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It has just appeared in pharmacies, and it is already heating up enormous emotions. Some sexologists believe that an over-the-counter erectile dysfunction drug should be withdrawn from pharmacies. Prof. Lew Starowicz is of a different opinion.
Prof. Lew Starowicz believes that a better solution is to buy a proven drug in a pharmacy than online for a pharmaceutical of unknown origin. Some sexologists, however, are satisfied that erectile dysfunction can be a symptom of many diseases that will not be diagnosed, because the patient will not visit a doctor but will go to a pharmacy for an appropriate over-the-counter medication.
Better to educate than forbid
The owner of one of the pharmacies in Warsaw says that there is considerable interest in an over-the-counter drug containing sildenafil, such as Viagra. In her opinion, some doctors complain because they lost money. Patients no longer have to pay for an appointment to get a prescription. Prof. Lew Starowicz believes that educating patients seems more reasonable than introducing prohibitions and restrictions. – There is no medicine that does not cause side effects, so you should read their leaflets. Of course, the optimal solution would be for men with erectile dysfunction to see a doctor and get tested. But if they do not do it and buy drugs of unknown origin via the Internet, a proven drug available over the counter at a pharmacy will be a lesser evil – says the sexologist.
They preferred to buy online
According to the estimates of the Polish Society of Sexual Medicine, the problem of erectile dysfunction affects up to 1,7 million Polish men. About 5 percent of people use the help of a doctor. So the question is how the rest have done so far. If we assume that demand creates supply, it can be presumed that many men used illegal websites offering over-the-counter potency remedies. There are plenty of such sellers. They offer all prescription drugs for potency, except that prescriptions do not require. The quality of their goods is guaranteed by the slogan: «100% satisfaction or your money back ».
The Polish Society of Sexual Medicine estimates that up to 62 percent. of these drugs offered in sex shops and on the Internet may be counterfeit.
Last year, policemen dismantled a 24-strong criminal group headed by a leader known as the “King of Viagra”. It sold at least 300 illegal Viagra with a total value of over PLN 5 million. The expertise of the National Medicines Institute revealed that the tablets contained ingredients that endanger the health and life of buyers.
Toxic erection
In addition to non-approved substances with unexplored health consequences, these fakes also contain toxic ingredients. At best, the buyer swallows a plaster tablet dyed blue, most commonly with denim dye. This is why many doctors believe that an over-the-counter erectile dysfunction drug is a good solution. They emphasize that it is difficult for men to admit to themselves that they have a problem in the sphere of sexual life, let alone tell a doctor about it. It is still an embarrassing topic for most. Meanwhile, bed failures can cause serious frustration. – Sometimes one failed intercourse causes such anxiety that it disturbs your erection for the next. Then even the mere possession of a tablet can solve the problem, because the man, knowing that it is within reach, stops stressing – says urologist and andrologist Dr. Jan Karol Wolski.
Better to be tested
The Society for Sexual Medicine recalls that erectile dysfunction in about 70-80 percent. cases may be a preceding symptom of many diseases or a side effect of drugs or chronic use of stimulants. However, a headache can be a symptom of brain cancer, and a cough from lung cancer, so should prescriptions for painkillers or cough syrup be introduced? Urologist prof. Andrzej Borkowski believes that selling erectile dysfunction drugs in small doses without a prescription is a good idea. “Men will stop buying illegal drugs of unknown composition, and the questionable effectiveness of aphrodisiacs,” he says. He adds, however, that it would be good to see a family doctor, urologist or sexologist before the first purchase of the drug. In his opinion, the general practitioner during each examination should ask an adult man if he has problems with an erection. Many doctors don’t do this, waiting for the patient to report the problem himself. Meanwhile, the gentlemen prefer the medic to ask them about it himself.
Everything can be overdosed
The Polish Society of Sexual Medicine warns that the product containing sildenafil may be treated by adolescents as a method of additional sexual doping. Meanwhile, if it is taken in combination with alcohol, there is a real risk of side effects. Clinical pharmacologist prof. Jacek Spławiński says, however, that sildenafil is not more dangerous than the substances present in over-the-counter painkillers, the overdosing of which can also have tragic consequences. Dr. Jan Karol Wolski adds that it is important to read the leaflets carefully. He points out that when Viagra entered the US market, the government was giving war veterans three free tablets a month. Back then, several deaths were reported after this drug. An investigation into this showed that veterans, when unable to achieve a full erection after one pill, took another. And some of them all at once, just in case.