Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a term we hear frequently nowadays. On television, on the radio, in magazines, and on the internet, we are bombarded with advice on how to deal with ED, advertisements for medications to treat it, and articles for partners of the men who have it. With this apparently sudden explosion in interest, you’d be forgiven for thinking that ED was a 20th century invention.
Well, we can confirm that it wasn’t. As long as men have had penises (so, always), erectile dysfunction has been a hot topic, and doctors have been trying to combat it since time immemorial. The earliest recorded incidence of ED comes from India in the 8th century BC. The popular theory among doctors at the time was that ED was caused by having sex with “undesirable” women. Treatments included herbal medicines with additives from animals that were thought to increase desire or arousal. Alligators, mice, frogs, and sparrows were all animals that contributed to the concoctions of the time. Read in full
A cold sore is a painful blister that forms on or around your lip, or sometimes around your nose or eyes. It normally starts with a tingling sensation or itch, followed by painful blisters that may eventually break and ooze infectious liquid.
Though unpleasant, cold sores usually heal on their own within 7-10 days. Read in full
Your smartphone can help in an emergency even if you are unresponsive. Both iOS (iPhone) and Android have a standard feature in ‘Settings’ called Medical ID (iPhone) or Emergency information (Android) where information useful in an emergency is available to first responders and emergency room staff and is accessible from your locked phone screen.
Emergency workers are increasingly aware to check smartphones for this information:
medical conditions and notes
personal information
allergies
blood type
organ donation details
emergency contacts
The feature is similar to medical jewellery but can make a lot more information available. Be aware that the information you provide will also be available to anyone with your phone without unlocking it.
There are also a range of other free medical emergency apps available for smartphones such as Medical ID.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a surprisingly common ailment, affecting around 50% of men in the UK between the ages of 40 and 70. Given its prevalence, one might think treatment would be easy and straightforward; however, many men find that this is not the case. Since ED can be caused by a combination of factors, pinpointing the cause is the first step in treating erectile dysfunction. For some men their medication is the culprit, and ED can be remedied by changing the dosage or substituting the medication for another drug. If the problem is relationship troubles, therapy can be effective.
If the cause isn’t clear-cut, however, men have many different options to explore to help reduce or reverse symptoms. Read in full
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a very real and debilitating disorder that affects about 22% of men between the ages of 20 and 75. With the advent of erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil), Levitra (vardenafil), and Spedra (avanafil), in the late 90s brought about a ‘second sexual revolution’. These drugs soared in popularity, and men everywhere realised that they were not alone in their struggle with erectile dysfunction.
In this day and age, men have more options than ever before to treat erectile dysfunction. However, the first step is the same for all treatment options: seek professional help. This is easier said than done, as one study shows that 74% of ED sufferers aged 50 and older did not discuss their sexual dysfunction issues with their doctor. While erectile dysfunction is a highly personal issue, rest assured that your doctor HAS seen and heard it all before. ED is a legitimate health condition that requires proper medical attention, and men should always consult a doctor before obtaining treatment. Read in full
Pfizer, the pharmaceutical company that developed Viagra (sildenafil), has applied to the UK medicines regulator (MHRA) to reclassify it’s erectile dysfunction (ED) drug from prescription-only to ‘P’ (Pharmacy). This would allow pharmacies to sell sildenafil over the counter without a prescription.
The application is for sildenafil 50mg only in a maximum pack size of 8 tablets. Sildenafil tablets are available on prescription in strengths of 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg in pack sizes of four and eight tablets.
The move follows the expiry of Pfizer’s exclusive patent for Viagra in 2013. After the patent expired other pharmaceutical companies, apart from Pfizer, have been permitted to supply their own sildenafil tablets, sometimes known as generic Viagra.
The application has support from the pharmacy industry: “Sildenafil is one of the most counterfeited medicines,” said Royal Pharmaceutical Society president Martin Astbury, with many men “resorting to the internet to buy medication”. Read in full
No. While Boots is the most ubiquitous high-street pharmacy in the UK, it is often not the cheapest option for many medicines, and not for men requiring Propecia to treat male pattern hair loss.
Currently (March 2022) Boots sell finasteride tablets from 82p each – this is for generic finasteride 1mg, not branded Propecia from Merck. Boots sell Propecia from £1.19 per tablet.
How to buy from Boots
To buy Propecia from Boots you will need to register with the Boots Hair Loss Online Clinic, and complete a medical questionnaire. After 2 days you can either pick-up your order from a Boots store or local Post Office, or have it delivered
Dr Fox also provides a mail order option for just 38p per tablet (plus small prescription fee and P&P). Dr Fox also provides branded Propecia. Read in full
ASDA is now (September 2018) not the cheapest option to buy Malarone anti-malaria tablets, and it may not be the most convenient option for many people either.
ASDA sell Malarone tablets for £1.25 each and provide the choice of branded GSK Malarone or non-branded generic Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil). Both are medically identical and equally effective (no anti-malaria tablet is 100% effective).
How to buy from ASDA
To buy Malarone from ASDA you will need to:
Find a local branch with an in-store pharmacy.
Book an appointment with the pharmacist at the ASDA store (for each person requiring tablets).
At the appointment complete a medical questionnaire (10-15 mins).
The pharmacist will assess your information and dispense the appropriate tablets.
Order online with fast delivery
Dr Fox provides a convenient mail order option for £1.09 per tablet (plus small prescription fee and P&P). Read in full
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a term we hear frequently nowadays. On television, on the radio, in magazines, and on the internet, we are bombarded with advice on how to deal with ED, advertisements for medications to treat it, and articles for partners of the men who have it. With this apparently sudden explosion in interest, you’d be forgiven for thinking that ED was a 20th century invention.
A 
Emergency workers are increasingly aware to check smartphones for this information:
Pfizer, the pharmaceutical company that developed Viagra (sildenafil), has 
No. While Boots is the most 
ASDA is now (September 2018) not the cheapest option to buy Malarone anti-malaria tablets, and it may not be the most convenient option for many people either.