As the internet-based pop-up ads and spam email messages appear to be connected with sexual enhancement drugs and products, particularly one name, viagra, a male erectile dysfunction medicine, springs out frequently. Contrary to the intended age group, this drug seems to be popular among the young in the Addis Ababa. Mihiret Aschalew tells the story of unrestricted access and growing attachments to viagra.
Sildenafil citrate, street name viagra, which was a treatment for heart disease originally, is the product of Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Company in the U.S. However, the scientists noticed one peculiar side effect for the drug-tendency to induce penile erection - which they later patented as cure for male erectile dysfunction in 1996. After two years, viagra became big all over the world.
And originally, viagra was prescribed for men suffering from erectile dysfunction caused by diabetes, old age, trauma and others. As it gained prominence in the sexual treatment industry, viagra grew among the youngsters in America and Europe without any sexual dysfunction. In fact, different from its original purpose, the consumption of the drug for the sole purpose of enhancing sexual performance started to pick up. The sales of viagra was further augmented by the internet-based marketing companies and small pharmaceutical products vendors. However, as easy as it was for the drug to grow in popularity, it is also equally very dangerous.
According to physicians, if the effect persists more than a few hours, it is potentially risky for the user and medical help must be sought immediately. Not to mention viagra could have different reaction on different individuals with different medical history. Hence, it is not something that is consumed without the advice of a physician, they caution. But the fact of the matter is different in Addis Ababa, where viagra is of a relatively recent advent. Youngsters are able to procure the drug in Addis without producing a prescription.
The Reporter’s research on matter revealed that viagra is dispensed over the counter without any hustle and any age limits. And according to Tigest Asrat, pharmacist by profession and owner of two pharmacies in Addis, the youngsters are by far the biggest buyers of viagra. “They do not suffer from any medical problems, which are causes for sexual impotence,” she explains. And the drugstores considered this as a business and exercise no restriction on the sales, Tigest says.
“Almost on a daily basis, I come across young men, even teenagers looking for viagra. I do not know what is really happening. Young boys, whom I expect not to have started sexual intercourse, come and asked for viagra. They say they have problems with their girlfriends. They cannot feel confident having sex without it” she said.
Wondosen Beyene, another pharmacist who is an inspector at the pharmaceutical technology transfer section of the Ministry of Science and Technology, argues similarly. The demand for viagra is high among the young and sexually active, while pharmacies are taking advantage of the situation by dispensing it at the counter. According to Wondosen, the 50 mg viagra tablets are the ones common in the streets of Addis and the youngsters face no hurdle in getting it.
Manufactures of viagra and other erectile dysfunction drugs like levitra or cialis say that the products are intended for the young and healthy. But the drugs are consumed in bulk for the enhancement of sexual pleasure and for reasons that has nothing to do with erectile dysfunction but the young. Using such drugs by youngmen seems completely pointless for Tigest. The drugs work for men with erectile dysfunction, by increasing blood flow to the penis and enhancing erection. Contrary to the medical fact, if the drug used by someone with no erectile dysfunction it will make the blood flow over and this is not normal, she said.
As a pharmacist, Tigist, strongly advices that medication are meant for treatments not for casual amazement. The case is no different for viagra; she continues to argue, even for men with erectile dysfunction as a result of diabetes, old age or trauma it should be prescribed by a professional. Apart from identifying whether the person has sexual impotence or not, there are different medical details that should be taken into account before subscribing the drug. Unfortunately young and sexually active men are getting the drug simply like it is mild pain depressant and it is very worrying to her.
‘Being physically able and sexually active, why would the young, especially those in their early twenties, use viagra?’ seems to be one question that many people just could not put a finger on. Tigist believes that that addiction is one possible factor that can explain why viagra’s demand is so high among young men in Addis Ababa. “Self-esteem, stress, anxiety and depression can also be the other factors leading the young men to use viagra. Peer pressure and pornography have also contributed greatly,” she says.
Another possible explanation could be, Tigist continues to explain, premature ejaculation, which is common among teenage boys with less sexual experience. But viagra is not a cure (long lasting solution) for premature ejaculation. Since most of the time the source of the problem is psychological or medical in nature, consulting physician or psychologist is the right approach, she says.
To the contrary, a sociologist, who spoke to The Reporter on conditions of anonymity, argues that in youngsters’ life peer pressure, curiosity to experience sexual intercourse and other sexual performance related anxiety were all there in the past. “And when we ask where this new trend of resort to medication came from, it will leave nothing but tchat,” he explains.
Wondosen, on his part, argues differently. He does not think that can be considered as a common factor for heightened of use of viagra among the young by citing individual difference, rather peer pressure and pornography are big factor for him.
Apart from viagra, cupid, which is an erectile dysfunction drug produced in Ethiopia and the like can be bought cheap in the market. But depending on the circumstances, pharmacies take advantage by pushing the price to the ceiling. Some drugstores exploit the buyers just by looking at the urgency and the time, The Reporter learnt.
Ephrem Degafe (MD), an internist and coordinator at the endoscopy unit of Yekatit 12 Hospital, says that erectile dysfunction drugs like iagra work by widening blood vessels and there could be other undesirable side-effects on medical condition of the user. Impotence is a case exhibited in only a few men. “Insignificant portion of men beyond 40 or 50 years can face age induced sexual impotence. Diabetic patients and those suffering from hypertension could experience erectile dysfunction, while medicines called beta blockers can also be the cause for impotence,” explains Ephrem. Apart from this, he believes that psychological factors have greater impact in causing impotence. Hence, he cautions that viagra and similar drugs are only intended for men who suffers from erectile dysfunction in one way or another and if used otherwise can result in an accidental heart problem (hypotension) and other health hazards.
Researches reveal that headache, stomach upset, flushing, nasal congestion and change in vision are possible side effects of viagra. However, there are some youngmen who can experience erectile dysfunction because of psychological factors. Still, under such conditions, the medical professionals do no subscribe to viagra for young men; rather psychological treatment is appropriate, they advise. Even for those who face erectile dysfunction and are old enough, the usage should be with a physician follow-up. “One should start by using 25 mg viagra tablet depending on his situation and strictly follow the doctor’s orders,” he says.
Dr Ephrem agrees with Tigest and the unnamed sociologist about the possibility of tchat as primary cause for young men to use viagra. Referring to two of the scarce research materials conducted on chat, he said that the stimulating effect could explain the heightened sexual libido. “There is a system called autonomic in human nervous system which has sympathetic and para-sympathetic nervous system components. The latter is the one that is important for erection while the former controls ejaculation. On the other hand, tchat is known to stimulate sympathetic nerves, while depressing para-sympathetic resulting in no erection, ejaculation without erection. So if tchat has such a kind of effects it can cause erectile dysfunction,” he explains. Meanwhile, euphoria, indifferent mood caused by the consumption of tchat leads to alcohol. And sex might be other option to exit the mood; sex without proper erection that is, he continues, elucidating, this is where viagra comes into the picture.
According to Ephrem, there should not be any medicine on the market without prescriptions from the unauthorized body. He argues that there must be an acceptable controlling mechanism for both viagra and tchat.
Although the mandate to supervise and control pharmacies is regional health offices, drug administration and controlling authority is the one to look after medicine importers and distributers. The authority’s inspection and speculation directorate director, Ato Wondafrash Abera, told The Reporter that the office will follow the case and act accordingly.
