Pat Lawson-Black takes a long, hard look at the little blue wonder pill.
Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge. Welcome to the world of Viagra, where men are men, and all the women are smiling.
Viagra has been the catalyst for more risque jokes than a comedian’s mother-in-law, but we promise we won’t repeat a single one of them here. Promise! So read on as we take a serious look at Viagra, the wonder drug for the impotent, aimed at those gentlemen suffering from what is termed 'erectile dysfunction’.
Let’s begin with what Viagra is NOT! It’s not a hormone, nor is it an aphrodisiac. It can’t protect you or your partner from sexually transmitted diseases, or indeed, from the HIV virus that causes AIDS. And whilst it is a treatment for what we’ll call ED (erectile dysfunction) it is not a cure for it.
What it can do, however, is help men of any age, once they get sexually excited, to achieve and maintain an erection. So, on that premise alone, Viagra is here to stay.
Where did it come from? How does it work?
The drug was originally developed as a heart medication to improve blood flow by relaxing the arteries, but along the way, it was found the medication was equally effective in increasing blood flow to the male genitals. Increased blood flow will allow men, who in the past were diagnosed as sexually dysfunctional or impotent, to perform normally for several hours after taking it. It’s that simple. Studies show that Viagra helps impotence in about 70% of cases – not bad odds at all.
The manufacturer of Viagra, Pfizer Inc., recommends that men take Viagra about one hour before engaging in sexual activity. The drug helps them get an erection, if they are sexually aroused, in about 30 minutes. It lasts up to four hours, according to the company.
With the success of Viagra, it is not surprising that there are several more drug options designed to conquer ED currently being tested for introduction in the year 2002. Based on the original Viagra, most offer improvements such as a longer-lasting erection, fewer side-effects, or a faster reaction. Urologists are positive about a new medication that will allow a man with ED to engage in intercourse within a 24 hour period, believing that this would allow a couple to regain some spontaneity in their sexual relationship.
The alternatives
So what are the alternatives to this little blue pill? As well as the needle style of treatment (see insert), there are the ancient or Eastern 'remedies’, from ginseng to the ubiquitous tiger balm. Any well travelled Aussie male has stories of being accosted on the streets of Delhi or Singapore by super-salesmen and shady dealers pressing capsules of so-called aphrodisiacs into their hands – everything from crushed tiger bone to monkey glands, whale foetuses or the dried and sometimes grated penises of unfortunate sea-lions or wolves.
These happy tourists often make the purchase, because impotence is more common than you imagine, particularly in middle aged or elderly men. Just think: the discovery of Viagra has probably saved entire species of wild animals - and we’re not just referring to the human ones!
"The law of unintended consequences works in mysterious ways," says leading American environmentalist, Peter Reshetniak, president of the Raptor Education Foundation. "But all of us concerned about animal sacrifices to human delusions should send our thanks to the Pfizer company."
Other treatments for impotence can often be painful or embarrassing, such as penile implants (ouch!) and other similar procedures. Even suppositories have been brought into play as a treatment for ED. How much easier it is to pop a pill.
Cause and Effect
Likely causes of ED include spinal injuries, diabetes, cardiovascular problems, smoking and high blood pressure, whilst Viagra’s possible side-effects, according to Pfizer, can include headaches, a flushing of the face, stuffy nose, urinary tract infection, upset stomach and diarrhea. In some men, there can be temporary visual changes to blue/green colours or an increased sensitivity to light. Most of these side effects are mild, and do not last for an extended length of time. However, this family of drugs may also be dangerous for men with heart problems.
Sex therapists suggest that there are often psychological components to sexual problems as well as physical ones. Work on banishing stress and anxiety, alleviating conflicts with your partner, and resolving performance fears before you race off to your GP.
Your doctor will caution you that Viagra is not for everyone. And because healthwise, everyone is so different, you should take the time to have a thorough medical check-up prior to taking the drug. Several other medications are known to interact with Viagra, so be sure to take along a list of all preparations and treatments you are currently using, prescription or not, when you head off to the surgery. And ask your GP for an after-hours number – in case of accidental overdose!
Always keep your stock of Viagra in its original container, and store it high up in a locked cabinet, out of the reach of curious grandchildren. However, like our Boulevadier, you might like to pop a single blue pill into your wallet for easy access – just in case.
Reflections of a Boulevardier, aged 63
Up until I was 60 years of age, the medical profession lied to me. I was told that the inability to achieve an erection was "only in the mind". They insisted it had nothing to do with prostate trouble, mental stress, diabetes, or the aging process. As a sufferer from all of the above, my sexual activity was rapidly dwindling.
But then came Viagra. And hope. There were only a few remaining hurdles to leap over, the first of which was:
The Doctor
I mused on this for quite some time before I made an appointment - how should I approach this subject with the family GP, a strapping 40-year old and an obvious tried and true performer in the sexual stakes. (You could tell by the ties he wore.)
We talked about my ingrown toenail, the rash on my leg, my weight problem and a few other diversionary ailments before, with a nervous cough, I bravely broached the subject. He didn’t flinch. I was given a script for five doses of Viagra with the advice, "To cut the cost - $77 for 4 tablets - only take half at a time."
The second hurdle – The Pharmacist
Bearing this in mind, I sought out a new pharmacist (not the family one) and passed the prescription over amongst two others, the prescriptions for my cough, and my leg ointment.
On my return I was greeted with a loud, "Oh, you’re the one for the Viagra," which immediately gained the attention of three matrons, one woman with a child, two sniggering youths, and a large dog that was tied up outside the door. Even he turned his head! I collected my package and scurried out the door.
Third hurdle – The Decision!
Having paid my $77, then came the big Viagra decision. I liken it to crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge – to an interstate motorist on holiday, there are similarities. Once you’ve made a decision to select a lane on the famous bridge, you have to stick with it. Try changing lanes mid-crossing, and there’s mayhem.
Viagra needs 30 minutes to take effect. Now the question is, does one take the Viagra 30 minutes before, and hope that the time and partner are right? Or does one make the arrangement with the partner first, then delay the action for 30 minutes.
I am inclined to go with the first procedure. To date, I should stress, I have achieved only a 50% success rate.
Hurdle Number Four - Personal Security
These triangular blue pills come in a pack of four. It seemed to me that carrying four around would be too optimistic. However, when separating them at one stage, I accidentally dropped one on the floor and it disappeared - to the immediate attention of my Jack Russell terrier, whom I thought was casting a loving eye in my direction until I eventually recovered the pill from under the sofa. This is something to be taken into account, particularly if you own a Doberman or an Alsatian dog.
Success! And a summary…
I found gratification with Viagra. An instant return to former star quality is achievable. But the feature does not run indefinitely. All in all, and taking into account the above hurdles, it is well worth a try.
My view is, if you can’t get an erection like you used to, for whatever reason, you do something about it.
There’s no shame or embarrassment at all. It’s just like taking an aspirin.
Remember, the alternative to Viagra is sticking a needle in your penis. The solution of early impotence clinics was to inject the penis with some chemical, and occasionally over-eager self-administrators ended up in hospital until the erection subsided, sometimes two or three days later. Understandably, a lot of men are wary of this solution.
For me, Viagra has worked out at about $20 a pop – and I’d say it’s worth every bit of it.
As told to Your Retirement Your Life by FB, a Christian gentleman.
