Latest news with #erectileDysfunction
Daily Mail
19-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
New 'super-Viagra' is 10 times stronger than famous little blue pill and could have fewer side effects, scientists say
A new 'super-Viagra' could be ten times stronger than the famous little blue pill and comes with fewer side effects scientists have revealed. The experimental drug simenafil was tested on 706 men by a team at Peking University First Hospital in China. And the results were staggering. The tests showed that after 12 weeks, the course of pills improved erectile function by more than 12 per cent. Scientists found that the original Viagra, known as sildenafil, only caused an approximately 11.8 per cent improvement compared to super-Viagra's 12.3 per cent results, and it found other brands were even less effective. And the dose is considerably smaller, with improvements seen using just 5mg compared to the standard 50mg dose of Viagra, according to The Sun. Erectile dysfunction is very common and often affects men over 40 years old. Symptoms usually include an inability to get an erection or an inability to maintain one. Most men struggle to get or keep an erection at some point, this can usually be caused by stress, tiredness or drinking too much alcohol. However if it is a common occurrence it may be a result of high blood pressure or cholesterol, diabetes, depression or anxiety and hormones problems and is something that can be discussed with a GP. Drugs on offer include traditional Viagra which is part of a drug group called PDE5 inhibitors. They work by blocking an enzyme that restricts blood flow to the penis, by blocking it, the normal function can resume and the penis can be become erect. Side effects can include headaches, sickness, hot flushes, indigestion, a stuffy nose or feeling dizzy. Writing in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, study author Dr Hui Jiang said: 'Owing to these adverse events, novel and alternative therapies are needed for patients with erectile dysfunction. 'The results so far show oral simenafil was effective and well-tolerated in male patients. 'Therefore, we believe that it will provide an additional reliable treatment option. 'Overall, the evaluation indicated that simenafil was as effective as other PDE5 inhibitors even at very low doses. 'It showed that intercourse satisfaction, orgasmic function, sexual desire and overall satisfaction increased.' The development comes as GPs warn of a staggering rise in erectile problems in young men. According to doctors, watching pornography is driving a wave of erectile dysfunction. Dr Babak Ashrafi, a family medic with Superdrug Online Doctor, said there had been an 46 per cent increase in men under the age of 30 currently seeking help from its erectile dysfunction service compared to last year. But Dr Babak said a spike in younger men experiencing the problem could be linked to the 'exponential' consumption of explicit online material. 'Despite men between the ages of 45 and 54 being the most likely to suffer from erectile difficulties, younger male audiences are increasingly requesting treatment,' he said. Dr Babak explained that while occasional pornography viewing was harmless, frequent or marathon sessions could re-train men's brains and prevent them from becoming aroused normally. 'Repeated overexposure to graphic content can over time make it harder for individuals to become aroused by real-life sexual experiences,' he said. The family doctor added that porn could be giving men unrealistic perceptions about their manhood, or how long they should last in bed.
The Sun
05-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
England's oldest Viagra user on NHS is 102, figures reveal as thousands of over 80s using performance-boosting pill
A MAN aged 102 is the oldest in England to be given Viagra on the NHS figures reveal as thousands of older people use the pill. A record 250,000 prescriptions for the performance-enhancing "blue pill" were given to over-80s in the last year, including the sprightly centenarian. According to The Mirror's analysis of 106 clinical commissioning groups across England, a whopping 4.71 million prescriptions were issued by the NHS last year. Prescriptions for drugs such as Viagra and Cialis were up 100,000 on the year before. And that could be just the tip of the iceberg with many opting to buy the drug privately. The NHS in England alone spent more than £20million helping men dealing with erectile dysfunction. Figures also revealed that those in their 60s were given the highest number of Viagra pills. The NHS said erection problems are 'very common' in men over 40 and become more likely with age and illness. It comes as older people are increasingly using dating sites and hook-up apps looking for sex. Perhaps the most famous elderly Viagra user was Hugh Hefner, the founder of Playboy. Known for throwing wild and extravagant parties at his luxury mansion, the magnate's hearing loss has often been blamed on taking the pills. The most common side effects are headaches, feeling sick, indigestion and dizziness but many people have no side effects at all or only mild ones. Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, was first developed in the 1990s to treat hypertension and angina. But during clinical trials, the side-effect of increased erections was discovered and it was approved for medical use in 1998. The NHS warns that a recent heart attack or stroke could make taking the pill more dangerous. But it advises that most men aged 18 and over can take sildenafil safely. Inside UK's fake Viagra epidemic…agonising three-day effects, 50p hits and deadly drugs, drywall & ink used as 'fillers' Frank Furedi, professor of sociology at the University of Kent, has previously said that elderly men are fast becoming "generation Viagra". He said: "Contemporary culture sends out the signal that sex is for life. "A lot of elderly man feel they must have a full-on sex life by any means necessary." The Sun recently reported how research revealed the sex drug has surprising health benefits and could help up to 3 million ageing Brits. Studies suggested it could potentially prevent back pain and fractures in old age and even reduce the risk of dementia. It was also revealed last month that men from Yorkshire need the most help in rising to the occassion, according to new figures.
