Notice anything different on TV lately? No, not the conservative backlash restricting the airwaves as a result of the now infamous Super Bowl halftime incident. \nQuite the opposite, in fact. \nThe commercials for the drug Levitra, which treats erectile dysfunction, have become a little too steamy. A new sexy brunette is now looking you in the eye telling you how happy she is because her husband is on the miracle drug. The couple's sex life is greatly improved, and the sexy woman wants to tell you all about it.\nWhile some may argue these advertisements for prescription drugs bring awareness to a common male problem, we beg to disagree. The ads are, in reality, socially irresponsible.\nBy having a little sex kitten rave about her satisfaction, the drug company is detracting from the fact erectile dysfunction is a very serious medical condition. It may seem like just a little problem to some, but www.webmd.com explains the physical conditions causing erectile dysfunction "can be harbingers of more general, potentially dangerous conditions; for example, narrowing of the penile artery may indicate coronary artery disease."\nFunny, but it seems men who could have a heart problem shouldn't necessarily be enjoying the benefits of Levitra.\nYes, these ads do bring public awareness to a common medical condition and make it easier to discuss an embarrassing and often difficult-to-talk-about issue. However, one fact remains: erectile dysfunction is a medical condition.\nIt can be brought about by a variety of factors, and in this quick-fix society, a pill seems like the best answer. But the truth is only you and your doctor can decide what's best for your medical condition, not an ad. These commercials encourage people to make a self-diagnosis and visit their doctor demanding a prescription for what is often seen as merely a recreational drug.\nSure, that sexy brunette makes erectile dysfunction drugs seem like a very good idea, but drug companies need to exercise a little more responsibility and make sure people understand this is not a quick fix. Levitra's not for everyone, and people should take the drug seriously.\nSo next time you see that girl telling you how great things are going in her bedroom, take a second to realize it's because her husband and his doctor decided that was the best approach.
Dissent\nLevitra is a product that provides many men who have problems getting an erection with an easy solution. For some men, this problem goes far beyond a physical ailment. It is an issue of confidence that affects every aspect of their lives. \nBut some people are complaining Levitra ads are too racy, filled with unnecessary sexual innuendos about a serious issue like erectile dysfunction. \nHumor has always been a way for the public to deal with serious issues, including the attacks of Sept. 11.\nThese ads make men realize how this drug could benefit their and their spouse's lives. Let's not forget the ad department at GlaxoSmithKline is only doing its job and doing it well. These ads stay in people's minds and make them think about getting help for a serious medical problem.
-- Mike Malik
