The ‘man pill’ is much more popular than the ‘woman pill’ – but is there really something special about the blue pills?
The erectile dysfunction drug Viagra is one of the most popular pharmaceutical products in the world. Sold as Sildenafil in most countries, it is a prescription drug that can help men with their erectile dysfunction (ED). It was first approved for sale in 1998 and since then it has become a billion-dollar industry. In 2015 alone, Viagra sales were worth about £6 billion.
Like many other men’s health products, Viagra is also available in a chewable form (Viagra Soft), and a liquid form (Viagra Liquid). While the drug may be just as effective in both forms, the liquid is more popular as it is easier to swallow and thus more convenient for men.
Is It An ‘A-Sport’?
The term ‘A-Sport’ was first used to denote a marketing segment within the pharmaceutical industry. It combines ‘attractive packaging’ with ‘active pharmaceutical ingredients’ and thus encourages the consumer to ‘consume’ rather than ‘use’ the product. So in other words, if you’re after a workout, you might consider an ‘A-Sport’ bicycle over a generic one.
The popularity of ‘A-Sport’ products soared in the 1980s and 90s. But is this approach appropriate for all supplements? Or are there particular products that should not be marketed in such a way?
In the case of Viagra, the active ingredient, Sildenafil, has been around for almost 50 years and has been proven to improve erectile function in clinical trials. Additionally, the packaging is very sophisticated and attractive, drawing the eye and encouraging the consumer to ‘take a look’.
So it seems very fitting that the active compound used in this product is also found in naturally-occurring compounds like the ‘Viagra fruit’, found in Viagra-flavored strawberries (and other berries). While Sildenafil has been shown to improve erectile function in clinical trials, it has not been investigated whether strawberry-flavored products actually help with sexual functioning. So, while we can’t say for sure that eating strawberries will improve your chances of getting it on with the girls, we can tell you that it’s definitely going to make you hungry for more ‘berries’.
On the other hand, most consumers are unaware that the fruit from which Viagra is derived, the ‘Viagra fruit’, is not actually a berry. Instead, it is a small orange fruit that grows on a trellis and is somewhat similar to a fig. It does have a berry-like appearance and is sometimes mistaken for one, but that is mostly due to cross-cultural confusion –- after all, oranges and lemons are also popularly mistaken for berries.
The real difference is that while berries give you an ‘eat-more-vitamin C’ kind of a boost, oranges and lemons give you a burst of ‘eat-more-flavors’. So, while everyone else is having a barbeque, you’re having a flavour party.
Is It Genuine ‘Nutrition’?
In addition to looking good and helping with a certain medical condition, many people believe that vitamins, minerals, and herbs can improve their physical appearance and boost their overall health. So while you may not need a supplement to help with your sex life, you might want to try a natural product that contains herbs and plants in the hope that it will improve your overall well-being.
To be fair, most ‘health’ supplements are marketed as though they were a one-stop-shop for all conditions. But while some products do contain key nutrients necessary for human health, others are mainly composed of synthetic chemical compounds that are often unnecessary and even dangerous.
For example, Tribulus terrestris, a plant that is generally beneficial to human health, has been shown in studies to increase the risk of prostate cancer in men (although the mechanisms behind this are unclear). Unfortunately, there are many poorly-designed, or poorly-regulated, clinical trials where these types of compounds have been used, so relying on them in your daily diet is not advisable. They can also interact with other substances that you are taking, such as prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs.
On the other hand, some products are simply meant to be a ‘fun fact’ about the ingredient. For example, camomile flowers contain a substance called ‘lactone’ which is used to soften fabrics. While this may be a useful property for the home or the office, it is not something that you want to be consuming in large amounts.
So, while there is no denying that vitamins and minerals can be important for your body’s health, you should not solely rely on supplements to meet your daily needs. Instead, you should eat a diet rich in natural foods that provides you with the vitamins and minerals you need to lead a healthy life.
Is It A Safe Product?
Even when used correctly, medications and supplements can be harmful to your health. Over-the-counter medications that are not prescribed to you by a physician can cause serious damage if used incorrectly (or in excess). This is why it is always best to read the instructions carefully and if you’re still unsure what you’re supposed to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
According to the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA), more than 250,000 prescriptions are written for Viagra each year. While most men will experience a positive effect from taking the drug, there is also a small percentage of the population that may experience negative side effects (similar to those associated with prescription medications).
One of the most frequently reported side effects is a severe vision problem called ‘Colorful Vision’. This may be caused by an accumulation of a drug in your eyes called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5). PDE5 regulates a chemical in your eye called ‘cGMP’ which is necessary for transmitting light signals to your brain. Too much of the PDE5 inhibitor, Sildenafil (understood to be the active compound in Viagra), can cause this serious problem. It rarely happens, but it is important to note that it does happen and it is not an acceptable risk for men with diabetes or renal disease (in which case, the drug should not be used).
Who Is The Target Market?
As we’ve established, not all supplements are created equal. Some are healthy and some are not. Some help with certain conditions and some don’t. So, before you purchase any product, whether it is a medication, a vitamin, or an herb for example, you should always consider your specific needs and the purposes of the product.
In the case of Viagra, the target audience is men with erectile dysfunction. However, not all men with ED will respond well to the drug and it can take up to three months before you start to notice any effects. Additionally, side effects may occur – including headaches, upset stomach, stuffy nose, and vision problems.
What this means is that not everyone who takes the medication will have the same experience. In fact, the FDA has warned that in some cases, men may experience serious side effects including heart attacks and strokes. So while Viagra can help improve your sex life, it is not a ‘one-stop-shop’ for all sex therapy.
On the other hand, there are certain groups of men for whom Viagra may be less effective. If you’re one of these individuals, you may need to try other treatments (such as counseling or lifestyle changes) in order to improve your sex life.
How Does It Work?
Most men may not realize that they have ED until they’re 40 years old or older. This is mainly because in most cases, the condition does not manifest itself immediately. Instead, it starts out as a gradual decline in the ability to have an erection. This can make it very difficult to know how much of the problem is actually due to ED and how much is just because of aging.
There is actually a simple way to determine whether or not you have ED. If you’re not sure, ask your physician for a PDE5 inhibitor drug test. This will give you an idea of whether or not you have erectile dysfunction and if so, which grade it is.
In most cases, ED is caused by a dysfunction in the penile tissue (often resulting from prolonged stress, excessive alcohol consumption, or a chronic illness) that prevents it from absorbing enough oxygen during penetration. When this happens, the blood vessels in the penis remain dilated and the inability to obtain or maintain an erection persists.