How Viagra alters pillow talk

Using the impotence drug Viagra tends to prompt couples into changing how they communicate and deal with sexual dysfunction, a study shows.

Researchers at Canterbury University Annie Potts, Tiina Vares and Victoria Grace and Auckland University lecturer Nicola Gavey studied the sociocultural implications of Viagra and similar drugs.

One finding in their research, which surveyed 27 women whose partners used Viagra and 33 men who used it themselves, found the drug's use changed the way couples communicated.

Some people experiencing erectile dysfunction in a relationship were prompted into "a more open and shared relationship towards sex". Others developed problems with negotiating sex and Viagra use, Dr Potts said in the Canterbury University inhouse magazine Chronicle.

"What we found was that everyone had a very different experience," Dr Potts said.

"For some, an erection was not necessary for a pleasurable sexual relationship, as they explored alternative sexual activities ... and for some, talking openly had a positive effect."

Others were worried they were relying on a tablet too much and were trying to wean themselves off, she said.

Another discovery was that many of the study's participants, who were between the ages of 50 and 70, were reporting "active and satisfying sexual lives".

Dr Potts said several women and many men reported being more sexually active in older age.

"This would differ from what society probably assumes about older women's sexuality."

She said older men appeared more interested in valuing their relationships and were less self-motivated.

While there had already been some significant findings with the research, Dr Potts said there was still more investigation to be done.

- NZPA

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