Online Searches for Erectile Dysfunction Reveal Regional and Educational Disparities in the U.S.

Online search trends may offer new clues into how Americans engage with sensitive health conditions like erectile dysfunction (ED). A recent study published in the Société Internationale d’Urologie Journal analyzed Google search data across U.S. states from 2018 to 2024, uncovering how demographic and socioeconomic factors influence public interest in ED.

Researchers from the University of California Irvine and Tulane University used Google Trends data to track search activity for ED and related terms, comparing results against state-level variables such as population age, income, education levels, and urologist availability. Their analysis revealed consistent geographic patterns—and raised questions about how access to care and health literacy intersect with digital behavior.

Who Is Searching—and Where?

The study found that ED-related search interest was highest in states like Mississippi, West Virginia, and Alabama. In contrast, New Hampshire, Utah, and Hawaii showed the lowest search volumes. The Southeast and Northeast regions overall exhibited the greatest online activity related to ED, while the western U.S. demonstrated comparatively lower interest.

Search volume remained relatively stable over the six-year span, though noticeable peaks were seen during the COVID-19 pandemic—particularly in late 2020 and early 2021. Since mid-2023, however, there has been a gradual decline in search interest.

Key Correlations: Age and Education Matter

Several demographic patterns emerged from the data:

• Older populations correlated with higher search volumes (r = 0.4332, p = 0.001676), suggesting that age remains a strong predictor of ED interest online.

• States with lower rates of college-level education had higher ED search activity (r = -0.482, p = 0.000394).

• Household income and urologist density showed no significant relationship with search trends.

These findings suggest that public engagement with ED content online may reflect more than just prevalence—it could also signal unmet health information needs in certain regions, particularly among older and less formally educated populations.

Urban-Rural Divide and Access Gaps

The study also explored differences between urban and rural areas. While urban areas showed a moderate correlation with ED searches, rural regions demonstrated a stronger association (r = 0.766, p = 0.000088). Yet, only 10% of U.S. urologists currently practice in rural areas, according to the authors.

This mismatch between need and provider availability highlights the potential value of targeted solutions—such as expanding telemedicine access or incentivizing specialists to serve rural populations.

Rethinking Digital Health Behavior

Although income levels did not significantly affect ED search frequency, the authors suggest this may be linked to a broader issue of health education and awareness. Individuals with higher incomes may already be accessing care through traditional means, while those with fewer resources or lower digital literacy may not search online at all.

The study also notes that cultural factors—such as stigma around men’s sexual health—could influence whether individuals seek information digitally or avoid the topic altogether. As a result, the authors recommend that public health campaigns address these barriers and promote awareness in underserved communities.

A Tool for Understanding Gaps in Care

Rather than signaling direct prevalence of disease, the authors suggest that search data can serve as a lens into regional disparities in awareness, education, and access. By identifying patterns in online behavior, stakeholders may better understand where interventions—like digital outreach, health education, or expanded service availability—are most needed.

While Google Trends data has limitations, such as the lack of exact search numbers or information from other platforms, it remains a useful tool for tracking public interest over time.

Source

Ahmed, Zaid, Muhammed A. Moukhtar Hammad, Jake Miller, Elia Abou Chawareb, Lawrence C. Jenkins, and Faysal A. Yafi. “Epidemiological Insights into Erectile Dysfunction in the United States: A Google Trends Analysis.” Société Internationale d’Urologie Journal 6, no. 2 (2025): 31. https://doi.org/10.3390/siuj6020031.