We’re all keen on having a very merry Christmas.
For some, merriness means getting plenty of presents. For others it’s about sipping mulled wine by a fire. And for others, it’s the ability to have fulfilling sex.
Improving your sex life isn’t just down to the purchase of mince pie lube (just had a search for this and it doesn’t exist, which is, quite frankly, appalling) or a festive cock ring. For many it’s about relying on the use of medication to get a full-on erection.
We’re not too shocked to learn, then, that pharmacies report a massive increase in the number of prescriptions for erectile dysfunction medication they fill out in the months closer to Christmas time.
According to figures released by Oxford Online Pharmacy, the highest peaks for prescriptions for erection boosting drugs such as Viagra fall in the last week of November and early December.
The pharmacy revealed that on average it sells 657 prescriptions for erectile dysfunction medication in an average month, but between 20 November and December in 2015, it sold 1,060 prescriptions – an increase of more than 60%.
Last Christmas, the same time period saw the sale of 933 prescriptions – a rise of 41% from the average.
Now, we can’t blame people for stocking up. When it’s chilly, you’re off work, and you’re in the midst of cuffing season, a desire to have enjoyable sex becomes even more pressing. If you were already using erectile dysfunction medication, it makes sense that you might get a top-up before Christmas.
The increase may also be down to the increased likelihood of spontaneous sex (think Christmas parties and smooches under the mistletoe), as well as the additional stress that can pile on over the festive period.
Stress, along with alcohol consumption (which tends to increase around Christmas too), can have a severe impact on your ability to maintain an erection. And so it makes sense that stressy, booze-fueled months may see a rise in the number of people keen to take medication.
Oxford Online Pharmacy owner Stuart Gale said: ‘Christmas can be a pressure pot of financial worries and emotional stress and for men this can impact them physically, manifesting as a difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection.
‘Medication to treat this condition is limited on the NHS and this, combined with the removal of stigma around ED, and the emergence of legitimate online doctor and pharmacy services, has led to more and more men going online to access treatment.’
It’s worth noting that if you’re planning to take erectile dysfunction medication for the first time – whether that’s because you’re feeling stressed, are newly struggling with erections, or just plan to have a lot of sex over Christmas – it’s wise to consult with your GP first.
More: Health
While erectile dysfunction is usually down to age and stress, any sudden changes in erection should be checked with your doctor to ensure nothing else is going on. Plus, no medication should be taken without the recommendation or advice of your doctor.
There’s a lot of stuff to consider when taking erectile dysfunction medication, from side effects including nausea and dizziness to how much you can safely drink. Don’t take getting a prescription likely or pop pills with wild abandon – even over Christmas. Chat to your doctor first.
MORE: It’s totally OK to like pegging if you’re a straight man – 7 guys tells us why
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We’re all keen on having a very merry Christmas.
For some, merriness means getting plenty of presents. For others it’s about sipping mulled wine by a fire. And for others, it’s the ability to have fulfilling sex.
Improving your sex life isn’t just down to the purchase of mince pie lube (just had a search for this and it doesn’t exist, which is, quite frankly, appalling) or a festive cock ring. For many it’s about relying on the use of medication to get a full-on erection.
We’re not too shocked to learn, then, that pharmacies report a massive increase in the number of prescriptions for erectile dysfunction medication they fill out in the months closer to Christmas time.
According to figures released by Oxford Online Pharmacy, the highest peaks for prescriptions for erection boosting drugs such as Viagra fall in the last week of November and early December.
The pharmacy revealed that on average it sells 657 prescriptions for erectile dysfunction medication in an average month, but between 20 November and December in 2015, it sold 1,060 prescriptions – an increase of more than 60%.
Last Christmas, the same time period saw the sale of 933 prescriptions – a rise of 41% from the average.
Now, we can’t blame people for stocking up. When it’s chilly, you’re off work, and you’re in the midst of cuffing season, a desire to have enjoyable sex becomes even more pressing. If you were already using erectile dysfunction medication, it makes sense that you might get a top-up before Christmas.
The increase may also be down to the increased likelihood of spontaneous sex (think Christmas parties and smooches under the mistletoe), as well as the additional stress that can pile on over the festive period.
Stress, along with alcohol consumption (which tends to increase around Christmas too), can have a severe impact on your ability to maintain an erection. And so it makes sense that stressy, booze-fueled months may see a rise in the number of people keen to take medication.
Oxford Online Pharmacy owner Stuart Gale said: ‘Christmas can be a pressure pot of financial worries and emotional stress and for men this can impact them physically, manifesting as a difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection.
‘Medication to treat this condition is limited on the NHS and this, combined with the removal of stigma around ED, and the emergence of legitimate online doctor and pharmacy services, has led to more and more men going online to access treatment.’
It’s worth noting that if you’re planning to take erectile dysfunction medication for the first time – whether that’s because you’re feeling stressed, are newly struggling with erections, or just plan to have a lot of sex over Christmas – it’s wise to consult with your GP first.
More: Health
While erectile dysfunction is usually down to age and stress, any sudden changes in erection should be checked with your doctor to ensure nothing else is going on. Plus, no medication should be taken without the recommendation or advice of your doctor.
There’s a lot of stuff to consider when taking erectile dysfunction medication, from side effects including nausea and dizziness to how much you can safely drink. Don’t take getting a prescription likely or pop pills with wild abandon – even over Christmas. Chat to your doctor first.
MORE: It’s totally OK to like pegging if you’re a straight man – 7 guys tells us why
MORE: A beginner’s guide to rimming
