Ten years ago this March the US Food and Drug Administration approved Viagra to treat erectile dysfunction, E D for short.  Since then over 35 million men have taken the drug worldwide.  What was once a taboo subject has become a much more approachable subject.  It has also spawned a joke industry all of its own too.  Most important, Viagra has helped many men to continue their sex lives when previously they would have just had to accept that ageing and sex did not go together.  Men with prostate problems, diabetes and cardiovascular disease can now enjoy sex once more.

Before Viagra various mechanical solutions were offered and their very nature was enough to turn most people off not on.   It is surprising to learn that the development of this remedy was almost an accident.  Pfizer scientists were searching for a drug to treat angina and tested a PDE5 enzyme blocker thinking that it would expand blood vessels and allow increased blood flow to the heart.  Tests highlighted side effects, the most interesting of which was unexpected erections.  Research shifted track mid stream and a treatment for erectile dysfunction was born.  It was followed by similar treatments Cialis and Levitra from Eli Lilly & Co and Schering-Plough.