Viagra was the harbinger of things to come in the form of the pharmacology of aging and sexuality (sexual medicine is in expansion mode post-Viagra).
All of this is due to a combination of, among other things, changing demographics (e.g. aging population), direct to consumer advertising/ consumer-based medicine (Viagra being one of the first drugs to be advertised directly to the consumer) and pharmaceutical expansion.
It is important to see that Viagra's popularity fits in a particular cultural moment in our history, and there will be/have been plenty of other products to follow (including medications) that emphasize the holy triumvirate: youth, vitality, and performance.
In short, as a sociologist I see Viagra as a cultural product and thus a window onto our culture. It helps us see where we are when it comes to sexuality (and our ambivalence), gender (masculinity and sexual performance packaged together), medicine (quick-fix and lifestyle enhancement emphasis more than ever), and aging (we’re uncomfortable with it but do we all want to be 18 again?).
Pfizer has helped to reinforce these traditional and not-so-traditional ideals with Viagra and it has been fascinating to see how successful they have been here and around the world with this youth, vitality, and performance-based message.
Again, now that the initial curiosity factor has disappeared, it is unclear how successful sexual dysfunction medication really is. Viagra has spurred several like products – Cialis and Levitra. But the refill rate on all three is low.
Viagra is certainly sociologically significant as it has highlighted many social problems in the way we do health and gender and sexuality in our society.
Is Viagra use common within the general population - men of all ages? How does this affect behavior or alter men and women's sexual intimacy?
It is difficult to find demographic information about who uses Viagra, but in Internet chatrooms, doctors' offices, pharmacies, etc. you find men of all ages interested in discussing the drug.
I spoke with young men who had purchased Viagra out of insecurity - a 'just in case' situation where they felt they had to live up to some social standard their first time and had purchased the pills (or borrowed them) to have some assurance of adequate performance.
I also spoke with men in their 80s who felt like it gave them 'life' again.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Viagr
Viagra, the commonly known erectile dysfunction medication is found to reduce adverse sexual effects in women with sexual dysfunction caused by the use of antidepressants.
Sexual dysfunction linked with treatment is a frequent adverse effect occurring with medication use and is a major influence for early discontinuation of antidepressant treatment, which can lead to treatment failure.
The background information in the study said that sexual dysfunction is recognized as being associated with selective and nonselective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) antidepressants, which are the most frequently prescribed medications for outpatients age 18 to 65 years.
Antidepressant treatment–associated sexual dysfunction is estimated to occur in 30 percent to 70 percent of men and women.
"Antidepressant treatment–associated sexual dysfunction is estimated to occur in 30 percent to 70 percent of men and women treated for major depression with first or second-generation agents, a principal reason for a 3-fold increased risk of nonadherence that approaches 70 percent in the first months of treatment and leads to increased relapse, recurrence, disability, and resource utilization by affected patients," wrote the authors.
Till date, no randomized controlled trial has demonstrated an effective treatment for women experiencing sexual dysfunction associated with SRIs.
In this study, researchers of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine compared the efficacy of sildenafil against placebo for treatment of sexual dysfunction (such as orgasm delay or lack of arousal [lubrication]) associated with SRI treatment in 98 women (average age 37) with major depression in remission.
In this randomized controlled clinical trial, conducted between Sept. 2003 and Jan. 2007 at seven U.S. research centers, participants were randomly assigned to take sildenafil (n = 49) or placebo (n = 49) at a flexible dose starting at 50 mg., adjustable to 100 mg., approximately one to two hours before anticipated sexual activity, for 8 weeks.
It was found that 73 percent of women taking placebo, compared with 28 percent of women taking sildenafil, reported no improvement with treatment. On a clinician-rated severity improvement scale, women in the sildenafil group showed greater improvement in sexual function than women in the placebo group.
Headache, flushing, and indigestion were reported frequently during treatment, but no patients withdrew because of serious adverse effects.
