From silent killers to Alzheimer's and BACK PAIN – how Viagra can cut risk of deadly diseases and boost health
But as it turns out, the little blue pill has other health benefits beyond the bedroom - it could one day prevent back pain and fractures in
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Viagra could give you a boost beyond the bedroom
Credit: Alamy
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Scientists from
found that sildenafil, which is branded as
Viagra
, helps stem cells turn into osteoblasts, the cells that build bone.
These cells are crucial because the human skeleton rebuilds itself every decade.
But as we age, we lose more bone than we make, raising the risk of painful fractures and brittle-bone disease,
But slashing the risk of broken bones isn't the only incredible health benefit of this small but versatile drug, which started life in the 1980s as a heart medication before being discovered to help with erectile dysfunction or ED.
Other research has discovered it could treat lung and heart conditions, speed up recovery from jet lag and even reduce
Slashes dementia risk
After a decades-long and largely fruitless hunt for drugs to combat Alzheimer's disease, an unlikely candidate has raised its head: the erectile dysfunction pill
University College London experts found men who pop hard-on boosting drugs like Viagra and Cialis were 18 per cent less likely to develop the brain-eating disease compared with those who went without the drugs.
The tablets work by widening blood vessels to improve blood flow to the penis – and could also boost circulation to the brain.
Most read in Health
While the findings, published
This means it can't prove that ED pills actually protect against Alzheimer's.
Official trailer for Keeping It Up: The Story of Viagra
Instead, it's possible that men who are naturally at lower risk for the disease are simply more likely to take these medications.
Lead author Dr Ruth Brauer at University College London said: 'We can't say that the drugs are responsible, but this does give us food for thought on how we move into the future.
'We now need a proper clinical trial to look at the effects of these drugs on Alzheimer's in women as well as men.'
Easier to pee
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The little blue pill could make going to the loo easier
As well as helping men maintain an erection, the little blue pill can also make it easier for men to pee.
Around a third of men aged over 50 suffer from urinary problems, with an
These can include a weak flow of pee, urine dribbling and the frustrating sensation that the bladder isn't fully emptied after peeing.
Viagra works by increasing blood flow to the penis, which temporarily relaxes the muscles in the penis.
Dr Irwin Goldstein, from San Diego Sexual Medicine, who has studied Viagra, said this has a side effect of "lessening the grip of the prostate on the urethra".
He told
Treats pulmonary hypertension
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The drug widens blood vessels, helping improve blood flow
The NHS is already prescribing Viagra to treat
The disease, which affects around one in every 20,000 Brits, happens when blood vessels that supply the lungs (the pulmonary arteries) thicken.
When this happens, it makes it harder for blood to move through them, which causes a rise in blood pressure.
The reduced blood flow makes it harder for the right side of the heart to pump blood through the arteries.
Over time, this can damage the heart and can be fatal if left untreated.
The active drug in brands like Viagra, sildenafil, can come to the rescue by relaxing blood vessels in the chest and lowering blood pressure in the lungs, making it easier for the heart to pump blood, the NHS says.
Improves stroke recovery
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The medicine could help injured brains develop new cells and blood vessels
As well as treating men with
More than 100,000 people suffer a stroke every year in the UK and they're responsible for over 38,000 deaths, according to
Meanwhile, there are 1.3million people in the UK who have survived a stroke - many living with disabilities.
These include speech problems, memory issues and hallucinations.
Results published in
The study's authors, from Henry Ford Health Sciences Center, thought the drugs could have the same effects on stroke survivors.
Reduces altitude sickness
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Viagra is sometimes used by mountaineers to help with the effects of high altitude
As well as being kept on people's bedside tables, the little blue pill could be taken on climbing exhibitions.
German scientists found that sex meds help mountain climbers breathe easier and prevent them from becoming unwell.
The researchers logged the pulmonary artery pressure and oxygen levels of 14 people while in a lab.
The same checks were repeated at the
Half had been given sildenafil, while the other half acted as the control group.
Results, published in the journal
Because of this, climbers could better tolerate hypoxia - low oxygen levels, which causes altitude sickness - while climbing.
Shrinks cancerous tumours
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While not a direct 'cure', the blue pills could make chemotherapy more effective while treating certain cancers
Popping Viagra could also shrink tumours found in the oesophagus, according to new research.
