Shifting social mores and changing attitudes towards gender and sexuality have resulted in a brand new era in the world of ED medication. Gone are the days when doctors only prescribed treatment to men. Now, drugs such as sildenafil citrate (Viagra) can help women who want to engage in sexual activity but don’t necessarily want to become pregnant. Some women prefer this pill to other ED treatments because it allows them to engage in sexual activity while also avoiding the side effects that other medications can cause.
The Rise In Acceptance And Use Of Viagra For Women
The first drug specifically designed for women’s sexual health was actually developed in the 1950s and was called “Dienohexylnitryl-nadine.” That’s a mouthful, but the generic form of the medication is referred to as “nitro-nadine” or “nadine” for short.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug for use in women in 1960 and it started being sold in drugstores the following year. The original instructions suggested that the drug be taken approximately 60 minutes before sexual activity to allow enough time for it to take effect. Since then, the timing of this medication has changed multiple times, but the effectiveness has not.
Although the drug was initially designed for use by women, it didn’t take long for people to realize its benefits for men as well. In fact, by 1967, 25% of all users were women.
The pill quickly became popular and by 1975, there were approximately 160,000 women and men taking it regularly. By the early 1980s, the number of daily users had increased to 400,000 people. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the rate of use among women peaked at 4.8 million per week.
The introduction of new ED medications has continued apace over the last few years and the number of women taking them regularly has risen as well. According to figures from the American Association of Sexuality Online (4A’s), approximately 1.7 million American women between the ages of 18-49 use ED medication on a regular basis. That’s up from 1.4 million in 2014 and 1.2 million in 2012.
Why Are Women Using Viagra Now?
The shift in attitudes towards gender and sexuality has resulted in a large number of women feeling comfortable enough to seek out ED medication. For centuries, sex and sexuality were highly stigmatized and considered inappropriate topics for polite society. These days, discussions of sex and sexuality are commonplace and even something to be celebrated. Families, friends, and coworkers often joke about the “changing of the guard” following a wedding night. People are now more willing to discuss their sex lives than ever before. According to a Harris poll conducted last year, 71% of American adults between the ages of 18-99 say that they have talked about sex with their doctor or healthcare provider. This is up from 66% in 2014 and 63% in 2012.
The rise in acceptance and use of Viagra among women can be attributed to a combination of factors. First, advancements in modern medicine have allowed people to live longer. Thanks to pharmaceuticals like Viagra and similar medications, people can now enjoy the benefits of an active sex life into their golden years.
In addition, the stigma that has surrounded sex and sexuality for so long has largely disappeared. Thanks to a greater degree of openness about gender and sexuality, people are more familiar with the idea of taking ED medication. Even if they had never considered it before, individuals who are open to new ideas and comfortable with uncertainty are more likely to try something new.
Many couples also use ED medication to enhance their sex lives. For some, it’s a way to add a little kink to their relationship. For others, it’s a natural way to help their bodies produce more oxytocin, a hormone that promotes a sense of connectedness and trust between lovers.
Is It Safe For Women To Use Viagra?
Although women are now able to enjoy the benefits of Viagra and other ED medications, this does not mean that all is well with regard to the safety of these products. Just because a medication is safe for men, it does not follow that it is also safe for women. In fact, some experts say that taking these pills can be dangerous for women. They cite examples of women who became pregnant while taking nitro-nadine or who experienced heart damage while on sildenafil. Therefore, if you’re a woman and are thinking about trying ED medication, you should discuss this with your doctor first.
The Difference In Dosage
When men initially started taking Viagra, the recommended dose was 100 mg. A few years later, it was increased to 150 mg. Then in 2009, the recommended dose was further increased to 200 mg. This was done to better ensure that men would continue to experience the desired effects of the medication. Unfortunately, this also made it much more difficult for women to achieve the same benefits as their male counterparts. In some cases, it was necessary for women to take two pills—one for the first dose and one for the remainder of the day. Even then, not all women were able to achieve the same effects as men. Some had to settle for much less than the recommended dose.
Thanks to advancements in modern medicine, it is now possible for individuals to live much longer and healthier lives. This coupled with the changing social mores and greater degree of openness about gender and sexuality has resulted in a brand new era in the world of ED medication. Gone are the days when doctors only prescribed treatment to men. Now, drugs such as sildenafil citrate (Viagra) can help women who want to engage in sexual activity but don’t necessarily want to become pregnant. Some women prefer this pill to other ED treatments because it allows them to engage in sexual activity while also avoiding the side effects that other medications can cause.