"These findings are important not only because women experience major depressive disorder at nearly double the rate of men and because they experience greater resulting sexual dysfunction than men but also because it establishes that selective phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors [such as sildenafil] are effective in both sexes for this purpose. By treating this bothersome treatment-associated adverse effect in patients who have been effectively treated for depression, but need to continue on their medication to avoid relapse or recurrence, patients can remain antidepressant-adherent, reduce the current high rates of premature medication discontinuation, and improve depression disease management outcomes," wrote the authors.
d
Sexual dysfunction linked with treatment is a frequent adverse effect occurring with medication use and is a major influence for early discontinuation of antidepressant treatment, which can lead to treatment failure.
The background information in the study said that sexual dysfunction is recognized as being associated with selective and nonselective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) antidepressants, which are the most frequently prescribed medications for outpatients age 18 to 65 years.
Antidepressant treatment–associated sexual dysfunction is estimated to occur in 30 percent to 70 percent of men and women.
"Antidepressant treatment–associated sexual dysfunction is estimated to occur in 30 percent to 70 percent of men and women treated for major depression with first or second-generation agents, a principal reason for a 3-fold increased risk of nonadherence that approaches 70 percent in the first months of treatment and leads to increased relapse, recurrence, disability, and resource utilization by affected patients," wrote the authors.
Till date, no randomized controlled trial has demonstrated an effective treatment for women experiencing sexual dysfunction associated with SRIs.
In this study, researchers of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine compared the efficacy of sildenafil against placebo for treatment of sexual dysfunction (such as orgasm delay or lack of arousal [lubrication]) associated with SRI treatment in 98 women (average age 37) with major depression in remission.
In this randomized controlled clinical trial, conducted between Sept. 2003 and Jan. 2007 at seven U.S. research centers, participants were randomly assigned to take sildenafil (n = 49) or placebo (n = 49) at a flexible dose starting at 50 mg., adjustable to 100 mg., approximately one to two hours before anticipated sexual activity, for 8 weeks.
It was found that 73 percent of women taking placebo, compared with 28 percent of women taking sildenafil, reported no improvement with treatment. On a clinician-rated severity improvement scale, women in the sildenafil group showed greater improvement in sexual function than women in the placebo group.
Headache, flushing, and indigestion were reported frequently during treatment, but no patients withdrew because of serious adverse effects.
"These findings are important not only because women experience major depressive disorder at nearly double the rate of men and because they experience greater resulting sexual dysfunction than men but also because it establishes that selective phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors [such as sildenafil] are effective in both sexes for this purpose. By treating this bothersome treatment-associated adverse effect in patients who have been effectively treated for depression, but need to continue on their medication to avoid relapse or recurrence, patients can remain antidepressant-adherent, reduce the current high rates of premature medication discontinuation, and improve depression disease management outcomes," wrote the authors.
d
Monday, August 11, 2008
A Guide for Female
Sex, like most other functions of our body is a normal process. As other functions, like for example, the digestion, can be upset by factors like a bad mood, stress or similar such things, so can the sexual function be disturbed by a whole lot of factors. These may not necessarily involve the anatomy but instead it’s the mind, which makes the difference.
If sex is allowed to happen naturally, in a relaxed way, our bodies will respond normally without any conscious effort on our part.
There are a wide variety of problem or situations that can upset the normal sexual responsiveness, most of them, fortunately, can be helped in a positive manner by understanding on our part. Here are a few of the most common amongst them and ways to improve:
* Misunderstanding and/or lack of information about sex :
Its indeed one of the most telling ironies that Sex, despite being one of the most commonly discussed topic in our lives and in the media, there is a surprising lack of correct information about ‘What to Expect and How to Act’.
Those images of the ‘Perfect Macho Man and The Perfect Sensual Woman’ on the TV and in the Magazines make us feel that Sex instead of being a perfectly normal natural and enjoyable thing, is an ‘Act to be Performed to Perfection’. All this does it to add to the confusion and leads to unrealistic fears, expectations and fantasies.
