Premature ejaculation: regularly ejaculating sooner than you or your partner would like
• Delayed ejaculation and dry orgasm
• Loss of libido: a persistent drop in interest in sex
• Priapism: a prolonged erection that needs urgent medical care
• Sexually transmitted infections

Occasional issues are normal. Nearly every man has an off night at some point, often tied to fatigue, alcohol or stress. A pattern that persists for around three months is the usual marker that it is worth a conversation with a doctor.

Why persistent symptoms deserve a medical check

This is the part that gets missed when no one talks. Erection problems are sometimes an early signal of something else going on. Healthy Male notes that erectile dysfunction is often a sign of cardiovascular disease, and that men with it carry a higher than normal risk of coronary heart disease and stroke Healthy Male, accessed 2026.

Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, sleep disorders, low testosterone and some medicines can all contribute Healthdirect, 2025. So can psychological factors such as stress, performance anxiety and depression. A proper assessment looks at the whole picture, which is why a persistent change is a reason to book a check-up rather than something to wait out.

If low mood or anxiety is part of what you are dealing with, raise that with your GP or a psychologist as well. Sexual health and mental health often overlap, and both respond better to early attention.

What treatment actually involves

There is no single fix, and any clinic promising one should make you cautious. What happens after an assessment depends on the cause. Options a doctor may discuss include:

• Lifestyle changes. Regular exercise, weight management, better sleep, less alcohol and quitting smoking all support erectile function Healthy Male, accessed 2026
• Psychological support, including counselling for performance anxiety or relationship strain
• Prescription treatments, where a doctor judges them clinically appropriate for the individual

Menova's doctors prescribe only where clinically appropriate, after reviewing your health history. Not everyone is eligible for every treatment, and responses vary between individuals. That is why the process starts with a consultation rather than a product.

You can read more about how we approach erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and hormone restoration.

Where telehealth fits

For many men, the biggest hurdle is the waiting room. A telehealth consultation happens by phone or video from wherever you are, which removes much of the awkwardness that stops men booking in the first place.

Telehealth works best alongside your regular GP, not instead of them. Your GP holds your full medical history and remains the right person for ongoing care, so keep them informed about anything you start. Our guide to telehealth versus traditional clinic visits covers how the two work together.

Taking the first step

If a problem has persisted for three months or more, talk to a doctor. That can be your regular GP, or you can start with Menova's confidential online assessment. The assessment is a screening tool that may help identify what is going on. A registered doctor then reviews your answers in a private consultation and determines whether treatment is suitable for you.

Frequently asked questions

How common are sexual health problems in Australian men?

Very common. The national Ten to Men study found 64.7 per cent of Australian men reported at least one sexual difficulty in 2022, up from 54.1 per cent in 2013-14. Premature ejaculation, low sexual interest and erection difficulties were the most frequently reported problems.

How common is erectile dysfunction in Australia?

Healthdirect reports that more than 1 in 10 Australian males experience erectile dysfunction. Prevalence rises sharply with age. Up to 10 per cent of men under 40 are affected, and more than half of men over 50 have some form of erectile difficulty.

Why don't men seek help for sexual problems?

Research points to embarrassment, shame and stigma, along with cost. Only 17.6 per cent of Australian men with a sexual difficulty sought help in 2022. Those who did most often spoke to a GP, which remains the recommended first step for persistent symptoms.

Can erectile dysfunction be a sign of something more serious?

Sometimes, yes. Erectile dysfunction is often an early sign of cardiovascular disease, and it is also linked with diabetes, high blood pressure and low testosterone. A persistent change is worth a medical check even if you are not ready to discuss treatment.

Can sexual health problems be treated?

Most are manageable once the cause is identified. Depending on the assessment, a doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, psychological support or prescription treatment where clinically appropriate. Responses vary between individuals, so any plan is tailored after a consultation rather than offered off the shelf.

Do I need to see a doctor in person?

Not always. Many sexual health concerns can be assessed by phone or video consultation with a registered doctor. Some situations still call for a physical examination or blood tests, which your doctor will arrange if needed. Keep your regular GP informed either way.

What happens after Menova's online assessment?

The assessment screens your symptoms and health history. It may help identify what is going on, but it is not a diagnosis. A registered doctor reviews your answers in a private consultation, and treatment is only prescribed where the doctor considers it clinically appropriate for you.

References

• Mengesha, Z., Alem, A.Z., Gebremedhin, T.A. and Hawkey, A.J. (2025). Help-Seeking for Sexual Difficulties Among Australian Men: Analysis of the Ten to Men Longitudinal Study. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 54(7). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12457510/
• Healthdirect (2025). Erectile dysfunction. Reviewed February 2025. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/erectile-dysfunction
• Healthdirect. Male sexual problems. Accessed July 2026. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/male-sexual-problems
• Healthy Male. Erectile dysfunction. Accessed July 2026. https://www.healthymale.org.au/mens-health/erectile-dysfunction