A hard pill to swallow about impotence drugs… Nowadays, there's an awful lot of hype about sexual performance - especially among the over-50 demographic. This is a relatively new phenomenon, though. It used to be that people in this age bracket didn't worry about HOW they were in bed - they were just grateful to BE in bed and having fun with someone they loved… But this begs the question: WHY is sexual performance all of a sudden such a big issue among aging baby-boomers? Of course, it's because of drugs. Specifically, that "little blue pill" that's all the rage. And it's also because of consumer-oriented drug ads on television - also a relatively new trend, since deregulation under the Clinton administration blurred the formerly strict line between the drug industry and the communications business… What's the harm in all this, you ask? Why is popping Viagra and other potency drugs to once again feel like a teenager again such a bad thing? For one thing, these drugs can cause people enormous (and risky) physical stress as they try to keep up with their libido-in-a-bottle. Now don't get me wrong - I'm not knocking after-50 sex. In fact, few things are more life affirming and invigorating than making love later in life… But let's act our ages while we do it, huh? A drug-induced, swing-from-the-chandelier sex marathon really isn't "conduct becoming," is it? Secondly, these drugs carry risks of their own, especially if you've got trouble with your ticker. Although the manufacturers are quick to insist that there's no conclusive PROOF that Viagra and other impotence drugs increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, arrhythmia, chest pains, and other heart-related conditions, evidence from the field strongly suggests otherwise. And now, there's even more substantiation of this disturbing correlation… According to a Reuter's online article, a panel that advises the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was recently convened to discuss how a new impotence drug (a Viagra competitor named Levitra made by Bayer/Glaxo) affects a key heart-function indicator called the QT interval - a measurement of the heart's electrical activity. An erratic or prolonged QT can leads to abnormal heartbeat patterns, which can be fatal. If these drugs are perfectly safe, as the makers suggest, why the need for the special advisory panel? In my opinion, any drug that can stimulate blood flow enough to overcome impotence may well pose a significant heart threat. And it's a risk you need not take to get great sex, either. Many natural substances, like yohimbine and especially maca root, can help pep up your love life. Besides, I think Viagra is mostly a placebo - someone should do a study to see how many men are still taking Viagra after a year. There might be some surprises. Glad I'm not a teenager anymore,
William Campbell Douglass II, MD | 
