For years, men have been suffering from erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence, due to psychological and physical causes. Thanks to new technologies, the field of sexual health has changed significantly. Now, there is a wide range of treatment options available, from pills to surgery. The rise of the “sexual wellness” movement has helped spur the creation of many new products aimed at enhancing men’s sexuality and boosting their confidence. One such product is Viagra. Here, we will explore the fascinating history of the popular ED drug and how it changed the way we look at sex and medication.
Early Years: Difficult Discovery
The discovery of Viagra, the first oral erection pill, was one of medicine’s great success stories. The company that patented the drug was Pfizer, and they initially offered it for sale in the United States in the 1950s, initially as a treatment for heart disease. In its early years, Viagra was quite a hit, as it quickly became one of the best-selling drugs of all time. Today, the drug is still considered one of the major pharmaceutical achievements of the 20th century.
Unfortunately, the drug wasn’t always well-tolerated. Patients often reported experiencing unpleasant side effects, such as headache, nausea, and swelling. These were due, in part, to the fact that Viagra was originally developed as a treatment for atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. However, as time went on and the drug was administered to more and more patients, these undesirable reactions gradually subsided. Still, the drug wasn’t without controversy. In fact, in 2014, the FDA approved a generic version of Viagra, but only after safety testing had to be performed. At the time, Pfizer strongly objected to the move, saying that the testing was too little and too late, and that their drug hadn’t been adequately studied prior to its generics approval.
The Rise Of The “Bromance”
Since its initial approval, Viagra has been used to treat a variety of conditions. In addition to cardiovascular problems, it has been shown to be helpful for sexual dysfunction, nerve damage, and even some types of hair loss. In recent years, scientists have also begun to explore the possibility that the drug might help treat Alzheimer’s disease and depression. Still, its original use as a treatment for impotence was the driving force behind its popularity. As the 20th century drew to a close, and with it, the advent of modern sex therapy, the demand for potent, long-lasting E.D. medications increased.
During this time, a “bromance” or “Viagra friendship” was coined to describe the newfound relationship between men and their medications. The drug’s popularity led to a surge in the number of “bromances” that were formed between patients who were taking the drug and their doctors. The resulting friendships were often very strong, and many men saw their doctors as more than just their physicians; they were often seen as friends and confidants who could help them through difficult times. This was especially the case during the early years of Viagra, when it was still a relatively new drug. Many patients would call their doctors every other night just to keep in touch. Today, bromances continue to be a common phenomenon among men who are taking the drug, particularly those who are experiencing trouble getting or maintaining an erection. Fortunately, Viagra isn’t the only game in town when it comes to ED medication. There are a number of other safe and effective drugs, such as Apomorphine, that are also used to treat impotence. In some cases, combining a nitrous oxide therapy with Viagra has also been shown to be helpful. In addition, some men experience significant improvement just by taking some deep breaths before engaging in sexual activity. This is sometimes referred to as a “sexual relaxation” therapy, and it’s often a preferable option to medications or surgery if there is no apparent physical cause for the impotence. Still, for those who do prefer to use medication, it is important to keep in mind that there are certain precautions that must be taken. For instance, men who are taking certain blood thinners, such as warfarin, need to be on the lookout for dangerous interactions. In addition, it is extremely important to consult with your doctor before taking any medication, particularly if you are on other medications or have a history of drug abuse.
Changing Times: From “Heart Disease” To “Sexual Dysfunction”
While Viagra was originally approved for use as a treatment for heart disease, its approval for use in treating impotence, or inability to achieve an erection, was a great leap forward for the pharmaceutical company. The approval of Viagra for usage in treating E.D., combined with the rising popularity of psychosexual therapy, led to a fundamental shift in the way that impotence was viewed. Instead of being considered a strictly physical problem, causing men to be frustrated and ashamed, impotence was now considered a symptom of a much deeper underlying medical problem. As a result, men who were experiencing E.D. were provided with significantly more support and guidance than they had previously received.
This was especially the case for older generations of men who were experiencing E.D. For those who were lucky enough to live into their 70s and 80s, the options for treatment were much greater than they had previously been offered. Instead of just accepting impotence as part of aging, men were now being encouraged to ask questions and seek help. Still, though, for many patients, the problem was not so much that their bodies were changing but rather that they were encountering new and different challenges in their personal and professional lives. As a result, for those who were unable to find relief through conventional means, many turned to alternative medicine.
Thanks to advancements in gene therapy and stem cell research, there are also new treatment options available for men with impotence caused by physical illness. In some cases, stem cell therapy has actually been shown to be more effective than Viagra in treating erectile dysfunction. However, for those who are undergoing or who have already undergone prostatectomy, the surgery itself can sometimes cause impotence and incontinence. In these cases, hormone therapy, anti-androgen therapy, or even a saline solution injection, might be the way to go. In fact, for some men, the solution might be as simple as trying a different position or varying the speed of their thrusts during sex. In other cases, however, physical problems, such as a Peyronie’s disease-like condition, might require surgical intervention. This is becoming more and more common as men continue to live longer and longer. While there are still no exact figures available, it is estimated that as many as 1 in 4 men over age 50 have some form of erectile dysfunction. The good news is that with proper treatment, there is usually no reason to hide these problems. In addition to being embarrassed about them, which is often the case, men with physical causes for their impotence usually experience significant improvements once they are properly diagnosed and treated.
Still, for many men who are taking or have taken Viagra, the medication doesn’t appear to be going anywhere. In fact, based on recent sales figures, Viagra was the world’s most popular drug in 2019, which is quite an achievement, considering that it was initially developed as a treatment for heart disease.
In some ways, Viagra and its ilk have not changed much since their inception. While there have been many new developments and products introduced into the market over the years, these drugs were designed primarily to treat physical illness and were not intended to be taken for extended periods of time, as most people now take sugar-free candy rather than medicinal pills to satisfy their sweet tooth.