Melbourne, Dec 22: A survey has found that more than a quarter of Australian men have problems maintaining an erection.

Erectile dysfunction is the most prevalent disorder in older men, and it is also relatively common among men in their 20s.

Most of the young men suffer in silence and do not consult a doctor or other health workers to look for the disorder’s treatment such as Viagra.

In a survey, led by Kew-Kim Chew from WA’s (Western Australia) Keogh Institute of Medical Research Researchers, 1500 men aged 20 or older who were randomly selected from the electoral roll were reviewed.

The analysis found that 25.1 per cent suffered erectile dysfunction and 8.5 per cent suffered the condition severely.

Researchers said that it was very much possible that the findings applied nationwide.

Despite most sufferers having experienced the condition for more than one year, only 14.1 per cent said that they had received any treatment.

"Erectile dysfunction is highly prevalent in WA, under-diagnosed and grossly under treated, " News.com.au quoted the researchers, as saying.

"It is likely that these estimated prevalences are applicable nationwide.

"Stresses related to early adulthood, budding relationships and new responsibilities associated with entering the workforce and commencing independent living are possible contributory factors, " the researchers added.

The study is published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine. (ANI)