For those who have never taken (or even considered trying) Viagra, it can be a little difficult to understand what might happen if you do. For those who have, it’s not hard to explain: the little blue pill has quite the reputation as an aphrodisiac and for good reason. In addition to being able to boost your libido, Viagra has been shown to alleviate the pain associated with a headache, making it a popular choice for people who get these occasionally debilitating bouts of pain. Can you get headaches after taking Viagra? Let’s find out.
How Does Viagra Work?
Viagra is (supposedly) a “wonder drug,” with multiple mechanisms of action which work in synergy to provide a potent dose of effective medicine. What this means in plain English is that the active ingredients in Viagra treat your headache and boost your libido at the same time. This is also known as a “multi-targeted drug” which, when compared to traditional therapies that target only one area (e.g. pain or blood pressure), work more effectively and efficiently.
Viagra’s main active ingredient, Sildenafil, belongs to a class of medications known as sildenafil and tadalafil (which are quite similar). These medications effectively block the action of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), which is an enzyme produced in the body that breaks down cGMP, a substance that naturally occurs in the human body. When this happens, more blood becomes available to the tissues (particularly in the bladder and the penis), causing the blood vessel walls to relax and allowing more blood to flow.
Will Viagra Make You Headache-Free?
There’s no question that taking Viagra can help make your headaches go away. In fact, according to a 2014 study published in the journal Cephalalgia, out of the 202 patients who took part in the trial, 153 of them (76%) said that their headaches were improved by at least 50% after taking the medication. (1) This is particularly good news for those who suffer from chronic daily headaches (CDH) or cluster headaches (CH), as taking a daily medication to fight their effects could be cumbersome. (2) For other types of headaches, such as tension headaches and migraines, the results are less conclusive, but many people do report significant benefits from taking Viagra.
Even people who don’t experience headaches frequently benefit from taking this medication, as it has been shown to help combat a number of ailments including erectile dysfunctions, pulmonary hypertension, and diabetes. This is why many people, including me, occasionally keep a supply on hand for those times when we need it – for the times when life gets in the way and we can’t remember to take our medications, or when we just want to try something new to improve our quality of life.
When Should You Not Take Viagra?
While some people, particularly those who have never taken (or even considered trying) this medication, can benefit from it, others should avoid it. To prevent potential side effects, you should not take Viagra if you:
- Are allergic to sildenafil or any of the other ingredients in the medication
- Are on blood pressure medication
- Have a history of heart disease
- Are taking nitrates (e.g. nitroglycerin) or other medicines which cause dilation of the arteries
- Are using pornography (which is often associated with addiction)
- Or drink alcohol
Are There Additional Precautions You Should Take Before Or After Taking Viagra?
As with any new medication or supplement you try, there are numerous precautions you should take before and after taking Viagra. Some of these include:
- Consult your doctor before you start taking it
- Avoid foods containing caffeine (e.g. coffee, tea, chocolate, and cola) which may interact with Sildenafil and cause adverse effects
- Avoid alcohol, which can cause an overdose of Sildenafil and potentially serious side effects
- Do not take aspirin during the day, as this may increase the likelihood of gastrointestinal irritation and bleeding
- Avoid direct sunlight, as it can cause photosensitivity reactions which may lead to serious skin damage
- Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke, as it contains chemicals which can damage the lungs
- Avoid recreational drug use (e.g. marijuana, amphetamines, and cocaine) as they may interact with Sildenafil and cause adverse effects
Once you start taking Viagra, you should continue to follow up with your doctor to ensure that you are continuing to benefit from it and to avoid any complications. Having said that, in my experience, the side effects of this medication are usually relatively mild and easy to manage. For some people, however, side effects can be quite severe and although they’re rare, they do occur.
If you have any questions about whether or not you should try Viagra, consult your doctor or healthcare provider for advice. Additionally, be sure to discuss with your doctor any other medications you are taking, as well as your medical history, before making any changes. The last thing you want is for anything to go wrong because you weren’t careful enough.