Anyone who watches American television for more than an hour or two would think that erectile dysfunction is the most pressing health problem in the U.S. Several pharmaceutical companies, vying for the lucrative market that these drugs target, shower the airways with images of happy couples, their relationship sustained by one of these expensive products.
While there are legitimate medical conditions that warrant the prescription of these medications, the excessive advertising is a clue that the drug corporations have a wider audience in mind. Though the commercials focus on the lasting sexual relationship of middle age couples, it is clear that the media blitz is directed primarily at older men with younger partners: mistresses or second wives. In addition, the appropriate warning regarding "erections lasting more than four hours" is a clever hook to lure younger men who have doubts about their sexual prowess (which also explains the spam emails offering access to these drugs).
Though drug companies certainly have the right to advertise their products and to make profits, it is a sad commentary on American society that the E.D. commercials soak up airtime that could be used for more significant, widespread health issues. Once again, the message is that we have a drug for all of our problems; in this case, it also provides insight into the nature of male sexuality.
