Letters: May 25, 1998

THE POTENCY PILL

"With the introduction of Viagra, modern medicine has gone beyond healing the sick. Now it's raising the dead!" DAVID L. EVANS Cambridge, Mass.

My husband and I have been married for almost nine years and for most of that time have dealt with impotence. For us, Viagra [MEDICINE, May 4] promises an opportunity to express our deeply felt passion and love for each other in a way that escapes us most of the time. For others, it seems to represent a chance to be better--"to build" on something they already have. Unfortunately, I have no expectation that our society will understand the difference between none and some and between some and more. You don't know what you've got till it's gone. NAME WITHHELD ON REQUEST Chicago

The latest bit of pharmaceutical foolishness to emerge is Pfizer's much publicized sex pill, Viagra, which combats impotence. Unfortunately, it is being sought after by masses of men who are feeling forlorn. But before taking the pill, they should read everything they can about the negative side effects. Then they can decide whether the risk is worth the pleasure of the moment. I hope common sense will prevail. If sexual performance is fading, so be it! It may be wiser to exchange machismo for maturity. That is the true measure of manliness. ROBERT BONNELL Long Beach, Calif.

There once was a druggist named Rizer, whose opinion was always the wiser: "For an evening sublime, Viagra works fine, but for great sex I buy shares of Pfizer." JEANNETTE COOK Austin, Texas

Now if only someone could create a pill for love. SUSAN F. FOX Birdsboro, Pa.

With the possible exception of Dr. Ruth, I doubt that the famous people you quoted on Viagra know anything about the anguish and frustration associated with impotence. Those who are positively affected by Viagra aren't thinking about a performance-oriented society, could not care less about the feminist agenda and don't look at the penis as a weapon. They are simply thrilled to have a sex life like everyone else. CHUCK LEEFERS Tucson, Ariz.

Which is more ridiculous: Bob Guccione talking about feminism or Camille Paglia talking about erections? ROD THOMAS Needham, Mass.

Did anybody bother to ask women their opinion before inventing Viagra? I'll bet 9 out of 10 of us who are over 60 would tell you that we do not want bad-tempered, horny old men on our hands. MARIA A. CASTILLO San Francisco

You missed one point: We old duffers now are downright dangerous! H. DAVID BRANNON, age 70 Winchester Bay, Ore.

As you noted, 1 out of 10 men who took Viagra in clinical trials experienced a blinding headache. I've already given it a name: Vigraine. DENNIS EISEN Rockville, Md.

VICTIMS OF THE AFFAIR