A population-based survey of self-reported and IIEF-defined erectile dysfunction among adult men in the United States in 2021

This study corroborates established knowledge that ED prevalence increases with age, is strongly associated with comorbidities, and is influenced by socioeconomic factors. Importantly, our findings reveal a notable discrepancy between IIEF-5-defined ED and self-reported symptoms, highlighting a critical public health consideration: ED often serves as an early warning sign for more serious underlying health conditions. This underscores the importance of improved screening and awareness in clinical practice.