The Experience of Indonesian Men Living with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus and Erectile Dysfunction: A Semi-structured Interview Study

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) in men living with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in Indonesia is rarely discussed. This study explored the lived experiences of young- to middle-aged Indonesian men living with T2DM and ED to identify the related healthcare support they received from their local public health center. Methods: A qualitative-descriptive approach was used to elicit the experiences of twelve men with T2DM who were recruited from a public health center in Surabaya. Using guiding questions, individual interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, translated to English and then thematically analyzed. Results: Most men in this study experienced ED, with participants’ responses to ED ranging from acceptance to feeling afraid to acknowledge ED to their wife or displaying anger towards their wife. Despite reporting they needed information about ED related to T2DM, participants reported an absence of discussion about ED with health professionals during regular T2DM appointments. Men reported not raising the issue themselves as they felt ashamed or embarrassed. Some men engaged in high-risk self-management behaviors, such as using off-street medications to try and fix their ED while others sought other forms of intimacy with their wife. Conclusion: This study’s findings present previously unreported healthcare experiences of Indonesian men with T2DM and ED. Although routinely visiting healthcare professionals in public health settings for T2DM management, the men in this study did not receive assessment or healthcare around ED. The men would have appreciated the opportunity to discuss their ED and explore treatment options. Future studies are recommended to explore how men with T2DM and ED, and their wives, can be supported by healthcare professionals to improve health and wellbeing outcomes.