Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and you know the florists are gearing up for a rush - but how about the pharmacies? You would expect to see a retail bump in items like cut flowers, chocolates, and greeting cards - but a lot of lovers have another item on their V-Day shopping list: Viagra.Market research data confirms what you might expect - Viagra sales soar by about 25% just before Valentine's Day. Users say it's just another romantic gesture - like a fancy dinner or a dozen roses.
The seasonal run on erectile dysfunction drugs comes as no surprise to sex researchers.
"It's kind of like birthday sex or Christmas sex," said Debby Herbenick, an educator at the Kinsey Institute. "This is an opportunity that only comes up occasionally and they want to be prepared."
Not all holiday sex is created equal, though. Viagra sales slump to their lowest yearly point the week of Thanksgiving - when relatives typically congregate. And the strongest demand for Cialis, which has longer-lasting effects than Viagra, is right before the three-day Labor Day weekend.
Of course, there are always opportunists looking for ways to profit off the increased demand. According to Security News Daily, the rates of Viagra spam also jump just before the holiday, so expect your Junk mail folder to get engorged as well.
