Viagra -- RCC's stance?

[whatevergirl]

Ok. I don’t know if I’ve seen any threads on this topic here…so I’m going to ask the question. Is taking Viagra, or another form of it, moral? We talk about preventing pregnancy through contraception on here quite a bit…and the RCC’s stance on it.

We talk about artificial insemination quite a bit, and the RCC’s stance on that. What about taking something to enhance one’s sexual performance??

I gotta say–I’m so sick and tired of the Viagra commercials. These commercials are on at all hours of the day…disgusting commercials talking about the gross side effects. I don’t want to hear this. I just wish they’d stop with them already…

 

[1ke]

Viagra corrects a defect and facilitates the marital act. It is not immoral to use it for this purpose.

 

[whatevergirl]

Viagra corrects a defect and facilitates the marital act. It is not immoral to use it for this purpose.

Okay–that makes sense. I’m still tired of the commercials though–I think they are too intrusive.

 

[Mirror_Mirror]

I have read a thread about this befroe (I think) and in that it stated that there was no “official” church teaching that condemns this as a sinful act. I think that, based upon what it does, as long as the marital act is procreative and unitive that it is fine.

I agree that I am tired of the commercials as well.

 

[tamccrackine]

often makes me wonder what some of the older women (those that have reached menopause and are enjoying a chaste marriage after years and years of sex) think about their DH’s and if he uses this. I remember when it first came out that my grandmother swore up and down she’d shoot her husband if he came home with that stuff from the doc. She always told me sex was fun but it’s so highly overglorified that who would want, after 50+ plus years of it, to keep it going when it was obviously not enjoyable anymore for the woman. (She had issues that must have prevented her enjoyment and my grandfather wasn’t the most considerate of men in the idea that sex was supposed to be mutually pleasing)

But I wouldn’t think the RCC is against Viagra… and I’m with you… I get tired of the commercials. Especially when I can’t get the remote to mute or pause it fast enough so I’ve got my 5 and 7 year old asking “What’s erectile dysfunction?”

 

[whatevergirl]

often makes me wonder what some of the older women (those that have reached menopause and are enjoying a chaste marriage after years and years of sex) think about their DH’s and if he uses this. I remember when it first came out that my grandmother swore up and down she’d shoot her husband if he came home with that stuff from the doc. She always told me sex was fun but it’s so highly overglorified that who would want, after 50+ plus years of it, to keep it going when it was obviously not enjoyable anymore for the woman. (She had issues that must have prevented her enjoyment and my grandfather wasn’t the most considerate of men in the idea that sex was supposed to be mutually pleasing)

But I wouldn’t think the RCC is against Viagra… and I’m with you… I get tired of the commercials. Especially when I can’t get the remote to mute or pause it fast enough so I’ve got my 5 and 7 year old asking “What’s erectile dysfunction?”

exactly…that’s what is upsetting about it. My 11 year old now knows what Viagra is. I mean, I’m not a prude, but these commercials should be aired after 10pm, IMO.

Well…I was wondering what the RCC says about it–thanks for your answers!

 

[mapleoak]

I gotta say–I’m so sick and tired of the Viagra commercials. These commercials are on at all hours of the day…disgusting commercials talking about the gross side effects. I don’t want to hear this. I just wish they’d stop with them already…

A sure way to stop them, throw out the TV. I did years ago and never missed it.

In Christ - J.M.J.
Mapleoak

 

[whatevergirl]

A sure way to stop them, throw out the TV. I did years ago and never missed it.

In Christ - J.M.J.
Mapleoak

really? I’m not a huge tv watcher…but throwing out the tv…hmmm… wow, that takes a brave decision!!! my husband would be lost without his sports, i’m afraid. hee hee

 

[childofmary1143]

really? I’m not a huge tv watcher…but throwing out the tv…hmmm… wow, that takes a brave decision!!! my husband would be lost without his sports, i’m afraid. hee hee

this is the thing about TV. We focus so much on the shows but the commercials I find are 10 times worse. You can block out certain shows to your kids but how about the commercials? It’s tough for sure. The only solution might be is to tape the show and fast forward the commercials.

 

[Pope_Noah_I]

I don’t know, sometimes the Church’s teaching on sexuality seens a bit too liberal…

 

[drafdog]

I love it. Anything to help a woman get pregnant is okay, but anything to delay it is mortally sinful. Doesn’t anyone else here notice the imbalance in this?
I don’t think I like the idea of recreational drugs anyway.

Matthew

 

[CCM08]

I think when used to correct a phyiscal or pyschological problem of someone within the age range that sexual relations are normal it’s fine. But as other posters have noted, it’s wrong when one spouse is using it without the other’s premission. While you’d never think this for soceity these days, it is perfectly normal and natural for people to lose interest in sex as they age. It’s a God given fail safe to protect women that are too old to bare children.