The blue pills shut down enzymes that form protective shields around cancer cells, making it easier for the chemotherapy drugs to blast tumours.
When scientists from the University of Southampton tested the drugs on oesophageal cancer cells in the lab and on mice, they found that chemo was effective in 75 per cent of cases.
For comparison, chemo usually only works in 20 per cent of oesophageal cancer patients, the study, published in
'Finding a drug, which is already safely prescribed to people every day, could be a great step forward in tackling this hard-to-treat disease," Professor Tim Underwood, lead author of the study, said.
There are around 7,900 oesophageal cancer deaths in the UK each year - that's 22 deaths every day.
Those who develop the cancer only have around a 20 per cent chance of survival beyond five years.
Help overcome jet lag faster
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Viagra may be useful for treating jet lag - at least in hamsters
The multi-use pills could also be useful for jetsetters who want to overcome jet lag faster, according to another study.
Scientists from Quilmes National University in Argentina, found hamsters that received small doses of sildenafil adjusted more quickly to a six-hour time-zone change than animals who didn't get the drug.
The research, published in the
An equivalent human dose would be a small fraction of one single pill.
'It's true that some people will be worried about the – let's call them side effects,' study author Diego Golombek said.
'But if we eliminate the erectile effects [by using low doses], I don't see why people wouldn't consider taking it.'
Read more on the Irish Sun
Current treatments for jet lag involve taking multiple doses of the hormone melatonin over several days, which does not work for all travellers.
Taking a Viagra-like medication would be much simpler, according to Diego, because it would probably involve only a single pill.
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The little blue pills have a lot more to help than just those moments of passion
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The Irish Sun
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- The Irish Sun
13 symptoms of super-contagious ‘Frankenstein' Covid-19 variant as cases rise in Ireland
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The Irish Sun
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Be as specific as you can. Advertisement Take that evidence to your child's teacher or SENCO. Ask for support plans, even without a diagnosis. Speak to your GP, or if your child's under five, your health visitor. The key characteristics of autism - and why they go unnoticed By Alice Fuller, Health Features Editor MODEL Christine McGuinness was a 'recluse' for eight years and only left the house at 3am. Springwatch presenter And recently, But what exactly is autism and why does it seem so different in everyone? Leanne Cooper-Brown, neurodevelopmental lead at 'Whereas we used to think of autism as a linear line, we have come to realise that terms such as 'high' and 'low' functioning or definitions of 'mild', 'moderate' or 'severe' aren't helpful and can be misleading. 'Nowadays, we think of autism in terms of the strengths and needs of the individual, which can change over time depending on their environment and support network.' About 700,000 people in the UK are thought to have autism - that's one in 100. But research by University College London suggests that number could be twice as high, as many people remain undiagnosed. Cases are on the rise though. Figures released last year showed a 175 per cent increase from 2011 to 2022. Dr Selina Warlow, clinical psychologist and owner of 'Receiving a diagnosis can open access to expert resources that support autistic people to thrive in society.' Autism has long been associated with social difficulties, like problems maintaining conversations and forming relationships . But research published in the journal Cell Press suggested that repetitive behaviours - like rocking or finger-flicking - and special interests - whether it's TV shows or specific animals - are more indicative of an autism diagnosis. Generally though, experts say the Sensitivity - autistic people can be much more or less sensitive to sights, sounds, textures, tastes and smells. 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'Being extremely tired, both mentally and physically, can be associated with the act of masking for a long period of time, or sensory or social overload,' Dr Warlow says. 'Symptoms of autistic burnout include social withdrawal, reduced performance and increased sensitivity.' Social struggles - socialising can be confusing or tiring for autistic people. They often find it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling, making it challenging to make friends. Leanne says: 'In adults, autism may present as difficulties with interpreting social cues such as understanding body language or sarcasm, struggling to express emotions or preferring to be alone. This can impact relationships and work.' Routine - many of us have a fairly regular daily schedule. But for autistic people, this becomes a 'very strong preference for routine', Leanne says. This could be needing a daily timetable to know what is going to happen and when, or having rigid preferences about foods or clothing. Literal thinking - some autistic people have a literal view of language - like believing it's actually 'raining cats and dogs' or that someone really wants you to 'break a leg'. Dr Warlow says: 'This can result in confusion with figures of speech, irony or indirect requests. 