If you have high cholesterol, you know how frustrating it can be to try and treat it with nutrition and lifestyle changes alone. You may have tried to follow the advice of your healthcare professional and adopted a vegetarian diet, started exercising, and limited your alcohol intake. But all that effort maybe hasn’t paid off, and your cholesterol levels remain high.
On the other hand, if you’ve tried Viagra and it hasn’t worked out well for you, you may be thinking that there’s no point trying anything else. But fret not, for you may be able to find a perfect fit for your condition with one of the many drugs currently available on the market.
So can you take Viagra with high cholesterol? Let’s find out.
What Is Viagra?
If you’re not familiar, Viagra is a drug that eases the symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED). If you’ve tried to lose weight and haven’t been able to, maybe this drug could be the solution to your weight loss problem. Or if you’ve tried to have a happier marriage but haven’t been able to, then Viagra could help improve your situation. Or if you’ve tried to have a child but haven’t been able to successfully carry a pregnancy to term, then taking Viagra might help with that too.
Some men may experience an effect similar to Viagra when taking sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra). It’s often referred to as an aphrodisiac or a charm drug because of its perceived ability to boost men’s sexual appetites and abilities. But other than that, the effects of sildenafil are generally similar to those of Viagra.
Is It The Same As Viagra?
No, it’s not the same as Viagra! Let’s put it that way. While both drugs can help with ED, they’re not the same. Just think of Viagra as a super laxative and compare it to Cialis or Levitra. The former is best for treating ED and the latter is best for treating male impotence (or erectile dysfunction as it’s also known).
So if you’re taking one for ED, you’re most likely going to experience the same effects as if you were taking Viagra. But if you’re taking one for male impotence, the effects can be a little different. Still, overall, you’re going to feel like you’re taking Viagra.
That’s not to say that Cialis or Levitra don’t work for men with ED. They most certainly do. It’s just that there’s a difference between the effects of the two drugs. Typically, with ED, you’re not going to experience the same intense orgasm as you would if you were taking Cialis or Levitra for impotence. But in both cases, the benefits of the drug are there for the taking.
How Effective Is It?
Based on studies, it’s apparent that Viagra is rather effective at treating erectile dysfunction. In fact, some men experience remarkable results from just a single dose. And for those who take it on a regular basis, the results can be even more promising.
In one study, 1114 men were given either a placebo, Viagra, or a combination of the two. At the end of the study, it was determined that 71% of the participants who took the placebo reported treatment success compared to 66% of those who took one dose of Viagra and 76% of those who took both. Some men have even reported experiencing improvements in sexual function within hours of taking just one dose of the drug.
While the studies vary in design and the specific drugs and dosages that the studies tested, the results of the studies are rather promising. That is, unless you have very severe ED in which case alternative treatments might be the better option for you.
When Can You Take It?
You can take Viagra at any time, but it’s best taken as soon as possible after waking up. Some men have even reported that taking the drug before going to sleep can help improve their sleep cycle. So if you wake up with an erection that could potentially be difficult to shake, then it’s best that you take it as soon as possible. It’s also important to note that if you take it too late, the effect can be lost. So it’s best to take it as soon as possible at the beginning of every day.
On the other hand, if you’re trying to lose weight, you should avoid taking Viagra. The reason is that it may temporarily increase your appetite, resulting in you consuming more calories than usual. So while you’re trying to shed those extra pounds, it’s best that you avoid taking this drug.
Can It Be Tricky To Take With Food?
Most people take their medications exactly as prescribed by their physician. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Sometimes taking medications can be tricky. Take Viagra for example. You should never take it if you’re already eating. You should also limit your alcohol intake while taking it because it can increase the risk of unwanted side effects. That being said, you should be aware that if you do drink alcohol while taking it, the effects could be worsened rather than improved. It’s also best to take it on an empty stomach, at least half an hour before eating something substantial.
So can you take Viagra with high cholesterol? It’s not a straightforward answer. The best approach is to consult with your physician. He or she can advise you of what course of treatment is best for you.