Daily Mail
05-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Man aged 102 becomes oldest in Britain to be prescribed Viagra on NHS - one of a record 250,000 over-80s getting the little blue pills on the taxpayer
A 102-year-old man has become the oldest man in Britain to have been prescribed Viagra on the NHS. Figures show that the randy man was one of 250,000 over-80s to be handed the blue pill on the taxpayer's dime. However, according to an analysis by the Mirror, there could be a greater number of elderly men quietly forking out to buy the bedroom-boosting pill privately. According to data from 106 clinical commissioning groups across England, last year, the health service issued 4.71million prescriptions to help men in the bedroom - costing a jaw-dropping £16.9million. Men in the 60s were the most common age group to get the 'blue pill'. It comes as new data suggests dating sites and apps have increasingly catered to older people looking for some action. Viagra's most famous user was Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, who continued to take the pill well into his 80s before dying aged 91. It was said it caused his hearing loss, one of several known side effects along with dizziness and changes to vision. The drug's active ingredient, sildenafil, was originally developed to treat high blood pressure in the lungs but was later found to boost blood flow elsewhere in the body, helping men maintain erections for up to two hours. It now also features in Hezkue, the world's first oral spray for erectile dysfunction, launched recently in the UK and costing £60 a bottle. The NHS advises that most men over 18 can safely take sildenafil, though it warns that those who have suffered a recent heart attack or stroke could face serious side effects. Frank Furedi, professor of sociology at the University of Kent, previously said of older Viagra users: 'Contemporary culture sends out the signal that sex is for life. 'A lot of elderly men feel they must have a full-on sex life by any means necessary. They are fast becoming "generation Viagra".'
Daily Mail
22-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The Brits who need Viagra the most - as NHS figures show which areas show biggest demand for erectile dysfunction drug
New NHS figures have revealed which areas have the highest demand for Viagra. Men from Yorkshire are given the most prescriptions for Viagra or similar performance-aiding drugs. The East Riding of Yorkshire topped the table with 3.5 per cent of people needing the little blue pill. Coming in at a close second was Northumberland with 3.3 per cent of men using the pill. And in the coastal area of Dorset, which is popular with retirees, 3.2 per cent of men required the pill. On top of that men in the North used Viagra more often that men in the South last year. Those living in London, Cambridgeshire and Berkshire were far less likely to ask for a prescription. But only 1.5 per cent of men in Leicester were prescribed the drug - making it the area with the lowest rate of users in the UK. Consultant urologist Gordon Muir, of London Bridge Hospital, told the Sun: 'NHS provision of this treatment can vary from region to region, as can the ratio of underlying disease which probably explains some of the differences.' Most men occasionally struggle to get or keep an erection due to stress, tiredness, anxiety or drinking too much alcohol. But up to one in five men in the UK (4.3million) suffer erectile dysfunction - when this keeps happening. It can be caused by high blood pressure or cholesterol, hormone problems or side effects from medication. Medicines containing sildenafil, originally developed to treat angina, are often used to treat the condition. It expands blood vessels and boosts blood flow to the genitals. Viagra was originally cooked up by Covid vaccine manufacturer Pfizer in 1989, with hopes that sildenafil citrate could treat high blood pressure. But clinical trials in Wales a few years later saw men report an unusual side effect —they got more erections while taking the medication. The drug was approved in the US and EU in 1998, branded as Viagra, and became one of the fastest selling drugs of all time. Nearly half of men between the ages of 40 and 70 suffer from erectile dysfunction in the UK - this is around 4.3 million people. But reports suggest the 'little blue pill' is now becoming increasingly popular with younger individuals in their twenties and thirties. A 2020 survey of 5,000 people carried out for Upjohn, the maker of Viagra Connect, the over-the-counter version of the drug, showed that 18 per cent of 18-24-year-old men had erection difficulties. And more recently, the ease of getting the drug without a prescription seems to be fueling its popularity with a younger audience. Non-branded sildenafil can be available from the NHS, to treat erectile dysfunction or pulmonary hypertension.
The Sun
04-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
My marriage became sex-starved then ended because of a common hair loss drug – I was so lonely I became suicidal
A WOMAN has revealed that she left her husband after their marriage became sexless thanks to a common drug for hair loss. Thammika Songkaeo shared her heartbreaking story on the Moral Medicine podcast. 3 3 Now a bestselling author, she revealed the dangers of the prescription drug that men rarely know about. Thammika said she noticed that her love life was nonexistent while they were still dating. Her then- boyfriend told her that it was because he had taken Propecia — the brand name of finasteride. Finasteride is a prescription drug that is commonly used to treat male pattern hair loss. It works by blocking the production of a male hormone that contributes to hair loss. However, it comes with a host of side effects, including: erectile dysfunction, decreased sex drive and ejaculation problems, including reduced ejaculate volume. At first, she figured it would only be a temporary problem, but that soon changed. 'I did not at all realise that it was permanent, serious [and] devastating,' she said. The pair still decided to stay together and ended up married for seven years. She even convinced her ex to take an erectile dysfunction drug to improve intimacy. 3 Taking lovers has improved our relationship but threesome on TV left me in tear The couple even welcomed a daughter, but the sex life never really improved and Thamika was feeling lonelier than ever. Eventually, she decided to call it quits on her sex-starved marriage. She said: "I couldn't really detach myself from this person because I saw what happened, and I said, "This is definitely not this man's fault." "And what I needed to do personally was move away from the relationship as a romantic partner because I couldn't do it, I couldn't live in a sexless marriage." Help for mental health If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support. The following are free to contact and confidential: Samaritans, 116 123 CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) 0800 585 858 Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) 0800 068 41 41 Shout (for support of all mental health) text 85258 to start a conversation Mind, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary). YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too. Rethink Mental Illness, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate). Heads Together, is the a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales. Now, she is trying to raise awareness on post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) - condition in which someone experiences severe side effects after they stop using finasteride. 'The depth of the loneliness I felt was to the point where I, myself, was becoming suicidal or having suicidal thoughts,' Songkaeo said. 'I had to call the suicide hotline because it became that bad for me — and, usually, I'm a pretty happy person.' She questions the ethics of distributing a drug that can have such potentially devastating consequences. 'Finasteride has the capacity to dissolve one person so much that it becomes this domino effect…there's just so much destruction around it — and it feels like unnecessary destruction,' she said.
