Erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs like Viagra are now offered in generic versions, making the little blue pill more affordable for individuals who couldn’t afford the name brand medication in the past. Since then, interesting trends have emerged, including new insights on which states across the nation are the highest consumers of ED drugs.
This article provides an overview of the geographic variation of prescription refills for erectile dysfunction medications like Viagra and discusses what may be contributing to differences in men’s use of the drugs across states.
Researchers with GoodRx compiled data on the percentage of erectile dysfunction prescriptions that were filled as part of a state’s overall prescription refills. Surprisingly, they found variation in ED refills across the United States. As a result, they identified which states were filling the most ED prescriptions and which were filling the least.
Top 10 States Filling ED Prescriptions
- Hawaii
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut
- Vermont
- New York
- Minnesota
- Rhode Island
- California
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
What stands out in this list? Well, with the exception of Hawaii and California, most of the states that made the list are overwhelmingly from the Northeast part of the United States. Per GoodRx, the consumers in the above ten states accounted for about 33% of all ED prescriptions filled nationally. Why would this be the case? We can look at causes of ED and state characteristics to draw conclusions.
What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
When most people hear about erectile dysfunction, they likely associate it with getting older, and they would be correct. Aging is associated with erections taking longer to develop, but a variety of lifestyle and genetic factors can also contribute to an individual experiencing erectile dysfunction. Surprisingly, these factors are relatively common. Below are just a few of the known contributors to ED:
- Stress
- Performance anxiety
- Depression
- Having too much to drink
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Lack of sleep
Put simply, a variety of psychological, physical, or behavioral factors can also lead to ED.
Age, Income, and Geographic Variation
While ED can be caused by a host of factors, the link between age and ED is well-researched. In attempting to draw conclusions about their nationwide ED findings, GoodRx also pointed to age as a likely factor. At first the spread of ED prescriptions filled is intriguing, with seemingly no concrete pattern tying the states together. However, once researchers compared ED prescription refills to the state’s average age, a clear trend came into focus.
The same states that were filling the most ED prescriptions also boasted some of the highest median ages per state across the nation. Similarly, states with lower ED prescription refills also had lower median ages. Take Utah for instance. The Beehive State had one of the lowest ED refills nationally, and it also has one of the lowest median ages at 30.7 years of age.
Age isn’t the only factor contributing to ED prescription refills. States with higher incomes, like Massachusetts and Connecticut, also had higher ED prescription refills. Thus, it’s likely that GoodRx’s map of ED prescription refills will continue to shift in the coming decade as the nation sees an increase in median ages and (hopefully) state incomes.
Another factor to watch for is the availability of generic ED prescriptions. As the cost to produce generic versions of drugs like Viagra continues to decrease, it’s likely these products will be more affordable to a growing number of consumers. These types of medications are already becoming more accessible thanks to online prescription retailers like eDrugstore. Now, you can consult with a doctor online about ED medications and get a prescription without ever having to leave your house. Learn more about online consultations here.
Kwynn holds a Master of Public Health and is currently pursuing a PhD in Social Work. Her research examines the intersections of health, technology, and gender-based violence.