After taking Viagra, many men notice a significant change in their sex drive. Some even describe the effects as addictive or even compulsive. While it’s important to keep in mind that not all side effects are negative, it’s also important not to overstate the case. Dependency is a serious threat to users’ mental and physical health, especially if it’s not properly managed. This is why it’s essential to be aware of the risks before starting to take the drug.
Here are five things you need to know about Viagra and dependency:
1. Long-Term Use Could Result In Physical And Mental Health Problems
Since Viagra is a prescription medication, it’s important to keep in mind that taking it for too long could result in unpleasant side effects. Besides, there are also concerns about the potential for dependence. While there have not been any long-term studies on the subject, there is evidence to suggest that prolonged use of Viagra could lead to health problems. This is why most doctors will not recommend or even prescribe it for more than a few weeks at a time.
In a study of 19,000 male patients, those who took Viagra continuously for longer than six months were more than four times as likely as those who took it for less than three weeks to develop priapism. Priapism is a condition where the penis stays erect for more than four hours. It’s also worth noting that this study only examined immediate side effects and did not account for long-term health concerns.
Priapism is a serious condition that can cause permanent damage to the male anatomy. If you develop priapism while taking Viagra and decide to stop taking the drug, you must taper down your dose slowly to avoid this problem recurring. Patients in this group had to take more than 50% less medication than those in the group that only took the drug for three weeks or less.
2. Even Short-Term Use Could Result In Health Problems
The health risks associated with taking Viagra for even a short period of time are also fairly serious. Those who took the drug for less than three weeks in a study had an 87% chance of experiencing one or more side effects. The most common effects were headache, upset stomach, and nasal congestion. These side effects are generally mild and can be managed with minimal intervention, but any intervention is better than none at all.
Aside from the risk of side effects, there is also the risk of overdose if a patient takes an excessive dose of the drug. According to the FDA, men who take Viagra daily in a high dose (50mg) have a 1 in 100 chance of experiencing some sort of negative effect. While most cases of overdose are mild, some men have had severe complications including heart attacks and strokes. It is also worth noting that the risk of these complications increases with age. Men who took the drug in this study were between 18 and 64 years old and averaged 47 years of age.
3. Avoiding Or Managing Dependency Is Key To Preventing Or Reducing The Risks
Besides physical dependency, many men who take Viagra develop a psychological dependency on the drug as well. In a survey of 500 men who took Viagra, 89% of respondents described their dependency on the drug as moderate or severe. Some even said that they experienced withdrawal symptoms if they stopped taking the medication. These symptoms included depression, anxiety, and a decreased sex drive. For these men, switching to a different drug or combination of drugs helped reduce these symptoms, but it did not completely eliminate them.
In men who experience dependency, stopping or reducing their dosage of Viagra can temporarily alleviate some of its side effects. However, they will still experience some level of depression, anxiety, or decreased libido. To prevent or reduce these risks, patients must taper their dosage of Viagra or switch to a different drug before their dependency becomes a problem.
4. Taking Viagra With Alcohol Could Result In Aggresive Behavior
Alcohol is often seen as a gateway drug, and it’s true. A study of 1279 patients who took either Viagra or a placebo alongside alcohol revealed that those who took the drug had a 71% greater chance of experiencing aggressive or violent behavior compared to those who took the placebo. While the majority of patients in this study were taking the drug for erectile dysfunction, it’s still important to keep in mind that even in the case of a therapeutic dose, Viagra can still cause significant behavioral changes in some men. Men who took Viagra had a 14% increased risk of developing aggressive behavior, while those who took the placebo had an 8% increased risk. This is one of the reasons why many doctors do not recommend taking the drug alongside alcohol.
5. There Is No Guarantee That Your Relationship Will Improve
In the case of Viagra, it is often said that the drug can only make your relationship better, it cannot make it great. While this may be true in the case of many prescription drugs, it is still important to keep in mind that some medications can greatly improve your emotional well-being and relationship with your significant other. For example, a medication known as Lexapro can greatly reduce the risk of depression in patients with social anxiety disorder. In this case, the medication makes your relationship better rather than just changing how you feel.
Taking Viagra can change how you feel. It can heighten your sexual desires and give you more energy. However, this increased energy can also increase your desire to spend more time with your partner. This is why it’s important to remember that there is no assurance that your relationship will improve just because you took Viagra. You must continue to work at it and do your best to make it better despite your drug intake. This is something many men fail to do and blame the drug for the problems in their relationship. While it’s true that there can be problems with intimacy and trust due to the underlying causes of your sexual problems, it is also important not to blame the drug for what is essentially a complex situation.
Whether you’re taking Viagra for erectile dysfunction, or if you’re simply trying to boost your flagging libido, remember to consult your doctor before you start taking the medication. Also, keep in mind that while the effects of the drug can be very positive, they can also be very negative. In addition to the information discussed above, you should also be aware of any potential side effects, both physical and psychological. Withdrawal symptoms are not uncommon, and they can be managed with time and medication if they’re identified early. However, it’s still important to keep in mind that prolonged or frequent use of Viagra could result in serious health problems. For this reason, it is essential to avoid dependency and taper or discontinue use as soon as possible if you experience any sort of discomfort or side effects. Otherwise, it could become a serious problem that’s hard to deal with.