A broken heart: the danger of ignoring erection problems

Viagra and similar products are back in the news again. Men who self-prescribe these pills to boost a flagging libido are in danger of ignoring an early sign of a damaged heart, men were warned earlier this month. Now a survey of more sexually active males suggests drugs are not the best solution, anyway.

German urologist Professor Hartmut Porst told the Third World Congress on Men's Health in Vienna that 'many patients with erectile dysfunction have cardiovascular disease without knowing it.' He said that because the blood vessels in the genitals were smaller than those in the heart, a decline in their efficiency could suggest future heart disease. For this reason it was important to consult a doctor over any erection problems.

Meanwhile, attendance at this year's Erotica Show - apparently the UK's single largest showcase of sex toys - was up by 22%.  But over 80% of attendees surveyed cited communication as the most important ingredient for sexual fulfilment.

'There's no getting away from the basics,' says psychosexual therapist Paula Hall, 'Couples who feel close and intimate have better sex. Sex toys are an excellent way of adding novelty and interest into a sexual relationship, but if you want true eroticism you have to learn to talk about your sexual needs'. The market in drugs for male sexual dysfunction is estimated to rise to a whopping £1.77 billion by 2007 but unless couples talk to each other about sex, most of the pills will stay in the bedside drawer.

'The message is clear,' says Dr Ian Banks, president of the Men's Health Forum. 'Don't self medicate with these drugs. If you have a problem talk to your partner and talk to your doctor. A check up can rule out any more serious problems like heart disease or diabetes and, in 80% of cases, the physical cause of the impotence can also be treated.'