Vitaros

Vitaros(R), an ED drug by Elis, a UAE-based pharmaceutical company, will be presented to the Government and pharmacists in the Middle East, Africa and CIS countries. This drug is already approved in Canada and several other countries as the first topical ED treatment. The major advantage of this drug over other oral and other ED therapies is its form. Vitaros(R) is a cream that is applied directly to the penis, rather than a pill that takes longer to absorb. Also, it has less side effects and gives men more choices.

Commenting on the introduction of the drug onto the new markets, Mr. Assouma of Elis, said: “Because of Elis’ proven marketing strategies and the patient responses we’ve already experienced as part of our sampling program, we anticipate strong sales of Vitaros(R) in this region, where the total market for erectile dysfunction drugs is more than $100 million per year.”

Migraines and ED

According to the study performed by scientists from National Taiwan University’s College of Medicine, erectile dysfunction is linked to migraines.

Dr. Chao-Yuan Huang, the author of the study, and his colleagues studies 23,000 men of whom 25% had problems getting and maintaining erection. Of them, 4.25% were already diagnosed with migraine. Other factors that increase the risk of developing this disorder included age, heart problems and diabetes. As a result, scientists found out that men in the ED-group are 1.63 times more likely to suffer from migraines than men of sound sexual health.

American scientists found the study by Taiwanese colleagues unique and said that further research in this area is needed to learn more about male sexual health and migraines. As such, Ege Serefoglu, from the urology department at Tulane University School of Medicine, said they findings “need to be confirmed by other countries, other researchers, before we can really include migraine as a risk factor of erectile dysfunction or vice versa.”

Rambam Medical Centre Doctors

Probably this is due to the successful clinical trials, to the publications in three major medical journals or to the efficiency and pain-free technique of the treatment. The experimental treatment uses low-intensity shockwaves that stimulate the blood flow in penis.

The non-invasive procedure is not being offered not only in Israel but also in Scotland, UK by Spire Murrayfield Hospital. It is being offered in the form of regular visits to the clinic (12 visits over 9 weeks) at a low price of just 1,500 pounds.

The technique is being considered an alternative to traditional injections and medications like Cialis or Viagra.

Commenting on the success, Professor Yoram Vardi of Rambam Medical Centre, said: “During the past three years we have encountered a slow but steady shift from scepticism to gaining more and more encouragement and support from the medical community.”

Roland Donat of Spire Murrayfield Hospital, in his turn, said that “This treatment is a revolution in the management of erectile dysfunction. For the first time, we are able to cure some patients with [the condition] rather than treat them symptomatically.”

Relations

Scientists from Australian Deakin University performed a research that showed a close link between sexual issues and relationship between partners.

The research, performed by Christina Stefanou and professor Marita McCabe of Deakin’s School of Psychology among 127 people revealed that those who value intimacy and fear rejection have less sexual problems. In particular, women have less problems with sexual arousal, lubrication and orgasm, while men do not suffer from erectile dysfunction and ejaculation problems. In contrast, those who fell uncomfortable with closeness more often face erectile and sexual dysfunction and dissatisfaction.

Commenting on the findings, scientists said: “Rather than simply treating the symptoms of sexual dysfunction, treatment strategies may be more effective if they considered the psychological characteristics that impact on sexual behavior within relationships.”

You can take part in the research by Stefanou and McCabe by completing an online questionnaire.

Avanafil

Last Tuesday, Vivus, a pharmaceutical company, posted positive results from a trial of its new erectile dysfunction drug that is currently undergoing the review of the US Food and Drug Administration.

Avanafil, the experimental impotence drug, was proved to help 71% of patients to start the sexual intercourse within 15 minutes and after 6 hours after dosing.

In the 80% of cases, the 200-mg dose was sufficient for men suffering from ED, to get and maintain healthy erection.

The results of the clinical trial were published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

Commenting on the findings, Irwin Goldstein, the investigator of Avanafil, said: “While PDE-5 inhibitors are currently used as first-line therapy for treatment of erectile dysfunction in the general population, what’s new and novel about avanafil is that it has a fast onset of action and high selectivity.”

The drug will appear in US pharmacies provided it gets the approval from US FDA.

