"Divorce Rates Rise Due to Middle-Aged Men's Affairs... The Cause Identified as 'This'"

Half of Divorce Reasons Among Middle-Aged Couples Linked to Infidelity
Sexual Infidelity Occurs More Frequently Among Men Than Women

A study has found that Viagra, a treatment for erectile dysfunction, increases the likelihood of extramarital affairs among middle-aged men, contributing to a rise in divorce rates. On September 5 (local time), the British media outlet The Sun reported, citing research by Dr. Katarina Lothar's team at Tilburg University in the Netherlands, that Viagra is one of the main causes of infidelity among middle-aged men.

Research has found that Viagra, a treatment for erectile dysfunction, increases the likelihood of extramarital affairs among middle-aged men, contributing to a rise in divorce rates. The photo is an image to aid understanding of the article. Pixabay

Previously, the research team conducted a survey in Switzerland targeting 575 divorced individuals aged 45 and older. The results showed that infidelity and emotional estrangement were the main reasons for their divorces. On average, these individuals had been married for 25 years, and 85% had children. The survey found that about half of the reasons for divorce and separation were due to extramarital affairs. Notably, sexual infidelity was found to occur more frequently among men than women.

The researchers wrote in an article contributed to Family Transitions, "This study shows an increasing rate of infidelity among older men," and analyzed that "this may be attributed to longer life expectancy due to avoiding serious health problems, as well as the availability of erectile dysfunction treatments." Most men experience erectile dysfunction as they age. About one in ten men in their 40s suffers from erectile dysfunction, and recently, Europe has seen a record increase in prescriptions for erectile dysfunction medications such as Viagra and Cialis. It has also been reported that cases of purchasing these drugs without a prescription are gradually increasing.