American Medical Systems Launches STEP Patient Education Program in Europe

MINNETONKA, Minn., Jan. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- American Medical Systems® (AMS) (Nasdaq: AMMD), a leading provider of world-class devices and therapies for male and female pelvic health, today announced the launch of its Solutions to Educate Patients Program (STEP) in Europe. The program is designed to help healthcare providers better educate patients and the community about solutions for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) and male stress urinary incontinence (SUI). AMS is the first company in Europe to launch such a program and provide these types of educational materials to patients suffering from ED and SUI.

The STEP toolkit provides a comprehensive, easy-to-use system that empowers healthcare providers with a wide range of in-office educational materials, patient outreach collateral, seminars and web resources to help guide and inspire men who suffer with ED and SUI to take action to restore their quality of life.

"Millions of men struggle every day with troublesome ED and incontinence symptoms that prevent them from fully enjoying time with their partners, family and friends," said Whitney Erickson, vice president and general manager for Men's Health at AMS. "Today's treatment options mean there's no reason anyone should suffer in silence. The tools provided in the STEP program can help men overcome feelings of embarrassment about their symptoms, empower them with information about the wide range of options available and help them find one that's right for their needs."

The STEP program puts all of the tools and templates hospitals need right at their fingertips, including:

• Office-based patient education material that can be used in the office, where patients feel most comfortable discussing these sensitive issues. ED and SUI brochures and posters provide insight into the causes and treatment options that can encourage men to speak up about their symptoms and inquire about treatment.
• Patient outreach materials that can help build awareness of ED and SUI options and encourage men to make an appointment with their physician to discuss their symptoms. A range of templates for creating customized direct mail campaigns, newsletters and billing inserts are available.
• Men's health seminars are one of the most effective ways to educate men and their partners about ED and SUI solutions. The AMS STEP program makes it easy to host a seminar with a simple, integrated approach including materials and guidance for planning an event—or a series of events.
• Web resources enable tech-savvy patients to access information about ED and SUI solutions from the comfort and privacy of their own home. The STEP program allows hospitals to enhance their own website with trusted information from AMS about treatment options.
• Health month campaigns provide an opportunity to increase overall awareness of ED, SUI and other men's health-related issues, as well as the physician's expertise in these areas. The STEP program includes a number of themed campaigns created by AMS that can be tied in with special health awareness opportunities throughout the year.

About American Medical Systems:

American Medical Systems, headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, is a diversified supplier of medical devices and procedures to cure incontinence, erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), pelvic floor prolapse and other pelvic disorders in men and women. These disorders can significantly diminish one's quality of life and profoundly affect social relationships. In recent years, the number of people seeking treatment has increased markedly as a result of longer lives, higher-quality-of-life expectations and greater awareness of new treatment alternatives. American Medical Systems' products reduce or eliminate the incapacitating effects of these diseases, often through minimally invasive therapies. The Company's products were used to treat approximately 335,000 patients in 2009.

More information about the Company and its products can be found at its website www.AmericanMedicalSystems.com and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2009 and its other SEC filings.

SOURCE American Medical Systems