Tonight Five broadcasts a documentary called Viagra: Ten Years on the Rise, and I'm excited about seeing it: not only because I have a brief cameo appearance, but because I believe that the time has come for a reflective debate about the little blue pill.
The Daily Mail points out that Viagra has changed the lives of millions of men, but asks what the cost to women has been.
Men are almost universally loving it, and Pfizer is making millions. But there is no equivalent wonder pill for women, and whether Viagra use has caused equal delight among the often middle-aged female partners of the men taking it is another matter.
Indeed, many of them are battling with the mood swings and low libido induced by menopause, just as their husbands are experiencing sexual rejuvenation.
Viagra is also being blamed for the rise the rate of sexually transmitted diseases among older people, as husbands pop pills to fuel their sexual adventures elsewhere. But I think that is down to the fact that the older demographic wasn't schooled in an era of Aids awareness, so we can't lay all of the blame on Viagra.
On the whole a drug that helps men get their sex lives back has to be a good thing. But it's a shame that couples are splitting up over sex, and research needs to be done in the area of women's sexual health: just because a man shows up with an erection doesn't mean that he can automatically assume that his partner is getting what she needs!
Isn't it amazing that doctors will happily prescribe Viagra for their middle aged male patients whilst at the same time lecturing their menopausal femal patients that they should accept the physical deterioration of ageing as being inevitable even when HRT will in many cases dramatically improve our quality of life.
Posted by: sally marshall | Wednesday, 21 May 2008 at 01:02 PM
Just to let men know out there who use those little blue pills, it puts women off. No woman would settle for an old raggedy man who can't get it up on his own. So a bit of advice--don't brag about being on Viagra, sneak it in your gob in the bathroom, where no one can watch such a pathetic act.
Sally, men can never accept becoming old, and they are always first to laugh at older women who dress in younger looking clothes. What is funny, a 60 year old man thinks younger women still 'dig' him.
Posted by: Ida | Wednesday, 21 May 2008 at 01:56 PM
Sally, I'm sorry, but I don't think it's amazing at all, because HRT is a controversial treatment which has divided medical opinion over cancer risks. Although the broader debate about Viagra has caused controversy in society, medical opinion seems quite united in seeing the only dangers as being for men at risk of heart disease.
Posted by: Segun | Wednesday, 21 May 2008 at 06:43 PM
Ida - but women do 'dig' a 60 year old man - who's rich RICH RICH and/or famous and/or has power. ('dig'? Are you austin powers deary?). It's looks for women, money/power for men. Or as one may ask: 'I wonder what attracked heather mills to the 66 year old multi millionaire world famous ex-beatle paul mcborn-every-minute'. Any woman who mocks a man about his sexual looks or performance doesn't deserve sh*gging anyway - 60 year old men can get some gorgeous girls for very reasonable rates these days, so why put up with rude and selfish women like that? Know thy price. My advice: don't aim too high or you'll end upo alone, like so many women these days who have hugely inflated ideas of their value.
Posted by: dwixi | Wednesday, 21 May 2008 at 08:47 PM
Ida - you seem to automatically conclude that viagra is used by old me to shag young women, I wonder where that comes from, you're obviously incredibly bitter about something relating to 'raggedy old men who can't get it up on their own'. Have you been unceremoniously dumped for a younger, firmer, randier woman?
It seems to me that the majority of prescribed viagra will be going to men in long term relationships who might have suffered for years with erectile issues.
Posted by: WandringSoul | Thursday, 22 May 2008 at 12:03 PM
Yes, Sally, men can never accept becoming old, and they are always first to laugh at older women who dress in younger looking clothes.
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