The bill would force men who want to use erectile dysfunction drugs to jump through a series of humiliating hoops.

Tired of what she considers the government inserting itself into women's private lives, a Kentucky lawmaker has decided to return the favour.

Louisville Democrat Mary Lou Marzian has introduced a bill that would force men who want to use erectile dysfunction drugs to jump through a series of humiliating hoops beforehand, such as visiting a doctor twice and getting notes from their wives.

"I want to protect these men from themselves," Marzian, who is a nurse, said.

Kentucky State Legislature Mary Lou Marzian, a member of the Kentucky General Assembly, is putting fellow legislators' family values to the test.

"This is about family values," she added.

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SUPPLIED The bill would apply to drusg such as Viagra, Cialis, Levitra or Avanafil.

Marzian told broadcaster WDRB that House Bill 396 would also require that someone seeking Viagra, Cialis, Levitra or Avanafil "make a sworn statement with his hand on a Bible that he will only use a prescription for a drug for erectile dysfunction when having sexual relations with his current spouse".

Marzian's proposal arrives a week after Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin, a Republican, signed a bill requiring women to consult a doctor at least 24 hours before an abortion, according to the Courier-Journal.

The "informed consent" bill, as it was labelled, passed with 92 "yes" votes on January 28, according to WDRB. Marzian was one of three members of the Kentucky House to vote against the law, the station noted.

An abortion rights supporter, Marzian has argued that government should not be able to interfere with people's medical decisions.

"I started thinking, 'How would this body of men feel if the government was injecting [itself] into their private medical decisions,'" she said.

She told WDRB her proposal was also inspired by her fellow lawmakers' values.

"We are very 'family values' in the Kentucky General Assembly – they are all awash in Christian family values – so that's why I put that part in there that [erectile pills] can only be used in a marital relationship," she said.

Marzian admitted her bill was more symbolic than serious and she did not expect it to receive much support. And yet, she isn't done introducing provocative proposals.

The lawmaker told a local newspaper she intends to introduce a bill that would require gun buyers to get counselling from victims of gun violence 24 hours ahead of a firearms purchase.

"I'm just making sure the government is taking care of your safety," she said.