* Bad feelings about Sex and its consequences -
1. Fear of pregnancy; Fear of pain; Fear of being caught/ heard/ or interrupted.
2. Performance Anxiety-Fear of failing to perform well.
3. Fear of losing control (during orgasm) and /or becoming vulnerable.
4. Looking unattractive during the climax.
5. Bad feelings about yourself or your body like, feeling that the body is unattractive. Feelings that I am not successful (low self-esteem).
Top Curve
Your Sex Guide
Better Sex Guide
FAQ's FOR Women
FAQ's FOR MEN Ask A Doctor
Health News
Health Tool Kit
24 Hours Chemists
Yellow Pages
Members
Net-Links
IndiaMART Network
IndiaMART Home
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* Problems in relationship –
Anger/resentment against the partner should be resolved as it can decrease the performance and pleasure while having sex.
* Unsuitable circumstances –
While a ‘Quickie’ sometimes can be fun! But normally Good Sex requires a relaxed mind and body. Too much of a hurry, tiredness or preoccupation can rob you of the pleasures of Sex.
* Performance anxiety –
This is one of the most significant problems in the way of Good Sex. We often forget that Sex is something that comes naturally to all of us, instead, we seem to view ourselves as performers who have to complete an act to perfection.
* Spectator role –
Quite often we start observing ourselves as an audience, instead of really participating in it. – We observe ourselves ‘doing the act’, as if on stage (now coming, now coming...., so again it doesn't,...I knew it…etc.).
If sex is allowed to happen naturally, in a relaxed way, our bodies will respond normally without any conscious effort on our part.
There are a wide variety of problem or situations that can upset the normal sexual responsiveness, most of them, fortunately, can be helped in a positive manner by understanding on our part. Here are a few of the most common amongst them and ways to improve:
* Misunderstanding and/or lack of information about sex :
Its indeed one of the most telling ironies that Sex, despite being one of the most commonly discussed topic in our lives and in the media, there is a surprising lack of correct information about ‘What to Expect and How to Act’.
Those images of the ‘Perfect Macho Man and The Perfect Sensual Woman’ on the TV and in the Magazines make us feel that Sex instead of being a perfectly normal natural and enjoyable thing, is an ‘Act to be Performed to Perfection’. All this does it to add to the confusion and leads to unrealistic fears, expectations and fantasies.
* Bad feelings about Sex and its consequences -
1. Fear of pregnancy; Fear of pain; Fear of being caught/ heard/ or interrupted.
2. Performance Anxiety-Fear of failing to perform well.
3. Fear of losing control (during orgasm) and /or becoming vulnerable.
4. Looking unattractive during the climax.
5. Bad feelings about yourself or your body like, feeling that the body is unattractive. Feelings that I am not successful (low self-esteem).
Top Curve
Your Sex Guide
Better Sex Guide
FAQ's FOR Women
FAQ's FOR MEN Ask A Doctor
Health News
Health Tool Kit
24 Hours Chemists
Yellow Pages
Members
Net-Links
IndiaMART Network
IndiaMART Home
Gifts & Handicraft
Apparel & Textiles
Finance Investment
India News Online
Travel & Tourism
Online Shopping
Auto Junction
Bottom Curve
* Problems in relationship –
Anger/resentment against the partner should be resolved as it can decrease the performance and pleasure while having sex.
* Unsuitable circumstances –
While a ‘Quickie’ sometimes can be fun! But normally Good Sex requires a relaxed mind and body. Too much of a hurry, tiredness or preoccupation can rob you of the pleasures of Sex.
* Performance anxiety –
This is one of the most significant problems in the way of Good Sex. We often forget that Sex is something that comes naturally to all of us, instead, we seem to view ourselves as performers who have to complete an act to perfection.
* Spectator role –
Quite often we start observing ourselves as an audience, instead of really participating in it. – We observe ourselves ‘doing the act’, as if on stage (now coming, now coming...., so again it doesn't,...I knew it…etc.).
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