After years of living in denial, it’s finally accepted that having sex with more than one person at a time is not only a possibility, but also a requirement for some people. Gone are the days of having one partner and enjoying exclusive relations with them. Today, having multiple sex partners is commonly referred to as “polyamory”, or “open relationship”, and while it might sound like a futuristic idea to some, the concept of alternative sexual arrangements is hardly new. In fact, people have been practicing eroticism in different ways since the beginning of time, and the most effective way of doing so was by sharing sexual pleasure with someone else.
Since the beginning of the 2010s, Viagra and its competitors – Cialis and Levitra – have helped men around the world enjoy multiple sexual episodes without worrying about the effects of aging or the size of their penis. While these drugs can help with erectile dysfunction (ED), or the inability to achieve or maintain an erection, for women, they’re usually prescribed to treat a different condition – a low libido or difficulty getting sexually excited. Because of the way these medications work, men who take them usually need to have sex at least once every two weeks to feel satisfied – a scenario that just might become depressingly normal if the novel coronavirus pandemic isn’t already changing our lives.
How Do Viagra And Its Competitors Work?
As previously mentioned, Viagra and its competitors – Cialis and Levitra – were originally developed to treat ED, but the medications don’t just work for that condition. Let’s take a closer look at what makes these drugs so special and how they work to enhance sexual pleasure.
- Vitamin E
- Grapefruit
- Tadalafil
- Sildenafil
- Caffeine
In a nutshell, vitamins E and C, along with caffeine and grapefruit, work together to increase blood flow to the penis and help it remain erect for a longer period of time. Tadalafil, sildenafil, and their respective patents (thought to expire in 2029, 2024, and 2023, respectively) are all chemical compounds derived from the flower and fruit of the common yellow poplar. Caffeine is found in coffee and tea, while grapefruit is a popular ingredient in many vitamin C–rich foods like oranges, grapefruit, and tangerines.
The interesting thing about these four agents is that they not only enhance male arousal, but they also possess a calming effect. In other words, when taken in combination, these substances lower a man’s blood pressure, which in turn makes him less likely to have a heart attack or a stroke. Nevertheless, these medications are associated with some pretty serious side effects that men and women must be aware of before taking them.
The Differences Between Viagra, Cialis, And Levitra
As mentioned, Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra are all available in different forms, including oral, injectable, and topical, and each one brings something new to the table. Here’s a brief description of their differences.
- Viagra is a prescription medication that can be taken orally and is often used to treat erectile dysfunction. Its immediate effects are often referred to as “wonderful” and “stunning” because they cause men to become erect very quickly. However, because it can be so potent, Viagra may also be causing some men to have heart attacks and other serious side effects. To date, the FDA has approved the drug for use in conjunction with a physician’s consultation.
- Cialis is a fast-acting medication that can be taken orally and is also used to treat erectile dysfunction. Its effects are similar to those of Viagra, but it is a little less potent, which some consider a plus because it doesn’t cause the heart problems that Viagra does. However, since it is a relatively new medication and only recently received FDA approval, some doctors still aren’t sure about its long-term effects.
- Levitra is a prescription medication used to treat erectile dysfunction and is also available in a topical form. Like Viagra and Cialis, it is a PDE-5 inhibitor and therefore helps to relax the muscles in the penis so that it can become engorged with blood. In addition, like the other two medications, Levitra is commonly associated with lowered blood pressure and improved heart health. Though it is generally considered to be a safe and effective medication, it is also known to have some unpleasant side effects including headache, diarrhea, dry mouth, and skin rashes.
The takeaway from this information should be clear: if you’re a woman and you’re worried about your libido, you should try to avoid taking Viagra and its competitors because they were specifically designed to enhance the sexual experience for men. Though not all men will experience the side effects outlined above, the potential for severe problems still exists, especially if the user is also taking other medication or supplements.
Is It Safe For Women To Take Viagra And Its Competitors?
Now that we know a bit about Viagra and its competitors and the potential risks attached to them, it’s time to ask a more important question: is it safe for women to take these medications?
The short answer is yes, but not because it’s totally risk-free. Even though the above-mentioned substances don’t cause serious problems for most people, they can still cause others to experience the following side effects:
Headache
All three of the above-mentioned medications are known to cause headaches in some people. This is especially the case for Levitra since it inhibits the enzyme PDE-5 and therefore prevents the body from breaking down cAMP, a chemical that helps maintain a positive mood. For this reason, men taking Levitra are more likely to experience depression and anxiety because of the way this medication works. If you’re a woman and you’re feeling depressed or anxious, you should probably avoid taking this medication because it might make things worse. Just make sure you tell your doctor about your mental health issues so he doesn’t prescribe you anything else that could make your problems worse.
Dizziness
Taking any kind of medication, whether it’s natural or synthetic, can sometimes cause dizziness. When this happens, the most effective thing to do is to sit down and rest until you feel better. If this is something that regularly bothers you when you take your medication, it might be a good idea to consult your doctor about adjusting the dosage or switching medications.
Skin Rashes
Though not common, some people have experienced skin rashes when taking Viagra. The most common cause of these rashes is actually due to the drug itself or its side effects. If you experience this issue, you should probably try to stop taking the medication and see your doctor as soon as possible to determine the root cause of the problem.
Heart Attack
Though the above-mentioned substances don’t usually cause heart attacks, people who are already suffering from heart problems might be at risk for experiencing another episode of cardiac arrest. Though rare, this has happened with people who were taking Viagra prior to its approval by the FDA in 2012. Since then, the FDA has restricted its use to people with heart conditions and caution them about taking it with other medication. If you have heart problems, you should probably avoid taking Viagra and its competitors because the risk of another cardiac arrest is something you shouldn’t risk.
Falls
To this point, we have discussed above the risks stemming from taking Viagra and its competitors. These substances can also cause some people to lose their balance and fall, leading to injuries and further medical issues. Due to the unpredictable behavior that sometimes occurs as a side effect of these medications, people who are at risk for falls might want to avoid taking them altogether.
While the above-mentioned risks are generally associated with Viagra and its competitors, it’s actually quite rare for them to cause serious harm. In fact, according to the FDA, the vast majority of the time these medications are very safe and effective at treating erectile dysfunction. For this reason, if you’re a woman who is experiencing low libido or other sexual problems, you should absolutely consider trying to find a solution without resorting to drugs because they were never meant to be a replacement for healthier, safer, and more satisfactory sexual activity.