NHS prescriptions for the erection boosting medications have risen to a record level in England, official data suggests.

A total of 4.57million prescriptions for sildenafil, 비아그라약효 more commonly known by the brand name Viagra, and other types of impotency drugs sold under the brand names Cialis and Levitra, were dished out by the health service in 2023.

This is an increase of 130,000 prescriptions compared to the previous year from 4.44million and an extra 20,000 compared to 2019’s figures.

Experts said the increase was likely due to tumbling drug prices thanks to the proliferation of generic sildenafil brands as well as patients being less embarrassed about seeking help for problems in the bedroom. 

NHS chiefs spent a total of £16.4million providing drugs to treat erectile dysfunction in 2023, about £3.60 per script, though pack sizes can vary.

A total of 4.57million prescriptions for sildenafil, more commonly known by the brand 비아그라약효 name Viagra, and other types of impotency drugs sold under the brand names Cialis and Levitra, were dished out by the health service in 2023

NHS chiefs spent a total of £16.4million providing drugs to treat erectile dysfunction in 2023, about £3.60 per script 

Despite the record number of prescriptions issued the cost to the taxpayer was actually lower than that recorded in 2014 when the NHS spent £50.9million on 2.86million scripts, about £18 each.

Numerous online and physical pharmacies also sell generic versions of sildenafil for mere pennies per tablet.

TV pharmacist Thorrun Govind told The Sun newspaper that the rise in prescriptions in general was likely a result of men being more open about problems with their sex lives. 

‘When Viagra first came out it was a bit sensational but, now there are cheaper alternatives, it is more accessible and there is less stigma,’ she said. 

The data, sourced from the NHS Business Service Authority only covers prescriptions, not the number of patients actually taking the drugs.

This means individual men seeking help with impotency could effectively be counted multiple times in the data if they got more than one prescription a year. 

It also doesn’t cover the many men who got drugs like sildenafil from a non-NHS source such as over the counter from a high street pharmacy or an online outlet. 

While the new figure is national, separate data released earlier this year suggested use of sildenafil specifically varies across the country. 

That data suggested men in Yorkshire were the most likely in England to need a bit of assistance in the bedroom with 3.5 per cent of men in the East Riding being prescribed sildenafil last year, 

This was followed by men in Northumberland and Dorset who each came second and third for prescription rates of the erectile dysfunction drug at around 3.2 per cent each.

This map shows the areas where people were most and least likely to be prescribed sildenafil the key ingredient in the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra on the NHS

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The Yorkshire region appeared to be particularly hard-hit by impotency with its cities and towns Rotherham, Barnsley, Harrogate, Scarborough and Whitby, featuring in the top 10 areas for Viagra prescriptions. 

On the opposite end of the spectrum, men in Leicester City appeared to be the least likely to need help from the little blue pill to maintain an erection, with a prescription rate of only 1.6 per cent.

Erectile dysfunction, also called impotency, is thought to effect about half of men over 40.

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While most cases of erectile dysfunction are isolated and nothing to worry about, repeated or sustained impotency should be checked out by a GP.

It can be an indicator of serious health problems like high blood pressure or high cholesterol, diabetes, hormone problems and mental issues like depression and anxiety.

However, not all men are advised to take drugs like sildenafil, for example those with heart problems are warned against taking it. 

Additionally, about one in 100 people taking sildenafil will experience common side effects from taking the medication which works by boosting blood flow across the body including to the penis making it easier to get and maintain erections. 

These include headaches, nausea, hot flushes, indigestion, a stuffy nose and dizziness, according to the NHS.

More serious side effects requiring urgent medical care are estimated to affect less than one in 1,000 people. 

These include seizures, suffering a prolonged and potentially painful erection especially for over two hours, chest pain, and in very rare cases a life-threatening allergic reaction to the medication called anaphylaxis.

Earlier this year MailOnline revealed that popular erection pills such as Viagra have been linked to more than 200 deaths in Britain.

None of the fatalities — all of which have occurred since 1998 — are proven to have been caused directly by the drugs.