A lot of men have been waiting for their “magic pill” to give them an edge in the bedroom. However, the results from recent studies suggest that Viagra may not be the answer to every man’s sexual problems.
The drug has been touted as a “panacea” for sexual dysfunction, able to treat low libido, poor erection quality and even performance issues. But is it just Hype, or does it really work?
Let’s take a look at the evidence and find out.
Viagra Dosage: How Much Should You Take?
It’s difficult to say how much Viagra you should take, as there is no set rule. Your physician will determine how much is safe for you, based on your physical condition and past prescriptions. However, the usual starting dose for most men is 25mg, taken orally 30 minutes to one hour before sexual activity. Higher doses (e.g., 50mg) are sometimes recommended for men with severe cases of erectile dysfunction (ED).
Some men experience more beneficial effects from low doses, while others need larger quantities. However, it’s always best to start small and then progressively increase your dose, if needed.
Does Viagra Increase Your Libido?
In the past, men would often try to increase their sexual desire by boosting their neurotransmitters (NTs). However, the results from studies have been mixed, with some finding that Viagra increases their libido while others claim that it has no effect.
The most recent study, conducted by researchers from Canada and the United Kingdom, evaluated the effects of Viagra on men with low libido, as determined by a score of 3 or less on the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). To get a sense of how low their libido was, participants had to report their score on the “Sexual Desire Inventory,” which ranges from 2 to 14, with higher scores indicating greater sexual desire.
After taking Viagra, the men in the study had higher mean IIEF-5 scores, suggesting that it did increase their desire. Specifically, the drug improved their score by 3.1 points on average, compared to placebo. That’s significantly better than the average improvement of 1.4 points reported by the men in the study who took placebo. Additionally, the men who took Viagra had a 34% rate of increase in their libido, compared to only a 20% increase in the placebo group. Again, this suggests that Viagra may be able to increase your sexual desire.
Does Viagra Help With Erectile Dysfunction?
Many men suffer from erectile dysfunction, which affects up to half of all men aged 40–49. If you’re among the millions of men who struggle with this issue, you’re probably wondering if Viagra can help. It can, but it’s not a cure-all as much as it is a treatment option. In fact, when used as a first-line treatment for erectile dysfunction, the drug is more effective than many other treatments, including psychotherapy and prescription drugs.
There are many possible causes of erectile dysfunction, ranging from medical issues (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, and medication side effects) to psychological problems (e.g., depression and anxiety). It can be difficult to pinpoint the root cause of your specific problem, but once you do, it’s easier to find a solution.
The key is to find the right treatment for you. If you’re unsure about what drug or treatment might be right for you, consult with your doctor or a sexual health counselor. There’s no shame in being open about your sex life, as everyone has sexual issues from time to time. However, it’s important to work through them together to achieve sexual satisfaction (i.e., the “chemistry”) that you and your partner enjoy together.
How Does Viagra Work?
In general, Viagra works by increasing blood flow to the penis and relaxing the muscles in the penile chambers, allowing for increased pressure. As a result, it promotes easier erections and increased desire. In other words, the drug has a “performance-enhancing” effect on men (and women).
There’s also some evidence to suggest that Viagra plays a role in the parts of the brain that process sensations related to sex. Specifically, the drug modulates the levels of nitric oxide, a substance that acts as a neurotransmitter, in specific areas of the brain. It’s still unclear exactly how this impacts sexual function, but it’s a hypothesis that has yet to be disproved.
When Should You Avoid Using Viagra?
The main concern when it comes to using Viagra is that it can cause hypotension, or low blood pressure. It’s important to note that the hypotensive effect is relatively mild and rarely poses any serious health risks, but it’s still something to be careful about. Men with hypertension (high blood pressure) should not take this drug, as it can increase their blood pressure. Additionally, if you have heart disease, you should not take Viagra, as it can cause hypotension (and, in some cases, even death) in patients with such problems. Finally, the elderly should not take Viagra, as it can cause cognitive decline and dizziness in those over 75 years old. (In fact, the drug does have a boxed warning about cognitive impairment in the elderly.)
There are some other important things to note about Viagra. First, it should not be taken with alcohol or other depressant drugs, as these substances can decrease its effectiveness. Also, it should not be taken if you’ve recently taken an MAO inhibitor (e.g., for depression or anxiety) or if you’re taking an anti-depressant drug (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs, or tricyclics). Finally, it should not be used in combination with any other drug or therapy, as the effect of the combination may be dangerous. (In particular, an FDA study found that the interaction of rivaroxaban, a drug used to prevent blood clots, with Viagra led to an increase in fatal bleeding events in patients.)
Is There A Risk Of Toxicity With Viagra?
As mentioned, Viagra should not be taken with alcohol or other depressant drugs, as they can decrease its effectiveness. However, there have been some cases reported in which men have developed a tolerance to the drug, meaning that they need higher and higher doses to achieve the same effects. Eventually, this can lead to toxicity, or damage, to the liver. (This is why it’s important to taper off of this drug before starting another treatment program or medication.) Because of this, as with any new medication or treatment option, periodic blood tests and liver function tests are recommended, especially if you take this drug longer than 3 months. (This is different from the usual recommendation for patients taking SSRIs or SNRIs, which is to test for liver toxicity once or twice a week.)
What About Side Effects?
One of the main concerns when it comes to using any medication is the potential for adverse effects. Fortunately, the side effects of Viagra are usually mild and short-lived. It’s rare for men to experience any effects beyond those mentioned above (which is why it’s classified as a safe medication). In fact, most of the adverse effects from the drug are psychological, such as anxiety, hostility, and irritability. These are not uncommon side effects for men taking SSRIs, but they’re usually mild and transient. Additionally, there have been some reports of men experiencing a worsening of their erectile dysfunction after taking Viagra. However, this is usually temporary, and many men experience benefits beyond what they had before they started taking the drug.
How Effective Is Viagra?
Based on the evidence thus far, it’s clear that Viagra is a very effective drug when it comes to treating erectile dysfunction. It’s probably the most widely used drug for this purpose, having been prescribed to men with erectile dysfunction for over 15 years. Additionally, when used in combination with appropriate counseling and therapy, it’s often very effective in treating this issue. Finally, it’s important to mention that, for some men, the effects of Viagra can be very powerful and life-changing. In fact, a study in the United Kingdom found that 22% of men who took part in the trial had reported an improvement in their quality of life, while 11% experienced a significant improvement in their social lives, due to the effects of the drug. (These benefits were experienced by men who had an average baseline score of 15.3 on the Sexual Desire Inventory.)