As to the commerical issue, I don’t think RX drugs need to be advertised on TV period. If you’re having a problem you go speak with your doctor. A doctor is certainly knowledgable about what drugs are out there, it is completely unneccessary to advertise such a product. Sadly viagra ads are among the more tasteful for ED drugs.

 

[whatevergirl]

I love it. Anything to help a woman get pregnant is okay, but anything to delay it is mortally sinful. Doesn’t anyone else here notice the imbalance in this?
I don’t think I like the idea of recreational drugs anyway.

Matthew

Hi Matthew–thanks for your post.
I would like to know how many men use it…who are not married? Who are dating women much younger…just curious as to that. I have read that Hugh Hefner uses it…

…kinda makes my point for why I think it’s not a smart drug to have on the market. It sort of sets a tone that men should feel badly if they cannot ‘perform.’ Like…YOU NEED THIS DRUG or you are a loser, or something. I dunno…I don’t like the whole idea of it, personally…although, if used in a marriage, it makes sense.

But…think about it. Are most of the users of Viagra men at ages where their wives are of child bearing ages?? I doubt it. Maybe some…but that is not even the age that is being portrayed in the commercials.

Oh well…who knows?

 

[drifting_away]

I think the use of viagra is reprehensable. It’s totally normal for some men to lose the ability to get an erection, especially when they have other health problems and are getting older. It usually happens after people have had children already. Spiritual people shouldn’t be so attached to sexual pleasure. Also, viagra has potentially dangerous side effects. Not having sex doesn’t.

I can’t believe the way the Church will go along with something like viagra. It just doesn’t make sense, when on the other hand it condemns surgical sterilization, even when a pregnancy endangers a mother’s life. I think the Seventh Day Adventists have a better approach to health by encouraging healthy eating and living in a natural way.

 

[drifting_away]

I love it. Anything to help a woman get pregnant is okay, but anything to delay it is mortally sinful. Doesn’t anyone else here notice the imbalance in this?
I don’t think I like the idea of recreational drugs anyway.

Matthew

Yes, I notice an imbalance. This viagra craze makes me sick and I’m sick of getting spam about it too. Viagra is a recreational drug that has dangerous potential side effects. People use it for pleasure, not baby making…

 

[whatevergirl]

I think the use of viagra is reprehensable. It’s totally normal for some men to lose the ability to get an erection, especially when they have other health problems and are getting older. It usually happens after people have had children already. Spiritual people shouldn’t be so attached to sexual pleasure. Also, viagra has potentially dangerous side effects. Not having sex doesn’t.

I can’t believe the way the Church will go along with something like viagra. It just doesn’t make sense, when on the other hand it condemns surgical sterilization, even when a pregnancy endangers a mother’s life. I think the Seventh Day Adventists have a better approach to health by encouraging healthy eating and living in a natural way.

Can someone point me to some actual proof of the RCC’s stance is? Not that I don’t believe anyone here… Just would like to see some actual documentation on it.

I too think that we have become a Viagra obsessed society…if we cannot do something naturally…let’s manufacture it…and it does have dangerous side effects.

 

[francesco920]

Okay–that makes sense. I’m still tired of the commercials though–I think they are too intrusive.

I agree with you 100% about the commercials!!! The viagra, cialis, and “natural enhancement” commercials were one reason why I decided to limit my TV experience to ETWN

 

[whatevergirl]

I agree with you 100% about the commercials!!! The viagra, cialis, and “natural enhancement” commercials were one reason why I decided to limit my TV experience to ETWN

Yeah…and then, shortly after those commercials…you’ll see commercials for condoms and oral birth control. Hmmm…we live in a bizarre society.

 

[ThuribleGuy45]

I think when used to correct a phyiscal or pyschological problem of someone within the age range that sexual relations are normal it’s fine. But as other posters have noted, it’s wrong when one spouse is using it without the other’s premission. While you’d never think this for soceity these days, it is perfectly normal and natural for people to lose interest in sex as they age. It’s a God given fail safe to protect women that are too old to bare children.

As to the commerical issue, I don’t think RX drugs need to be advertised on TV period. If you’re having a problem you go speak with your doctor. A doctor is certainly knowledgable about what drugs are out there, it is completely unneccessary to advertise such a product. Sadly viagra ads are among the more tasteful for ED drugs.

What is “the age range that sexual relations are normal?” I thought that intimacy was acceptable between married couple of ANY age, including post-menopausal couples. Is marital intimacy above a certain age considered sinful?

 

[whatevergirl]

What is “the age range that sexual relations are normal?” I thought that intimacy was acceptable between married couple of ANY age, including post-menopausal couples. Is marital intimacy above a certain age considered sinful?

It is acceptable at any age…but, should we be buying pleasure? We’re not talking a simple lubricant or something of that nature, we’re talking about a pill that has harmful effects…

Put it this way–I would not want my husband to take this.