'For instance, being told to 'pull your socks up' might be understood literally, not as a motivational phrase.' Hyperfocus - often associated with ADHD, hyperfocusing is also common in autistic people. 'It's where you're able to focus intensely on an activity and become absorbed to the point of forgetting about time,' Dr Warlow says. 'This is useful in work or hobbies but can result in neglect of other aspects of life, such as food or rest.' Special interests - we all have hobbies and interests, but for autistic people, these are so compelling they often want to spend all their time learning about, thinking about or doing them. 'Special interests could include anything from dinosaurs to superheroes, and gardening to music,' Dr Warlow says. 'These usually begin in childhood, but can also form as an adult. 'Chris Packham is an example of an autistic person who turned his childhood special interest in animals into a successful career, becoming one of the UK's best-loved natural world TV presenters.' Please don't let schools tell you everything's fine just because your child is quiet or well-behaved there. Masking is real and it's exhausting. The children who cope at school often fall apart at home. If you can afford to explore a private assessment, be cautious. Advertisement There are brilliant services out there, but it can be overwhelming choosing a private provider that is offering the best quality in terms of assessment. A good autism assessment is a lot of work. It should involve a multidisciplinary team - not one person sitting with your child for half an hour. The specialists should be Health and Care Professions Council registered. The process should follow National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines. They should draw information from different contexts (observing your child themselves, talking to school, interviewing parents) and produce a detailed report that can stand up when you need it - for school support, Education, Health and Care Plans, or future care. 3 Dr Ker says parents are 'too often dismissed' when they raise concerns about their children Credit: Getty Advertisement Let's stop talking about trying to 'reduce' autism. That's not the goal. Instead, we need to be building a more accessible world, where people can say: 'I'm neurodivergent. I am more comfortable doing it this way.' That means changing how we run our education system and services. Just as we build wheelchair ramps, and would view a lack of ramps to be unacceptable, we should be building sensory-friendly classrooms, alternative timetables, and flexible expectations. We need to train teachers to understand neurodivergent minds. Advertisement We need to provide the funding for more capable systems that can enable all types of brains to reach their potential. Too often, quiet girls or rule-following boys are told they're 'fine' while they suffer silently. Too often, parents are dismissed as 'overly anxious'. But often there are signs - a child who is exhausted after school, struggles with transitions, is inflexible in their play, feels different or confused by peers, complains the dining hall is too loud or smelly to be able to eat. The 10-question autism test TO get an official autism diagnosis, you need to be assessed by a healthcare professional. But if you think your or your child might have the condition, there is a simple quiz called the AQ-10 that you can use to help support your suspicions. The Instead, it is used to screen people who might be. A version for children is also available. For adults For each question, write down if you 'Definitely Agree', 'Slightly Agree', 'Slightly Disagree' or 'Definitely Agree'. I often notice small sounds when others do not I usually concentrate more on the whole picture, rather than the small details I find it easy to do more than one thing at once If there is an interruption, I can switch back to what I was doing very quickly I find it easy to 'read between the lines' when someone is talking to me I know how to tell if someone listening to me is getting bored When I'm reading a story I find it difficult to work out the characters' intentions I like to collect information about categories of things (e.g. types of car, types of bird, types of train, types of plant etc) I find it easy to work out what someone is thinking or feeling just by looking at their face I find it difficult to work out people's intentions Score 1 point for 'Definitely Agree' or 'Slightly Agree' on each of items 1, 7, 8, and 10. Score 1 point for 'Definitely Disagree' or 'Slightly Disagree' on each of items 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9. If you score more than 6 out of 10, a healthcare professional will consider referring you for a specialist diagnostic assessment. For children For each question, write down if you 'Definitely Agree', 'Slightly Agree', 'Slightly Disagree' or 'Definitely Agree'. S/he often notices small sounds when others do not