Sports enhance sexual function

According to the latest study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, men engaged into physical activity are less prone to erectile dysfunction than those who are inactive.

The study was performed among men aged 18 to 40. The participants of the study took part in 2 experiments: the Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire and the International Index of Erectile Function.

Both tests clearly showed that men under 40, who exercised, have improved results as compared to those over 40 who lived sedentary lives.

Commenting on the findings, Dr. Wayland Hsiao, assistant professor of urology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA, said: “We hope that early screening for ED may be a gateway issue to help motivate young men to live healthily on a consistent basis so that they can possibly avoid health issues associated with a sedentary lifestyle, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.”

A number of other studies that evaluate the correlation between sexual function and lifestyle have been published earlier by various researchers.

Viaguara Energy Drink

Recently, the confusion caused by the producer of an energy drink Viaguara was averted as the EU High Court made the decision.

The company was refused the right to register a trademark for its Viaguara energy and alcoholic drink. The EU High Court ruled that there are several reasons for that.

First, the Viagura name gives the producer an opportunity “to take unfair advantage of the distinctive character or repute of the trademark Viagra.”

Second, Viagra is a medical drug used to treat erectile dysfunction. It is a prescription drug, meaning that it can be sold only to those patients who have been prescribed to take Viagra by a doctor. Any confusion related to the name of the drug might have serious medical consequences. “Even if the non-alcoholic drinks concerned do not actually have the same benefits as a drug to treat erectile dysfunction, the consumer will be inclined to buy them thinking that he will find similar qualities, such as an increase in libido,” said the representative of the EU High Court.

The manufacturer of Viagra, Pfizer, warmly welcomed the court ruling.

Viagra might treat heart failure

The latest studies revealed that Viagra, the number one impotence drug in the world, is a great way to help patients suffering from diastolic heart failure.

This condition is characterized by abnormally inflexive ventricles that cannot get enough blood, which causes breathing difficulties.

Viagra is used to relax the heart due to the special enzyme that affects heart muscle cells.

The author of the study, Dr. Wolfgang Linke of the Ruhr Universitat Bochum in Bochum, Germany, said: “We have developed a therapy in an animal model that, for the first time, also raises hopes for the successful treatment of patients.”

The results of the study, which was held among dogs with diastolic heart failure, were published in late December in the Circulation journal.

Dr. Wolfgang Linke highlighted that the scientists already have “a molecular mechanism on hand to explain the effect” behind Viagra and that they plan to continue with the research.

Canadians and Sex

A recent survey conducted in Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland, Austria and other European countries, found out that Canadians are the least spontaneous in their sexual lives. The vast majority of respondents (67%) prefer to have sex on Saturdays, and usually have it 1.35 times a week.

Almost half of Canadians like evening sex, meaning they get into bed after 6 p.m.

Those who try to avoid sex typically cite tiredness and fatigue as their excuses. Also, women tend to complain about headaches, while men say they suffer from muscle pain. Interestingly enough, men are more likely to suspect women of excuses than vice versa.

The survey was performed by Eli Lilly and Co., the manufacturer of one of the most popular erectile drugs, Cialis. Over 13,000 men and women from the countries listed above participated in this online survey.

Commenting on the findings, Dr. Gerald Brock of the University of Western Ontario, said: those who do not have enough sex “simply don’t have the same quality of life as individuals who have a healthy sex life, There’s no question that when you restore that sexual activity and address their concerns, all measures show an improvement in overall quality of life.”

Viagra

Brits suffering from erectile dysfunction might soon face a restricted availability of ED drugs prescriptions under the National Health Service program.

Currently, NHS PCTs (primary care trusts) in a number of counties, including Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire, Berkshire East, Berkshire West and Buckinghamshire, have issued “recommendations” for general practitioners (GPs) to limit prescriptions of ED drugs. They believe that two tablets of Viagra, Levitra or Cialis a month is just enough for the patients.

Even though NHS spokespersons insist that “Any decision made by the PCT cannot prohibit prescribing, but will form a recommendation to GPs,” many GPs in fact say it is being presented as an edict.

Let’s remind that prescriptions of erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra and Cialis under the NHS scheme is already severely restricted. Only those suffering from diabetes, prostate cancer and multiple sclerosis are eligible for receiving free ED pills.