The number of men being prescribed erectile dysfunction drugs in Bury has increased. 

New figures show that numbers have risen over the past few years and it is thought that one of the reasons behind this could be due to increased awareness and a lessening stigma.

According to the Open Prescribing Service, 15,728 prescriptions for erectile dysfunction drugs were given out in the former NHS Bury CCG area in the year up to June.

The numbers show a gradual year-by-year increase as the previous year saw 15,595 drugs prescribed, and 15,097 in 2017-18, when the figures were first recorded.

The Royal College of GPs (RCGP) said there are likely to be a variety of reasons why prescriptions for erectile dysfunction medication are rising.

Professor Martin Marshall, chairman of the RCGP, said: "It may indicate a lessening stigma around erectile dysfunction (ED) and the increasing awareness of its treatments, as well as patients feeling more comfortable to come forward for treatment.

"One of the most well-known drugs – sildenafil, which is widely known as Viagra – which also came ‘off licence’ in recent years, making it cheaper."

Across England, there were the equivalent of 20 ED prescriptions for every 100 men aged 18 and over in the country last year.

Rates varied between 36 per 100 adult males in the Blackpool area and just 14 per 100 around the North West of London.

Prof Marshall said GPs follow strict guidelines when prescribing generic sildenafil and will only issue an NHS prescription if there is one of a list of specific medical reasons to do so.

He added: “Erectile dysfunction can be a disturbing condition for many men which can impact on patient's mental health and limit their ability to have healthy sexual relationships."

The figures used for Bury show the number of times medication has appeared on prescriptions, but do not show the quantity of medication given.

For more information on the figures see here.

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