S/he usually concentrates more on the whole picture, rather than the small details In a social group, s/he can easily keep track of several different people's conversations S/he finds it easy to go back and forth between different activities S/he doesn't know how to keep a conversation going with his/her peers S/he is good at social chit-chat When s/he is read a story, s/he finds it difficult to work out the character's intentions or feelings When s/he was in preschool, s/he used to enjoy playing games involving pretending with other children S/he finds it easy to work out what someone is thinking or feeling just by looking at their face S/he finds it hard to make new friends Only 1 point can be scored for each question. Score 1 point for 'Definitely Agree' or 'Slightly Agree' on each of items 1, 5, 7 and 10. Score 1 point for 'Definitely Disagree' or 'Slightly Disagree' on each of items 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 9. If the individual scores more than 6 out of 10, they will be considered for a specialist diagnostic assessment. None of these on their own mean a child is autistic, but we should be sensitive to the clues. Advertisement With adults, the process is more complex. You don't always have parents to describe childhood behaviours. But what we see again and again is this: they've been masking their whole lives. They've been told they're too much, too blunt, too rude. They've often experienced long term difficulties with their mental health or been misdiagnosed with personality disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders and so on. Difficulties with mental ill-health are more prevalent in autistic people. These are all signs that it is hard to be autistic in a world that is geared up for neurotypical people. They've made it through work or university by sheer effort - but at a cost. Advertisement And often, the moment they receive that diagnosis? It's a relief. At last, something makes sense. 'Not everyone is neurodivergent, but everyone is neurodiverse' So yes, autism is a difference. But it's a difference we've punished, misunderstood and ignored for far too long. The DSM-5 still calls it a disorder. But many autistic people find this term offensive and prefer the word 'difference' or 'condition'. And I agree. It isn't an illness. And there are many strengths associated with autism too. We all have different brains. Neurodiversity is a natural part of human variation - just like height or handedness. Advertisement Not everyone is neurodivergent, but everyone is neurodiverse. So when Kennedy Jr says autism is worse than Covid, he isn't just wrong - he's dangerous. His words fuel a climate of panic, shame and disinformation. And for what? To blame vaccines? To stir controversy? There's no medical basis for that claim. But what there is is a growing body of knowledge. Of compassion. And of people - autistic people - finally being seen, heard, and supported.
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
I ditched UK for sunshine state and now earn triple my salary – it's that good I even left my wife & son back in Britain
STUCK feeling like his money was going nowhere in the UK with a rising cost of living and dreary prospects - Previn Diwakar made a decision that would shock those close to him. He decided he would leave his wife Lisa, 51, and son Oscar, 15, at their home in Shrewsbury - and head abroad for a better life where he could triple his salary and live the high life. 16 Dr Previn Diwakar left the UK behind to move over to Saudi Arabia Credit: SUPPLIED 16 Dr Diwakar left his wife Lisa back in the UK - but he still gets to go home & she gets to come visit Credit: SUPPLIED 16 Dr Diwakar said he is enjoying his life in Saudi more than back home - pictured the 'City of Earth' Diriyah Credit: SUPPLIED 16 Dr Diwakar pictures one of his top brunch spots Credit: SUPPLIED Dr Diwakar, originally from Glasgow, choose Saudi Arabia, the trillionaire state fast attracting professionals despite being accused of living in the dark ages by the West. The British radiologist - who has worked in Canterbury, Liverpool, Manchester and Cardiff - moved to Riyadh last year after 25 years in the NHS, choosing it over its more 'relaxed' ruled neighbour the UAE. He now says he earns triple his salary with no income tax, lives in an stylish 3-bedroom apartment, which is mostly paid for by his work. He has a free gym, pool and steam room in the block - and he also drives at Tesla Model 3, with free charging ports avaliable and the car also being half paid for by his hospital. The lure of the salary boost was so great for the family - he moved while leaving his wife Lisa & son Oscar decided to stay back in the UK. Dr Diwakar explained he was tired of constantly working harder in Britain but feeling no benefits as cost of living continues to climb. And said even with the lack of alcohol - he still gets to enjoy events such as football and live music. He also defended his decision to swap to Saudi - which while opening up to the West, still continues to have a It is estimated up to 300,000 Brits visit Saudi Arabia yearly - and there are around 30,000 UK expats living in the kingdom. And Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been the driving force behind a massive campaign to open up the country and attract Westerners. Meet the 'Neom' WAGS – the Brit TikTok housewives of Saudi living it up in desert luxury while husbands build $1tn mega city From luring in Mega projects planned including ambitions of the world's tallest skyscraper, an enormous new high tech city, and Dr Diwakar told The Sun: 'There was a very real sense that over the previous 10 years or so I was working harder and harder but seeing no improvement in my salary or quality of living. 