A few years back doctors were in the warning mode saying that, unless the government issues guidelines on the prescription of impotence wonder drug Viagra, it will lead to "sex by postcode".
None of these fears have come true. In fact the launch of Viagra by Pfizer in 1998 was the best possible thing to happen to men with sexual dysfunction. It unleashed the second sexual revolution and has enhanced the quality of relationships of men and their partners all over the world.
For long, older men had to either suffer in silence or make do with painful and costly alternatives such as penile injections( imagine the horror of getting injected on the penis ) and penile pumps. There was a certain taboo associated with even talking about erectile dysfunction as it would mean an inadequacy of manhood. All this played in the mind of men with impotence. Very often this would lead to depression, un-necessary stress and a high degree of relationship failure. Most women are unable to come to terms with the reasons for their partners having this condition. Very often it hits their level of confidence as they would incorrectly perceive themselves as lacking beauty and feel very unattractive. All this contributed to a complete failure of the relationship. Very often divorces resulted because of the lack of proper knowledge about erectile dysfunction, its causes and how one can deal with it effectively with Viagra.
Impotence itself can be of two types –
1) Erectile Dysfunction – which occurs because poor blood supply to the penis, which affects the ability of the penis to get engorged with blood. Other causes could also be lack of relaxation of the smooth muscles present in the penis. 80% of all impotence is because of this condition. It is relatively easier to treat today.
2) Impotence due to psychological causes such as stress, depression, performance anxiety and psychiatric problems. 20% of all impotence occurs due to these causes. It is very difficult to treat.
All over the world 190 million men today suffer from erectile dysfunction. This number is expected to touch 225 million in the year 2010. Some doctors say as many as one in 10 British men may suffer from impotence, although others say the number is more likely to be around one in six. The causes are not difficult to see. Complete lack of physical exercise, gluttony, lack of a proper diet especially food rich in fats and carbohydrates will eventually lead to improper functioning of the blood vessels that carry blood to the penis. These blood vessels are clogged with fat. They are unable to dilate (expand) properly. All this leads to the penis, despite adequate sexual stimulation, not getting the required amount of blood for an erection and not being able to hold the amount of blood received because of deficiency of certain vital enzymes such as cGMP(cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate) and NO(Nitric Oxide).
So how does Viagra help. Viagra contains Sildenafil Citrate, a very powerful drug responsible for inhibiting a crucial enzyme called PDE-5(Phosphodiasterase-5). This enzyme degrades a very important enzyme called cGMP. The higher the levels of cGMP, the better. This cGMP through a series of reactions is responsible for the production of NO, which itself is an important vasodilator. It dilates the blood vessels that supply blood to the penis and causes relaxation of the smooth muscles cells in the penis. The penis enlarges and gets engorged with blood. Thus an erection takes place.
The biggest advantage of Viagra is that it acts very fast – within 15 minutes and can last for as long as 4 hours. It also has minimal side-effects and if taken in the right dose can greatly enhance the sexual performance of any male with erectile dysfunction.
Years back, Matlock GP Dr Peter Holden had warned at the British Medical Association's annual conference in Cardiff that, if Viagra is made available on the NHS, it would lead to regional variations in its availability. Dr Holden had said that some GPs would not be able to afford to prescribe the drug which, at around £120 for 30 tablets, was so expensive it could potentially quadruple the drugs bill.
He wanted guidelines on which men should get the drug and how much of the cost the government is prepared to fund. According to Dr Holden Viagra's effectiveness should be judged on whether it reduces hospital admissions, GP visits and other management costs. At that time Viagra was only available from selected doctors and patients had to pay for it. The doctors would take responsibility for any health problems which could develop as a result of taking the drug.
Today Viagra is much cheaper then earlier. In fact cheap Viagra can be easily brought over the internet. One just has to go to the Viagra Online website. Fill a short form giving details of the condition and an online prescription is generated. This online prescription is adequate to buy Viagra online. Besides the cost, the other advantage of buying Viagra online is the complete privacy that it gives any person.
Over time Viagra has met most of the challenges put before it. It has ensured quality sexual health at lower cost for millions of men suffering from erectile dysfunction. It has cut down on rates of depression and stress in older men. It has lowered hospital admissions, cut GP visits and made men more aware of the fact that they just don’t have a life after retirement, they have a sex life.
Alfred Peck is an associated author to the website http://www.viagrapunch.com an Online Prescriptions Portal is committed to provide visitors with complete information on weight loss, men's health, and sexual health. Your feedback & comments will be highly appreciated at Alfredpeck@gmail.com
