Boston Scientific launches #Choosetoknow campaign to raise awareness on health issues

Boston Scientific, a global medical technology leader, today announced the launch of a new online resource www.menshealthtreatments.co.in, a site designed to help men and their partners with information about erectile dysfunction. The site is part of the #ChooseToKnow campaign in India, which is targeted towards raising awareness among men and women on lifestyle diseases like sudden cardiac arrest, severe asthma, Parkinson’s disease, pancreatico biliary disorders and other health issues.

The campaign was launched with a panel discussion on men’s sexual health issues, needs and therapies.  The panel discussion was attended by Dr. Ajit Saxena, Senior Consultant, Robotic Surgery, Urology & Andrology, Dr. Chandar Mohan Batra, Senior Consultant, Endocrinology and Dr. Shailesh Jha, Associate Consultant, Psychiatry in Gurgaon.  

During the discussion, leading experts highlighted that male sexual dysfunction can be stressful for partners as well as patients and there is need for more awareness about erectile dysfunction. 

Speaking at the panel discussion Dr. Ajit Saxena, a senior consultant for Robotic Surgery, Urology, & Andrology, Indraprastha Apollo, New Delhi said, “In India, very few men discuss issues that relate to urinary and sexual problems and even if they do, they do not know the right health consultant to go to. This is especially true for people with sexual dysfunction.” Dr. Saxena emphasized that these days there are several treatment options that can address almost all cases of sexual dysfunction. “The problem is awareness of this fact is negligible in our society. A whole gamut of treatment is available from medicines to implants. Therefore, there is a dire need for such campaigns to raise awareness of men’s health issues to help them identify the signs and symptoms, and seek the right professional help so that they can get proper treatment at the right time. Often, men seek solutions from non-professionals and suffer the consequences. Boston Scientific is to be complimented for their vision in addressing this long-felt need of the Indian society.”

“Men with diabetes tend to develop erectile dysfunction 10 to 15 years earlier than men without diabetes⁴. Other primary causes of erectile dysfunction include lifestyle problems like smoking, drinking alcohol, being overweight, taking too little exercise or limited exercise”, says Dr. Chandar Mohan Batra, senior consultant of Endocrinology, Indraprastha Apollo, New Delhi.

Dr. Shailesh Jha, associate consultant of Psychiatry, Indraprastha Apollo, Saarthak Mental Health Services, New Delhi said, “Awareness and acceptance of sexual health problems among Indians is extremely low. This may be because of the societal constructs of masculinity and the disregard of men being sexually active after a certain age. Other factors like underlying depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders also contribute to sexual dysfunction. An open discussion about health issues like erectile dysfunction is a taboo amongst partners of many patients and it is very important that patients and their partners talk about their health concerns that they may be facing or undergoing. Partners of patients should not be embarrassed by the fact that they are dissatisfied with the frequency or quality of sex.
All these factors deter men from seeking the right professional help, investigations and treatments. The #ChooseToKnow campaign will help break some of the barriers men face towards seeking the right treatment.” 

The #ChooseToKnow campaign is a year-long campaign sponsored by Boston Scientific that will build awareness around men’s health issues and other lifestyle diseases in India.