'With the rise in living costs in the UK and punitive tax rules I couldn't see my quality of life for me or my family improving by staying put. 'It was like I was running to stand still. While initially drawn to the UAE , having visited there many times over the years, I became drawn to Saudi after seeing the opportunities here and that it offered me the authentic cultural and social experiences I was seeking which the UAE simply doesn't.' Now he says he earns roughly three and half times more than he did in the UK, with Saudi imposing no income tax on his earnings. His wife, Lisa Diwakar, and son, Oscar , remain in the UK but he manages to see them often thanks to generous annual leave. Western perception is that people don't feel comfortable talking about this country or politics and I don't think that's true Dr Previn Diwakar And his wife Lisa says while she misses him, when the meet up it makes all the time together that much more special. She said the family have had to adapt to a new way of living and working. Lisa said: "Being a working mum in the UK and wife to a husband working in Saudi requires careful planning to ensure we get to get to spend quality time together as a family. "We communicate daily and the physical distance has taught us to plan ahead and look forward to quality times we spend together. "This has been an important life lesson for me, I'm more organised and I always have something to look forward to, my husband coming home, me going to visit him or our family meeting somewhere to spend a holiday together. "We don't feel the geographical distance, we simply feel the lack of presence, that never leaves you but it does mean that when we are together it's so special." A keen football fan, he regularly goes to football games including Cristiano Ronaldo's He passes time with other expats drinking coffee, visiting art galleries, malls, restaurants and watching his club at a supporters club run by locals. Previn was a season ticket holder and went to as many games as possible when he lived in England and still attends matches when he's visiting. Last month he went to WWE Smackdown, costing him only £14, with fans decked out in wrestling outfits. 16 Dr Diwakar has spent 25 years working for the NHS Credit: supplied by freelancer David Rivers for exclusive use 16 Pictured with his son Oscar at an Al Nassr game Credit: supplied by freelancer David Rivers for exclusive use 16 Ronaldo just signed a new mega contract with the club until 2027 Credit: Reuters 16 Saudi Arabia has been working to modernise and open up Credit: Getty 16 The coastline of the city of Jeddah Credit: Getty He added: 'Football was a massive eye-opener for me. I have very in-depth knowledge of what the English and European games are like, but I had no idea what the Saudi Pro League was like. 'So when I was out here I asked various colleagues and they said football's huge out here. 'I thought, well, in England it's quite difficult to get tickets, isn't it? But it's not difficult to get tickets out here. The tickets aren't expensive either. 'You're probably spending maybe £10 to £15 pounds maximum for a decent seat. I was pretty near the pitch side and I went with my family, with my wife and son." The doctor said the stadium's atmosphere was even comparable to major European games he's been to. He said: 'The stadium was pretty crowded. It wasn't as huge as the European stadiums but there was a really good atmosphere and certainly like European games there's one end of the stadium that had the so-called Ultras there, the banging the drums and creating a lot of atmosphere. 'There certainly was an atmosphere when I went to see an Al-Nassr game with 'The team they were playing against was Al Riyadh, which is a comparatively less well-known team outside Saudi. 'So you would think with Ronaldo and Mane playing, this is just going to be a walkover, it's going to be one-sided. It wasn't. It was quite a competitive game, they won but only just.' Saudi is a dry country and remains adamant it will be But Diwakar says he doesn't miss it and has noticed no impact at events. He added: 'The atmosphere at WWE is incredible. There's all the chanting, there's the dancing, people wearing T-shirts and dressing up, it is as mental as anything in the UK or in Europe . Since I've been out here I haven't missed [alcohol] at all Dr Diwakar 'I don't think the lack of alcohol makes any impact on the atmosphere in these events whether it's a concert, WWE or live sport. 'There were lots of people wearing WWE outfits to mimic their favourite wrestlers. They had imitation belts because John Cena was there. "They were dressed up like Cena with the crazy hats, big foam fingers they were pointing at him. 'I was shocked actually because when I go to Anfield, when you hear all the singing and everything like that, that's what it is. But you don't expect it out here. 