ALMOST 9,000 troops have been prescribed the wonder drug Viagra in the last ten years after complaining they are struggling with their sex lives.
Thousands of troops returning from war zones or foreign exercises have been forced to turn to the sex drug to help them perform in the bedroom, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Around 900 members of the armed forces received the drug every year, according to figures released in a Freedom of Information request.
Viagra is now one of the most widely prescribed drugs in the armed forces and is second only to antidepressants.
Troops do not pay for their own prescriptions and the tab is picked up by the MoD.
In the FOI, the MoD said: “It is not possible to identify from centrally held coded information the condition for which the drugs were prescribed.
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“It is important to note that Viagra and similar drugs can be prescribed for benign prostatic hyperplasia, an enlarged prostate, or for pulmonary hypertension, high blood pressure, by a specialist.
“Therefore, the number provided may contain prescriptions for medical conditions other than erectile dysfunction.”
Defence chiefs say that greater awareness and a reduction in the stigma associated with erectile dysfunction mean that more troops are now seeking medical help.
The drug, which was originally developed to treat heart problems, is now used to help men get and maintain erections.
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The MoD also revealed that around 100 personnel have had appointments with sex therapists.
US research has found that erectile dysfunction can be linked to PTSD amongst military personnel.
A study carried out for the US Department of Veterans Affairs found that troops suffering from PTSD were “significantly more likely than their civilian counterparts to report erectile dysfunction or other sexual problems”.
While Viagra has been described as a wonder drug, there are side effects which include headache, flushing, visual disorders, nasal congestion, dizziness and visual colour distortion.
Some people may also suffer from prolonged and painful erections which can last for hours. The condition is called priapism and requires immediate medical attention.
Erectile dysfunction is linked to common conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
An MOD spokesperson said: “Medication prescribed by the MOD is only provided where clear medical need is identified and is always in line with NHS guidelines.”