Most men will agree that sexual health problems affect both quality and quantity of life. The good news is that medical science has provided a solution to these problems. The drug known as Viagra (sildenafil citrate) has provided incredible benefits to millions of men and their partners around the world. Viagra is a medication that helps to regulate the blood flow to the penis during sexual activity. This is clinically proven to increase the pleasure of sex and reduce the risk of sexual problems. It is relatively affordable and accessible. What’s more, it’s incredibly effective at treating sexual problems. It’s truly an amazing drug that has changed the way men experience sex and lovemaking for the better!
But, like with any drug or medication, there are risks associated with taking Viagra. Fortunately, these are mostly related to side effects that are uncommon or rare. Nonetheless, it’s still important to be aware of them. In this article, we will discuss some of the more common side effects of Viagra and how to manage them.
Vision Problems
One of the more serious risks of taking Viagra is that it can cause vision problems. Specifically, the blue tinted vision that some people experience after taking Viagra is known as photosensitivity. This is because Viagra interferes with the function of the optic nerve, which is responsible for converting light rays into electrical impulses. The chemical composition of Viagra is similar to that of vitamin A, which is what gives it its retinoid properties. It is very likely that the reason why so many people experience vision problems after taking Viagra is because vitamin A is naturally light sensitive.
Photosensitivity is fairly rare, but it’s still a side effect that needs to be considered. If you experience this side effect, you should not take any more Viagra until your doctor clears you to do so. In some cases, patients have had to completely discontinue the use of Viagra due to this side effect.
Muscle Spasms
Another potentially serious side effect of Viagra is that it can cause muscle spasms. This is because the same nerve endings that are affected by photosensitivity are also responsible for muscle control. As a result, taking Viagra can cause uncontrolled and painful muscle contractions, especially in the oesophagus (which is the tube that connects the mouth and the stomach).
This can be quite disturbing for patients already suffering from spasms, especially since this is a side effect that is potentially not even worth having. Nonetheless, in most cases, this side effect is harmless and reversible. What’s more, in most cases, patients have simply needed to discontinue the use of Viagra and avoid exposure to light. In some cases, however, the symptoms of muscle spasms have been so severe that they required hospitalization.
Dry Mouth
A somewhat unpleasant side effect of Viagra is that it can cause a dry mouth. Specifically, patients have reported feeling excessively thirsty after taking Viagra. This is probably due to the fact that the drug has a diuretic effect on the body. Indeed, the main purpose of Viagra is to dilate (i.e. widen) the blood vessels in the penis, which in turn leads to increased blood flow and, as a result, improved sexual performance. Another factor that could explain the excessive thirst that some patients experience after taking Viagra is that the drug can cause a temporary increase in body temperature, which in turn stimulates the thirst mechanism in the body. So, if you experience dry mouth after taking Viagra, you should drink plenty of water to compensate.
Headache
Perhaps the most common side effect of Viagra is that it can cause a headache. Specifically, patients have reported experiencing headaches after taking the drug. There is also some evidence that people who take Viagra more frequently tend to experience more frequent and/or severe headaches. This may be because the same nerve endings that are affected by light are also responsible for the perception of pain and the trigeminal nerve, which is what causes headaches. However, in most cases, this side effect is not related to any clinical significance and is therefore considered a low priority.
In some instances, the headaches that patients experience after taking Viagra are so severe that they need to take medication or even opioids just to get through the day. In these cases, the headaches can be quite debilitating and can significantly affect the quality of life of patients. So, if you experience frequent headaches after taking Viagra, you should consult with your doctor so that he can adjust your medication or treatment plan.
Flushed Skin
Some patients have also reported experiencing flushed skin after taking Viagra. This is because the same nerve endings that are affected by light and chemicals are also responsible for the secretion of sweat glands and the maintenance of normal skin tone. In some instances, the flushed skin that patients experience is accompanied by a hot flush. So, in these cases, the patient feels hot, even though the temperature of the surroundings remains constant. What’s more, in some cases, the flush that patients experience is so severe that it even affects the whites of their eyes, making them appear yellow or orange.
As with any new drug, there are bound to be side effects associated with taking Viagra. Nonetheless, the risks associated with this are relatively minimal. In most cases, the side effects are mild and can be managed successfully. In some instances, however, patients have needed to discontinue the use of the drug due to risks that were not previously considered. In any case, as long as you are aware of the risks associated with taking Viagra, you can enjoy all of its benefits without any fear of complications.
Hopefully, this article will help to shed some light on the risks associated with taking Viagra. In most cases, these risks are relatively minimal. In some instances, however, patients have had to discontinue the use of the drug due to risks that were not previously considered. In any case, as long as you are aware of the risks associated with taking Viagra, you can enjoy all of its benefits without any fear of complications.