'How you feel about living in a dry country may depend a lot upon the stage of your life you're at. 'In the UK I may go and see friends at the pub, or at football I might have a drink, but at this stage in my life I'm not a heavy drinker. 'Particularly with my job, I never drank during the week, maybe a glass of wine with my meal at the weekend but that was it. 'Since I've been out here I haven't missed it at all." Some expats are keen to share their lives in Saudi - including a raft of Brits who are A dozen now-influencers - most with young children - made the move months or even years ago as their husbands landed various jobs working for Saudi projects. 16 Women who live in Saudi have also taken to TikTok to share what life is like there Credit: TikTok/follow_eisha 16 A dozen now-influencers - most with young children - made the move months or even years ago Credit: instagram/@aidamcphrsn 16 Brit mum Samara films day-in-the-life videos in Neom Credit: TikTok/@ Another Brit expat, who asked not to be named, swapped the UK for Saudi at the age of 23 and now works as an account executive in Riyadh. There he shares an apartment with another British expat, passing time with padel , art galleries and football with other expats. He's a fan of MDLBEAST, a series of festivals held in Riyadh and has attracted artists including A$AP Rocky, Calvin Harris and Guns N' Roses. There, he says you'll see things you 'wouldn't expect to see'. The expat told The Sun: 'There were things you would not expect to see at a Saudi music festival. 'They sold non-alcoholic beer for example. It was predominantly young lads, I didn't really see many women. 'They obviously weren't gangsters, but a lot of the men were wearing balaclavas, emulating Reading festival or something. 'There was a lot of music you might think men wouldn't be interested in here. So Jason Derulo was packed, they knew his lyrics." A$AP Rocky's set was full of expletives with the crowd singing along to all the lyrics. Diwakar compared its significance to the UK's Glastonbury , although he hasn't managed to go yet. He wants to attend at some point, and has set his sights on the Jeddah GP next year. Saudi Arabia has gone on an aggressive spending spree in recent years and it seeks to modernise the nation, particularly in sport. In addition to names like Ronaldo heading to Saudi PL, the world's best golfers including John Rahm play in LIV Golf for eye-popping sums. Some have accused the nation, a dictatorship, of doing so to wash its image. And alongside these projects, there is also a raft of Saudi influencers who share their lifestyles in the kingdom. The Saudi government are keen to clean up the kingdom's image. 16 Nada Baeshen is one of the top Saudi influencers with 700,000 followers Credit: Instagram 16 She shows off her lifestyle and her travels - and also works on Saudi TV Credit: Instagram 16 Nojoud Alrumaihi is another top influencer from Saudi Credit: Instagram 16 She also shows off her lavish lifestyle Credit: Instagram But Diwakar says the nation is fast evolving and change is embraced by locals. He said: 'It's very important to remember where this country has come from in an incredibly short period of time. 'It's 2025 now and eight years ago was at the start of these reforms. 'If you think of where we are now, I'm sitting in a lovely little cafe bakery here, crowded with men and women together. 'That wouldn't have been possible 10 years ago. So the social change and the infrastructure has changed a lot. 'As each year goes by, particularly as we accelerate through to 2030, some things will start changing and adapting.' He added: 'Western perception is that people don't feel comfortable talking about this country or politics and I don't think that's true. 'Everybody I've spoken to has been pretty good, they've been pretty open, no less so than in the UK. 'Of course you don't get demonstrations on the street. But I think when you speak to people, universally people have welcomed the changes that they have made. 'Like the fact that you can come to a coffee shop and you see groups of girls together, or going for non-alcoholic drinks." Saudi's most draconian laws By James Moules THE most infamous case of Saudi Arabia's draconian laws is that of Raif Badawi - a blogger who was sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison for "insulting Islam". The Arab Kingdom still enforces the death penalty - in 2022, 196 people were executed. And on March 12 that year, 81 people were executed in one single day. Women and girls still face discrimination in regard to the law. The male guardianship act was enshrined into law in 2022, and means that women must have a "male legal guardian". The Arab Kingdom consistently cracks down on the press, controlling domestic media and jailing journalists for a variety of "crimes". Journalist Jamal Khashoggi was assassinated at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018 by agents of the Saudi government. LGBT rights are not legally recognised in the country. They are labelled as "extremist ideas", with public displays of affection between couples outlawed. Protests and demonstrations are also illegal. Those who defy this ban face arrest, prosecution and imprisonment.
