Rising to the Challenge
Fond as Irish men are of their penises, few are happy to discuss its workings (or lack thereof) with a total stranger. With Viagra now available without a prescription, Woman’s Way sent a typical, Irish middle-aged man to his local pharmacy to check out the process on behalf of Fir na hÉireann.
Rising
to the challenge…
Daithí, let’s call him, is an average grumpy, Irish man in his 50s. He’s spent the last year bemoaning the closing of pubs and the ban on spectators at GAA and rugby matches. It’s not that he thinks he has it worse than, say, frontline workers but he feels like nobody is paying attention to his pain. So he tells the wife about it, over and over and over again.
To be crystal clear, Daithí in no way, shape or form suffers from any kind of erectile dysfunction. At least none that he is prepared to admit to the readers of Woman’s Way. He has friends who, following treatment for prostate cancer, use Viagra on a regular basis. He is also aware that Viagra can be bought online or, illegally, from a ‘friend of a friend’. He has never been tempted. “You wouldn’t know what you’re getting,” he wisely points out.
Viagra is now available in pharmacies but not quite for ‘over the counter’ sale. All pharmacies require a consultation with the man who is intending to use the product (as Daithí’s wife discovered when she tried to buy some).
Manfully, Daithí stepped up to the plate, or rather the counter of the local pharmacy, after some persuasion by the wife. “I told him I had to pick up a prescription and got him into the shop. When the pharmacist came over I whispered that Daithí wanted to buy some Viagra,” she says. “The pharmacist nodded and took him off into a private consultation room.”
Daithí wasn’t taken totally by surprise. “She’d been on at me since she saw it for sale and couldn’t get it herself,” he says. “I have to say I was intrigued. I mean I definitely don’t need Viagra but I thought it would be interesting to see what the consultation was like.”
His biggest fear, he said, was that he would have to talk about difficulties getting or sustaining an erection. “I didn’t want to lie.”
Unlike Daithí, one in ten men suffer serious ongoing erectile dysfunction. If this is an issue, it is important the man gets medical advice from a doctor. The problem could be caused by an underlying condition.
However many men, particularly older men, find that erections don’t happen as easily as they once did. Stress, difficulties in a relationship, lack of exercise, drink or drug use, all exacerbate the problem. Any contributing factors should be addressed.
The pharmacist consultation for Viagra is less concerned with the details of the man’s erectile dysfunction, except to advise them that if it’s a serious issue they should see a doctor.
“I was relieved we didn’t have to go there,” says Daithí.
Instead the questions were all about Daithí’s overall health, fitness and, in particular, his heart health. Viagra may not be safe for men with heart disease or those taking certain types of medications. “I’d strongly advise men to answer the questions honestly,” says Daithí.
The pharmacist also provided a long list of potential side effects ranging from a mild headache to serious cardiovascular problems. These aren’t necessarily that common but it’s good to know what to watch out for once the pill has been taken.
To say Daithí was delighted with himself when he emerged from the consultation room, is an understatement. The pharmacist put the Viagra into a discrete paper bag. For six pills, he paid €25.
He was also given a slip of paper which would allow him to buy more Viagra, although the pharmacist warned that an additional consultation may be necessary, from time to time.
With his new found expertise on all things Viagra, Daithí spent the journey home explaining it all to his wife.
“The thing she needed to know was that I still needed to be aroused. An erection doesn’t just happen after you take Viagra. It works by increasing blood flow to the penis when a man is sexually aroused. I felt it important she understood about the sexual arousal part,” says Daithí.
Overall he is very positive about the experience. “It was very discrete and private,” he says. “I could see the point of the consultation too. It isn’t right for everyone and I’m glad I knew about the side effects. My message to other men who might need help in this area, is to go for it. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
Box:
If dragging your man to a pharmacy for a consultation is just not on the cards, Viagra Connect is available legally online here in Ireland. The digital pharmacy Healthwave offers a virtual consultation service, which might suit some men better. The consultation and nationwide delivery of six pills of Viagra Connect costs €25.
Check out: www.healthwave.ie
Panel:
Headline: Something for the ladies…
Many women, as they age, experience vaginal dryness. It can become particularly pronounced during or after menopause. Half of post-menopausal women aged 51-60 are affected by it.
But even younger women can experience the problem, with up to 17% of women aged between 18 and 50 reporting it as an issue.
There are many contributing factors, even aside from the drop in female hormones which happens during the menopause. Inadequate foreplay, the use of harsh or perfumed products used around the vaginal area and stress all play a role.
Vaginal dryness can make sex uncomfortable at best and downright painful if it is very severe. If the condition is serious, it is best to consult a doctor. However, liberal use of lubricant is a quick and easy solution for many women.
Thankfully lubricants now come in also sorts of flavours and with added extras such as ‘tingling sensation’ or ‘warmth’. Some of the more exotic will not only solve the vaginal dryness issue but also add a delicious new thrill to sex.
Arguably most sex is better with some form of extra lubricant. It will certainly aid the use of any sex toys. Try out different types and flavours to see which one works best for you.
Lubricants are widely available and can be easily bought either in pharmacies or online.