While diabetes is not considered a sexual disease, many of its symptoms can affect men’s sexual performance – including low energy, poor concentration, and loss of desire. Fortunately, there are several treatments available that may help to improve your sex life with or without medication. One of the most popular medications for diabetes is Viagra.
Does Viagra Work for Diabetes?
Find out if Viagra is right for you with this quick sex guide.
How Does Viagra Work?
Viagra (Sildenafil citrate) is a drug that targets the chemical messenger Nitric Oxide (NO) in order to improve blood flow to the penis and testicles. When you take a drug like Viagra, it will begin to work within 15 minutes and the effects will last for up to four hours. While many medications take time to take effect, Viagra has a surprisingly rapid onset of action and a quick duration of action for a drug of its class.
What’s more, several studies have suggested that Viagra may have antidiabetic properties and could potentially be used to treat Type 2 diabetes. In preclinical studies, Viagra was shown to increase insulin sensitivity in animals with Type 2 diabetes. While this effect was not seen in animals without diabetes, it is still possible that the drug could improve the condition in humans.
Is Viagra Right for Everyone?
As mentioned above, Viagra is a medication that targets Nitric Oxide, which is responsible for keeping arteries and veins open. While most medications of this class are available in a form suitable for oral use (like Viagra or Cialis), some manufacturers also offer a variety of alternative injections for people who prefer to receive treatments in this manner.
On the other hand, people who have problems with their penile erection, Peyromaia (a rare disease that causes spontaneous erections), or are at risk of priapism (a painful condition that occurs when the blood flow in the penis becomes blocked and is unable to evacuate) should not take Viagra, as it may actually aggravate these conditions.
In conclusion, while Viagra does not target all conditions related to diabetes, it is still possible that it could be helpful for some people with the disease.
What Forms Does Viagra Come In?
Most people are familiar with the blue and red tinted bottles of Viagra and Cialis that they might see sitting on a pharmacy counter. However, there are actually several variations of Viagra including a powder form that is more potent than the tablet variation. Additionally, liquid forms of the drug are also available for those who prefer to take their medications that way. All of these forms of Viagra are suitable for oral consumption and affect the same way as the tablet version.
When Do You Take Viagra?
The best time to take any medication is suggested to be before you eat or drink, which is generally advised for all medications. Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that the effects of any drug will wear off after about three hours, so it is advisable to take your medication shortly before going to sleep – to have the most beneficial effects with the least amount of side effects. Taking medication at the wrong time or in the wrong manner could potentially have serious consequences.
Is It Safe to Take Viagra with Other Drugs?
Although it is relatively safe to take Viagra with other medications, it is still safer to take them together than alone. For instance, if you are taking the antimalarial medication Artemesia (used to treat malaria), it is advised that you do not take it with Viagra as the combination of the two could potentially be dangerous. Even more so if you are taking nitrate medications (like those used to treat heart disease) – as Viagra is known to compete with nitrates for binding sites on Nitric Oxide receptors. In these situations, it is best to consult with your doctor so that he could advise you of the safest course of action.
How Long Does It Take For Viagra To Work?
Although the effects of Viagra will begin to be felt within 15 minutes of consumption, it may take up to an hour before you actually start to see noticeable results. Additionally, the full effects of the medication may take several hours or even days to be completely felt. In some people, the effects of the medication can be felt in as little as 30 minutes and last for up to four hours before they begin to wear off.
The short duration of action of Viagra is among its most attractive features – as it allows for frequent dosing without the worry of an overly long-lasting effect. However, it is still advisable to wait at least 30 minutes after taking a dose before you engage in sexual activity – as the medication starts to take effect immediately after your consumption, but the full benefits will only be felt after a while.
Does Viagra Have Any Adverse Effects?
As mentioned above, Viagra is a fairly safe medication – provided you take it as prescribed. However, it is still important to be aware of the potential side effects that it may have. In particular, people who take Viagra should be aware that their blood pressure may increase due to Nitric Oxide interactions. Additionally, those who take nitrate medications should be aware that their intake of certain vegetables and fruits may aggravate their heart condition.
In conclusion, although Viagra is a safe and popular medication, it is still important to be aware of its potential side effects – especially if you are taking it with other medications or for prolonged periods of time.
Is It Worth Getting Viagra If You Aren’t Going To Be Able To Have Active Sex?
If you are taking a medication to improve your sex life and you aren’t experiencing any problems, it is generally not necessary to spend money on a drug that targets Nitric Oxide – especially if you are able to have regular and satisfying sexual activity without any assistance. If you are going to be taking Viagra anyway, it may be best to choose a lower dose or a more suitable alternative.