Erectile dysfunction: The Viagra revolution
It was a problem that few men talked about, preferring silent suffering to the shame and embarrassment associated with impotence. In 1992, an expert panel convened by the National Institutes of Health tried to remove the stigma by offering the term “erectile dysfunction” (ED) to replace “impotence,” which is derived from the Latin for “loss of power.” It was a good idea, but it didn’t help. But everything changed in the spring of 1998, when sildenafil (Viagra) burst on the scene. Within days, male sexuality was making headlines, and within weeks, sales of the little blue pill were making history.
Viagra has helped countless men with impotence, and it has spawned the development of two similar drugs, vardenafil (Levitra) and tadalafil (Cialis). But ED pills have created a stigma of their own; many men who cannot use or who don’t respond to them feel a new sense of shame and frustration. It’s a pity since effective alternatives are available.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
