Erectile dysfunction is one of those conditions that can draw cruel humour from some, but is no laughing matter for sufferers. But over the last 25 years, the use of Viagra has been a huge game changer for huge numbers of men and their partners across the world.
Even so, the problem of erectile dysfunction has not gone away and many will feel a sense of stigma about seeking help. What we can do in our pharmacy is provide your prescribed medication while treating you with dignity and discretion. You can believe us when we have seen it all, concerning all manner of medical issues people might feel embarrassed about.
Hopefully, more men here in Scotland will follow the lead of their English counterparts, who, it appears, have been seeking more help. This is certainly one of the most likely conclusions to be drawn from new data provided by the NHS Business Services Authority, which has revealed a sharp rise in erectile dysfunction drug prescriptions.
These show that 4,574,010 prescriptions were issued in England last year, the highest figure on record.
Perhaps not surprisingly, this sort of story attracted the most attention from the tabloids, with the Sun reporting comments by TV pharmacist Thorrun Govind, who said: “Twenty years ago men wouldn’t have discussed erectile dysfunction.”
She added: “When Viagra first came out it was a bit sensational but, now there are cheaper alternatives, it is more accessible and there is less stigma.”
Of course, it doesn’t matter what paper you read (if any at all) when it comes to erectile dysfunction. Ultimately, for all the ‘nudge nudge, wink wink’ attitudes of those who consider this (or sex generally) a matter of smut or humour, it is, ultimately, an important part of life. None of us would be here without it, for starters.
Men who suffer from erectile dysfunction must be brave enough to see medical experts, who will be only too willing to help. It is not just a matter of having a bit of fun behind closed doors; it can save and grow marriages, improve mental health and, in some cases, enable couples to fulfil their ambitions of becoming parents.
Seeking help can also be crucial in finding out the root causes of erectile dysfunction. In some cases, this can be down to health factors that you should deal with in their own right, such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, or smoking.
Indeed, one study in the US has indicated that regular exercise like running can help tackle erectile dysfunction. This would make some sense, since such exercise will help improve fitness, easing off obesity and improving cardiovascular health, thus directly helping with causal factors associated with erectile dysfunction.
Acknowledging the problem may not be easy, but when there is the possibility of getting medication that can help tackle the issue in the bedroom and a chance to deal with wider medical issues that could have more far-reaching consequences, it is important to be brave and seek help.
We will offer sympathy, professionalism and a practical approach every step of the way, helping you to tackle one of the most challenging issues any man can face.