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This is one of those segments that you will take seriously, whether male or female. Very seriously. State Senator Nina Turner is very, very concerned about men being cavalier about their use erectile dysfunction medication, and has introduced legislation to protect men, "the greatest gender."

I can't possibly paraphrase Senator Turner, so I'll just give you the transcript:

TURNER: Well, it's Senate Bill 307. Simply all I'm trying to do is protect vulnerable men and make sure that they understand the consequences for their actions. If in fact they need to be treated for erectile dysfunction, that it's most important that they receive an affidavit that must be signed by their current or former partner to make sure that it is physical and not psychological and that the doctor takes the steps and the time to really explain to them their other options, including natural remedies or celibacy.

Because you know, it's only fair that men be as protected as they seek to do with women. Right?

Via Plunderbund, more details:

Senate Bill 307 protects men by requiring the following prior to receiving a prescription to treatment for erectile dysfunction:

• a signed affadavit from at least one sex partner confirming the man has indeed experienced the symptoms of impotence in the past 90 days
• a psychological screening to ensure the condition is, in fact, medical in nature
• ongoing cardiac stress tests and outpatient counseling about potential side effects
• information from the prescribing physician about risks, complications as well as non-medical options including counseling and celibacy
• copy of medical rationale for treatment filed in patient’s medical record

Also, this most awesome appeal for co-sponsors:

TO: All Senate Members
FROM: Senator Nina Turner
DATE: March 2, 2012
RE: Co-Sponsor Request

I will be introducing a bill to address an issue that has gone unaddressed for far too long. The diligence with which men in state legislatures across the nation have considered the fragile health and feeble minds of women has prompted me to reflect on the welfare of the more powerful breed: men. This legislation will take strong steps to protect men from the harmful effects of PDE-5 inhibitors (phosphodiesterase type 5). PDE-5 inhibitors are prescribed to men who are experiencing symptoms of male impotence and carry serious side effects such as priapism, hearing loss, and vision loss. Such medications should be considered with the utmost concern and caution. These medications can be seriously detrimental to men with heart problems, including heart pain (angina), heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), high or low blood pressure, a history of stroke within the last six months, eye problems such as retinitis pigmentosa, sickle cell anemia, or leukemia.

The legislation will implement procedures that will ensure the vigorous reproductive health of men who experience non-psychological erectile dysfunction symptoms. This means that men will have to certify their impotence, confirm their comprehension of risk, and undergo outpatient counseling services to inform them of alternative treatment options to PDE-5 inhibitors.

Please join us in this fight to protect those who are our greatest protectors. The men in our lives generously devote time and debate to fundamental female reproductive issues; the least we can do is return the favor.

If you would like to be included as a co-sponsor, please contact Matthew Adair at [redacted]. The deadline to sign on to this legislation is 5:00pm on Monday, March 5, 2012. Thank you for your consideration.

I'm so glad we have legislators like Sen. Turner fighting for men's health in our nation. We need many, many more.