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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask why the NHS funds viagra?

129 replies

crunchymint · 05/06/2018 22:01

Yes only men who are impotent due to medical problems get viagra on the NHS. But last year there were nearly 3 million prescriptions issued for viagra. Is this really the best use of NHS money?

OP posts:
Smidge001 · 05/06/2018 22:17

Stupid thread.

Are you basically saying that unless illness is life threatening, nothing should be prescribed on the NHS then?
Surprised you stop there really. It's hardly necessary to the human race that we prolong or improve anyone's lives really. We're over populated and it would probably be in our best interests to let others cark it. Hmm

Stupid thread.

MyOtherUsernameisaPun · 05/06/2018 22:18

Women who struggle to orgasm or enjoy penetrative sex do get treatment on the NHS - and not in the form of vibrators Hmm

There is a difference between not having sex because you don't have a partner and not having sex because there is a physical impediment. In the former case it's still an option for you. In the latter it isn't.

Sex isn't a strict medical need but for many people it's a really important part of maintaining a healthy and happy relationship. We treat and provide lots of things on the NHS that aren't strict medical necessities - acne, warts, birth control, infertility. This is a good thing!

JacquesHammer · 05/06/2018 22:19

Try asking anyone with problems related to women’s reproductive health whether their issues are given any credence at all.

The answer is no.

Original poster
crunchymint · 05/06/2018 22:19

Pun What help does the NHS give to women who can not orgasm?

OP posts:
marshmy · 05/06/2018 22:19

vibrators on the nhs.. i wish Grin

Rinoachicken · 05/06/2018 22:20

Don’t waste your time, OP isn’t interested in any facts that might get in the way of their man hating agenda on this thread

Mousefunky · 05/06/2018 22:21

Cheaper than prescribing counselling or anti depressants if it led to MH issues down the line. ED is a debilitating condition for many.

MyOtherUsernameisaPun · 05/06/2018 22:22

I think it's totally reasonable to make the point that women's health issues aren't always taken seriously or properly investigated because that is documented and true.

But suggesting that the solution is to stop prescribing viagra - an inexpensive and effective remedy which helps thousands of perfectly nice normal men have happy relationships with their partners, is ridiculous. Men should be able to have penetrative sex if they and their partners want to. If we can solve that problem simply, then great. That has literally nothing to do with us also needing to solve conditions which primarily affect women.

Original poster
crunchymint · 05/06/2018 22:22

Some areas have sexual therapists on the NHS. I know ours doesnt, or the neighbouring city. And they only offer a limited number of sessions.

www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/female-sexual-problems/

OP posts:
Justanotherlurker · 05/06/2018 22:23

This is just as goady as the other goady posts.

Take off the "it must be men posting" angle and why is X funded on the NHS, in some circumstances, is a valid criticism.

You can have an issue with the threads posted without trying to score some inane point and and pour more fuel onto the fire.

Original poster
crunchymint · 05/06/2018 22:25

It is a genuine issue. Viagra is available over the counter. Men could easily buy it themselves if they want to have sex.

OP posts:
MyOtherUsernameisaPun · 05/06/2018 22:25

What help does the NHS give to women who can not orgasm?

Therapy if the issue stems from trauma or other psychological roots

Vaginal dilation for vaginismus

Lubrication for vaginal dryness

HRT if it's an oestrogen / testosterone problem

Treatment for underlying conditions like depression or diabetes

Viagra - sometimes prescribed for women (albeit much less frequently than for men)

Loftyswops988 · 05/06/2018 22:25

A friend of mine has MS and he gets it on the NHS as he struggles. I don't understand why anyone would have a problem with that? Of course sex isn't needed but there are two people in relationships and sex is a healthy and important part of being with someone

TalbotAMan · 05/06/2018 22:26

Well, first the NHS pays the drug company around £1.20 for a month's supply of Viagra or its equivalent. If the man pays an £8.80 prescription charge(and yes, many don't) then even if you allow for the pharmacy fee (complicated but as best I can make out it would be £1.25 on a simple dispensing of pre-packaged tablets) the NHS actually makes a profit on the deal.

Second, the reason a man takes Viagra is so that he can have sex. In the vast majority of cases that will be with a woman with whom he has a long-term relationship. I understand that many women in such long-term relationships actually enjoy having sex with their male partner and so are quite happy that his impotence has been treated. And so it benefits both.

MyOtherUsernameisaPun · 05/06/2018 22:27

It is a genuine issue. Viagra is available over the counter. Men could easily buy it themselves if they want to have sex

So it's ok for men to solve their health problems as long as they have the financial means to do so - got it.

Presumably women should also be buying their own birth control over the counter too? Condoms are available if they don't want to get pregnant so let's stop prescribing the pill as a contraceptive. Never mind if it's more effective or convenient - they don't have a right to have penetrative sex after all!

Diangled · 05/06/2018 22:27

My DH has stage 4 cancer. Part of the treatment for prolonging his life has removed all of his testosterone & therefore his ability to obtain an erection. He is entitled to 4 viagra a month on the NHS. Why should he (& actually I definitely get the benefit of them!) not be entitled to them?
Not to worry though, he won’t be a drain on the NHS into old age.....

FuelledByButter · 05/06/2018 22:29
  1. Viagra prescribed to men who have erectile dysfunction really helps their partners (sometimes female!) enjoy a sex life Grin
  2. I am a woman and I have had vagifem and oestrogen cream prescribed to me to alleviate dryness and other symptoms due to the menopause which were affecting my sex life.
Hth
JacquesHammer · 05/06/2018 22:30

So it's ok for men to solve their health problems as long as they have the financial means to do so - got it

Actually don’t you think we all have a social responsibility to do that IF we can afford it?

So I have a medical exemption certificate which covers everything. I don’t use it because I can afford to pay for my prescriptions.

I think whatever the medication if you can afford it you should purchase it.

Original poster
crunchymint · 05/06/2018 22:32

Pun No apart from treatment for vaginismus, HRT and underlying medical problems, all those other things are extremely hard to get on the NHS. So many areas do not have any sexual therapists under the NHS at all.

OP posts:
BananaToffo · 05/06/2018 22:33

This is a really stupid, ignorant thread.

A healthy sex life is actually considered really important physically, emotionally and psychologically.

There are plenty of therapies offered to women going through similar issues. There's no female equivalent of Viagra because no one's developed one yet.

siwel123 · 05/06/2018 22:33

Why do women get birth control?they don't need to have sex so shouldn't get pregnant surely? So why does the NHS pay for that then?

Original poster
crunchymint · 05/06/2018 22:34

A healthy sex life is actually considered really important physically, emotionally and psychologically.
Lots of women do not orgasm. It is not considered important for them.

OP posts:
missyB1 · 05/06/2018 22:34

It’s interesting how on the ivf thread posters were queuing up to say the NHS shouldn’t fund that as “having a child is a lifestyle choice not a medical need”.

But on this thread everyone is up in arms at the suggestion of not funding Viagra.....

siwel123 · 05/06/2018 22:36

But they can still have sex. Men with erectile dysfunction can't have sex if they can't get it hard Hmm.
Fucking idiot.

HeedMove · 05/06/2018 22:37

They fund it because its a medical need and sex is very important aspect for alot of people to maintain a happy and healthy marriage. Sex may not be important to you but it is to alot of other people.