It consists of all the participating countries carrying out varied activities with the common aim of drawing attention to the sexual health problems of so many men and women in Europe. The event is supported by The European Society for Sexual Medicine (ESSM) and concludes on the 14th February in all participating countries simultaneously. This date, St Valentine’s Day for many people, was chosen because it is a celebration of romance and is therefore the best day to highlight the plight of all those people who suffer in silence, and are denied the opportunity to enjoy a rewarding sex life.
In recent years, there has been a new and growing danger to European patients’ safety. Buying medicines online significantly increases the risk of exposure to potentially lethal, unlicensed, counterfeit or substandard medicines. These medicines, even if they happen to be genuine, may have been repackaged, stored or transported incorrectly, or may come with foreign language patient information leaflets (PILs), all of which could confuse people, and may result in some people not taking their prescribed medicines in the proper way.
If we look to some numbers: The World Health Organization estimates that sales of counterfeit medicines are 1% in developed countries, 10% in developing countries and 50% for medicines purchased over the internet from sites that conceal their physical address. According to the EC, counterfeit medicines increased 1000% between 1998-2004. Seizures of counterfeit medicines at European borders increased 384% in 2006 and a further 51% in 2007 to over 4 million items.
This issue will be addressed at the ESAE campaign of ESHA for 2011. As drugs for sexual dysfunction establish the major market for fake medicines, ESHA will focus on raising public awareness of the issues surrounding counterfeit medicines and will campaign for the exclusion of counterfeit and substandard medicines from the supply chain.
The successful treatment is not JUST to help the patient, but to help the RELATIONSHIP
Sexual difficulties have a negative emotional and behavioural effect on the couple. The research shows that men and women whose communication with their partner is absent/limited report negative feelings such as depression and frustration.
The research also shows that, when couples speak to each other about the problem, both partners are reassured and treatments are more likely to be sought. At the end of the day, the successful treatment is not JUST to help the patient, but to help the RELATIONSHIP.
ESHA’s 2010 ESAE Campaign will focus to help couples to understand that a sexual dysfunction problem effects both partners and that the success of the treatment relies on the open communication and motivation between the partners. As ESHA, we will also present easy to remember tips not only on the partner’s point of view, but also on the treatment process.
When many of us think about February that cold, short and otherwise uninteresting month, we remember St Valentine's Day and a nice warm feeling melts the winter chill. It is that time of the year when in many countries romance and passion invade TV shows, shops fill up with Valentine's cards erotic underwear and multiple gifts, poetry is to be heard on radio stations and travel agents offer exotic destinations for romantic getaways. It is a celebration of love and the couple in its universal sense. However it is also a time when people who are experiencing sexual problems in silence are vividly reminded of what they are missing. Not just because their sex lives are impaired but because often this has an adverse affect on their entire relationship with their couple and their quality of life. This is made even worse by the resulting breakdown in communication with their partner.
It is for this reason that ESHA decided in 2003 to hold an event on the 14th February in different European countries simultaneously to draw attention to the problems of sexual health, such as erectile dysfunction, lack of desire etc, that affect so many men and women. Many suffer in silence feeling guilty and isolated unable to talk to anyone. Unfortunately by doing this they deny themselves the opportunity of finding a solution. As ESHA we want to celebrate St Valentine's Day with them and remind them through different media activities that help is at hand.
Confidential sexual dysfunction helplines exist throughout Europe where trained advisors can inform and support callers and start them on the path to finding a solution. There are many treatment options available and it is fundamental for people who are experiencing difficulties with their erections or other sexual problems to call these centres where they will be fully informed of how and where to go to get the problem solved. On a day like St Valentine's Day we mustn't forget to stress how vital it is for the couple to talk to each other, to share their joys and their problems as these can bring them closer together if they support each other, a problem shared is a problem halved, as the saying goes. Love and sex go together for most couples and on St Valentine's Day we at ESHA want to remind all those people who are experiencing problems that they can recapture the closeness in their sexual relationships by seeking help. It is time to talk yourself back to a healthy sex life.
Avenida de Menendez Pelayo 75
Bajo derecha 3
28007 Madrid, Spain
Tel: +34-91-501 9513
Fax: +34-91-501 9668
E-mail: info.esha@salud-sexual.org