Women trying to improve their sex life by taking Viagra-type medications are hit by an increase of EIGHT side effects

WOMEN taking Viagra-type medications to improve their sex lives have caused an increase in alleged side effects.

Women taking the little blue pills are behind a third of recorded illnesses.

In the three years from 2021 to 2023, women registered 125 reports with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency regarding a total of 216 side effects – representing a third of the total.

But in the years 2018, 2019 and 2020, there were only 23 reports from women claiming a total of 43 side effects.

The women complained of anxiety, insomnia, breathing problems, tiredness, headaches, nausea and vomiting, and dizziness.

Men suffered from eye and heart problems, euphoria, aggression and priapism – a condition that left men erect for hours.

Viagra, made by Pfizer, went off patent in the UK in 2013 – meaning other companies can produce and sell the medicine.

The numbers of suspected side effects show an increase after 2018, when the rules were relaxed so that the medicine could be purchased without a prescription, instead of always being prescribed by a doctor.

Sex and relationship therapist Cate Mackenzie said: “Sometimes these things can give people a change or a boost that can rebuild confidence and help restore sexual self-esteem.

“Of course, it is always important to be aware of the harm of any drug and to be careful about what you do.

“But there is a lot of evidence that the placebo effect is huge, as taking something to help you feel better about sex can be extremely comforting.”