Once solely deemed “an older man’s drug,” Viagra and other erectile dysfunction medications are now becoming commonplace in younger men’s lives
There has been a rapid increase in sales of male-potency drugs used for sex stimulation, according to the latest report. The data, from market research firm Pharmarack, says there has been a 17 per cent year-on-year increase in sales of sex stimulant products like Viagra and Cialis – being used by young men.
The Economic Times has attributed this trend to a growing willingness among young people to address sexual concerns and enhance their sex lives. According to the reports, the sale of Sildenafil - the active ingredient in Viagra used for treating erectile dysfunction, has reached Rs 525 crores in the 12 months ending September 2023, marking a 15 per cent rise from Rs 456 crores in the previous year.
Similarly, Tadalafil brands experienced a 19 per cent growth in sales during the same period, climbing from Rs 205 to Rs 244 crores, according to Pharmarack. The data also suggests that sales of sex stimulant and potency-enhancing pills reached a total of Rs 829 crores in the 12 months leading up to September this year.
Why is the demand for potency-enhancing pills growing?
Once solely deemed “an older man’s drug,” Viagra and other erectile dysfunction medications are now becoming commonplace in younger men’s lives. According to experts, young men rely on this little blue pill when they have no physiological impediment.
Viagra has been around for over two decades now. It came to the market to treat angina and high blood pressure but became a "magic” drug for erectile dysfunction, specifically in older males.
Many experts feel it is something new to try for fun. Also, pharmaceutical company officials feel that heightened demand for these medications presents a shift towards more open attitudes regarding sexual behaviour and exploration. “Companies are capitalizing on this demand by actively launching new products, confident in their swift sales due to the high demand. Ayurvedic pills constitute a significant portion of this demand," an official stated to ET.
According to data by Future Market Insights, another factor is the growth of the global middle class and the increase in disposable income – which has led people to invest more in their health and well-being, including sexual health. In developing countries like India, rising income levels are driving demand for high-quality and premium sexual enhancement supplements.
The influence of social media – which is increasingly promoting and normalizing the use of supplements and products to enhance sexual performance and well-being, has also helped remove the stigma around sexual health and has made people more open to seeking solutions to their sexual health problems.
Experts also feel that due to advances in product innovation, there has also been the development of new and improved sexual enhancement supplements, which are more effective and have fewer side effects. Moreover, the government is also promoting the use of natural and herbal products, and this is further fuelling the growth of the sexual enhancement supplements market in India.
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