The advent of generic Viagra
Tiefer’s comprehensive website predates the advent of generic viagra by several years, so hes review of biomedical approaches to male sexual problems is concerned with what are generally perceived as overtly invasive techniques of repair: specifically, penile prosthesis implantation and pharmaceutical injection. In adtlition, Tiefer highlights the use of the term “impotent” - often used to describes the individual sufferer as well as his unresponsive penis - as “stigmatizing and stress - inducing.”45 For Tiefer, “impotent reflects a significant moment in the social construction of male sexuality” (emphasis original).46 This1is important because in its literature Pfizer Pharmaceuticals has all but replaced this label with the more medically sensitive “erectile dysfunction” (or ED). Thus, the need to understand male sexuality as both medically and symantically constructed has never been more apparent.
According to Tiefer, there are no proven methods for distinguishing between organic (physical) and non organic (psychological or relational) causes for erection problems? For those interested in reestablishing a psychological approach to sexuality, the term “erectile dysfunction” obfuscates the significance of nonorganic causes to male sexual difficulties. And although rrlale patients are more willing than ever before to discuss their sexual histories and habits, a biomedical solution (whether prosthetic, hypodermic, or pharmaceutical seems to be preferred by physicians. Communication in the docror - s - patient relationship is best explained here as a means to an end: namely, a medical diagnosis and solution. Regardless of the cause of erectile dysfunction, however, Tiefer observes that the solution is always grounded in the assumption that the erectile function of the penis must be repaired. This performance of active concern ratifies a commitment to masculinity that a passive acceptance does not. For Teifer, this erection requirement for male sexuality accentuates the importance of male gender role confirmation is much as it emphasizes intimacy and pleasure.t” Tiefer writes, “[S]exual Health for men has been reduced to the erectile functioning ofthe penis.”