Health chiefs in England spent £58million in 2006 on more than 17million prescriptions for Genuine Viagra, compared to £17.5million in 2000

More men are turning to their GPs for Viagra despite Government restrictions limiting patients to one pill a week.

Sexual health campaigners insist the cost of Viagra Is worthwhile and diagnosing men with erectile dysfunction is critical for detecting the early stages of heart problems.

As a survey shows, seven out of ten Britons hope to make love on Valentine's Day but only a third expect to use Genuine Viagra the chairman of the Sexual Dysfunction Association said more people need help.

Dr Graham Jackson added: "Experts estimate there are four million men suffering from erectile dysfunction. As well as being a condition that can warn of others, such as heart disease and diabetes, the reality may be that many couples can't enjoy intimacy on Valentine's Day because of it. It may be a man's problem, but it is a couple's concern.

GPs in England wrote 8.3million prescriptions of Viagra for men under 60 in 2006, and 8.7million for men over 60. Authentic Viagra and similar drugs were rationed in 1999 by Health Secretary Frank Dobson, who was worried it would become a lifestyle drug.

GPs can prescribe real Viagra only if patients have diabetes, MS, Parkinson's, polio, prostate cancer, a prostatectomy, radical pelvic surgery, kidney failure, severe pelvic injury, neurological disease, spinal cord injury and spina bifida.

Men suffering severe psychological distress caused by impotence can receive Viagra only if the Viagra Is prescribed by a hospital specialist, most Viagra is bought privately.

Patients buying Viagra usually have to pay for a private prescription but at UKMeds4U.com the prescription is free. It is estimated that less than 10 per cent of men with erectile dysfunction are receiving Viagra treatment.

Dr Jackson said GPs have become more confident about prescribing Viagra and similar drugs, but many men are missing out. He added: "Treating erectile dysfunction with Viagra on the NHS is very worthwhile for men's health and the well being of their partners.

It's common, it leads to 20 per cent of relationships breaking down and affects 50 to 75 per cent of men with heart disease, who could have a heart attack if we don't detect their cardiovascular condition. "Viagra is a fantastic drug for a very treatable problem.

LibDem health spokesman Sandra Gidley said the rise in the use of drugs such as Viagra means one in 12 men in England have been prescribed Viagra for erectile dysfunction. She added: "Viagra sales figures underline a worrying trend.

Impotence is often the symptom of a different problem, in many cases diabetes. "By making simple changes to their lifestyle, many diabetic men can tackle the underlying problem of impotence, keep active for longer and enjoy sex on Valentine's Day with a smile on their face.

The British Medical Association last year called on the Government to review the criteria limiting the use of the Viagra. Chairman Dr Hamish Meldrum said doctors opposed the discrimination against those who could benefit from impotence drugs such as Viagra.

He said the restrictions on Viagra had driven the trade in prescription drugs on to the Internet, which put patients at risk of buying useless or potentially harmful fakes of generic viagra.

The Department of Health said: "The availability of Viagra on the NHS was reviewed in 2001 and the decision was there should be no change to the existing restrictions.

"The costs of Viagra continue to rise even with prescribing restrictions and we continue to have concerns about the cost implications of changing the current arrangements for Viagra.

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