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Metro
11 hours ago
- Health
- Metro
Map reveals UK areas with highest rates of erectile dysfunction
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try in the bedroom, the erection just doesn't want to happen. It's sometimes considered a relatively taboo subject, but erectile dysfunction is actually much more common than you might think – and it doesn't need to dim your shine. More than half of men have admitted to experiencing it (58.2%), while just over a quarter (27.3%) say it's cropped up during more than half of their sexual encounters. Hey, no stigma. Now, new research has revealed the top prescription hotspots for erectile dysfunction – and it shows that men in the East Riding of Yorkshire are coming out on top. Here, 3.5% of the local population are taking sildenafil on the NHS (also known under the brand names Viagra, Aronix, Liberize and Nipatra). Northumberland came in second place at 3.3%, while Dorset was ever so slightly behind at 3.2%. Up in Lancashire, Fylde and Wyre residents rank at 3.2%, as do the people of North Yorkshire. 'NHS provision of this treatment can vary from region to region, as can the ratio of underlying disease, which probably explains some of the differences,' consultant urologist Gordon Muir, of London Bridge Hospital, told The Sun of the NHS data. Sildenafil was first discovered by scientists at Pfizer in 1989, who at the time were working to create a treatment for angina (tightness in the chest). After various clinical trials, it was patented in 1996 and approved for use in both the UK and the US in 1998. Love reading juicy stories like this? Need some tips for how to spice things up in the bedroom? Sign up to The Hook-Up and we'll slide into your inbox every week with all the latest sex and dating stories from Metro. We can't wait for you to join us! These days, sildenafil is prescribed for those experiencing either erectile dysfunction or pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the blood vessels that supply the lungs), both by the NHS and private medical providers. However, Viagra mostly isn't available on the NHS, though exceptions are sometimes made for 'special circumstances.' It's worth noting that sildenafil isn't just available on prescription, as it's also possible to pay for it at the pharmacy. You'll need to discuss your symptoms with them, and they'll then assess whether it's safe for you to take it. Thinking about alternative ways to make your erection stronger? As Dr Jeff Foster, men's health specialist and advisor to proven ED topical gel Eroxon, previously told Metro, the little blue pill isn't the only option: a few simple lifestyle swaps might be just the ticket. Regular exercise can also help, particularly workouts to strengthen the pelvic floor and prevent erectile dysfunction, which strengthen the muscles needed to get hard. Likewise, the more aerobic exercises you do – any form of physical activity that increases your heart rate and how much oxygen your body uses, like running, brisk walking or swimming – the more blood flow to your penis, and the harder the erection. Have ever had an allergic reaction to sildenafil or any other medicine Are taking medicines called nitrates for chest pain (angina) Have a serious heart or liver problem Have recently had a stroke, heart attack or a heart problem – your doctor should carefully check whether your heart can take the additional strain of having sex Have low blood pressure (hypotension) Have a rare inherited eye disease, such as retinitis pigmentosa Have sickle cell anaemia (an abnormality of red blood cells), leukaemia (cancer of blood cells) or multiple myeloma (cancer of bone marrow) Have a deformity of your penis or Peyronie's disease (curved penis) Have a stomach ulcer Have a bleeding problem like haemophilia. Improving your diet can similarly go a long way. In 2018, a study published in Andrology concluded that men aged between 18 and 40 who consumed dietary flavones (a compound in food found in fruits, vegetables, tea and coffee) experienced a positive impact on improving erectile dysfunction and soft erections. More Trending Not resting enough? Poor sleep can similarly cause ED or soft erections, either through reduced testosterone levels or just straight up tiredness. A 2023 study of male students found that those with poor sleep quality had a 59.9% higher prevalence of mild ED and a 19% prevalence of moderate ED, compared to those with good sleep quality. So, if you're not sleeping well, it's worth following the 3-2-1 rule to level up your sex life. For three hours before bed, try to avoid consuming food and alcohol, and instead stick to water or herbal tea. Peppermint brew, anyone? View More » Then, two hours before, stop working and avoid any strenuous exercise. One hour before, shut off the screens (including your phone) and dim the lights. Hello, multiple tiny lamps. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: I'm desperate to lose my virginity but have a panic attack whenever I come close MORE: How I stopped feeling insecure when my partner didn't orgasm MORE: Map reveals UK cheating hotspot where the most people have been unfaithful


Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The Brits who need Viagra the most - as NHS figures show which areas show biggest demand for erectile dysfunction drug
New NHS figures have revealed which areas have the highest demand for Viagra. Men from Yorkshire are given the most prescriptions for Viagra or similar performance-aiding drugs. The East Riding of Yorkshire topped the table with 3.5 per cent of people needing the little blue pill. Coming in at a close second was Northumberland with 3.3 per cent of men using the pill. And in the coastal area of Dorset, which is popular with retirees, 3.2 per cent of men required the pill. On top of that men in the North used Viagra more often that men in the South last year. Those living in London, Cambridgeshire and Berkshire were far less likely to ask for a prescription. But only 1.5 per cent of men in Leicester were prescribed the drug - making it the area with the lowest rate of users in the UK. Consultant urologist Gordon Muir, of London Bridge Hospital, told the Sun: 'NHS provision of this treatment can vary from region to region, as can the ratio of underlying disease which probably explains some of the differences.' Most men occasionally struggle to get or keep an erection due to stress, tiredness, anxiety or drinking too much alcohol. But up to one in five men in the UK (4.3million) suffer erectile dysfunction - when this keeps happening. It can be caused by high blood pressure or cholesterol, hormone problems or side effects from medication. Medicines containing sildenafil, originally developed to treat angina, are often used to treat the condition. It expands blood vessels and boosts blood flow to the genitals. Viagra was originally cooked up by Covid vaccine manufacturer Pfizer in 1989, with hopes that sildenafil citrate could treat high blood pressure. But clinical trials in Wales a few years later saw men report an unusual side effect —they got more erections while taking the medication. The drug was approved in the US and EU in 1998, branded as Viagra, and became one of the fastest selling drugs of all time. Nearly half of men between the ages of 40 and 70 suffer from erectile dysfunction in the UK - this is around 4.3 million people. But reports suggest the 'little blue pill' is now becoming increasingly popular with younger individuals in their twenties and thirties. A 2020 survey of 5,000 people carried out for Upjohn, the maker of Viagra Connect, the over-the-counter version of the drug, showed that 18 per cent of 18-24-year-old men had erection difficulties. And more recently, the ease of getting the drug without a prescription seems to be fueling its popularity with a younger audience. Non-branded sildenafil can be available from the NHS, to treat erectile dysfunction or pulmonary hypertension.


Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
English region where men use most Viagra revealed – where does your town rank?
NHS stats show men in the North used the little blue pills much more often than in the South last year STIFF COMPETITION English region where men use most Viagra revealed – where does your town rank? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FELLAS from Yorkshire need most help rising to the occasion in the bedroom, according to new figures. Chaps in the county are given the most prescriptions for Viagra or similar drugs to aid performance. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 NHS stats show men in the North used the little blue pills much more often than in the South last year. The East Riding of Yorkshire, including the towns of Goole, Beverley and Bridlington, topped the table with 3.572 per cent needing them. But it faced stiff opposition from Northumberland with 3.359 per cent. Other Yorkshire towns where a high proportion of men needed a bedtime boost were Rotherham, Barnsley and Scarborough. Meanwhile, those in Dorset, including the coastal towns of Poole and Bournemouth which are popular with retired folk, also made the top five with 3.274 per cent. But fellas in large areas of London, Cambridgeshire and Berkshire were far less likely to get the prescription. Leicester had the lowest rate at 1.5 per cent. Consultant urologist Gordon Muir, of London Bridge Hospital, said: 'NHS provision of this treatment can vary from region to region, as can the ratio of underlying disease which probably explains some of the differences.' Inside UK's fake Viagra epidemic…agonising three-day effects, 50p hits and deadly drugs, drywall & ink used as 'fillers'


The Sun
a day ago
- Health
- The Sun
English region where men use most Viagra revealed – where does your town rank?
FELLAS from Yorkshire need most help rising to the occasion in the bedroom, according to new figures. Chaps in the county are given the most prescriptions for Viagra or similar drugs to aid performance. NHS stats show men in the North used the little blue pills much more often than in the South last year. The East Riding of Yorkshire, including the towns of Goole, Beverley and Bridlington, topped the table with 3.572 per cent needing them. But it faced stiff opposition from Northumberland with 3.359 per cent. Other Yorkshire towns where a high proportion of men needed a bedtime boost were Rotherham, Barnsley and Scarborough. Meanwhile, those in Dorset, including the coastal towns of Poole and Bournemouth which are popular with retired folk, also made the top five with 3.274 per cent. But fellas in large areas of London, Cambridgeshire and Berkshire were far less likely to get the prescription. Leicester had the lowest rate at 1.5 per cent. Consultant urologist Gordon Muir, of London Bridge Hospital, said: 'NHS provision of this treatment can vary from region to region, as can the ratio of underlying disease which probably explains some of the differences.' Inside UK's fake Viagra epidemic…agonising three-day effects, 50p hits and deadly drugs, drywall & ink used as 'fillers' 1