Viagra (sildenafil) is one of the most popular medications for erectile dysfunction (impotence). It’s been around for more than a decade and has been extremely successful in helping men overcome their sexual dysfunction. As a result, many men are curious about whether or not they need to take Viagra every day, and if so, for how long.
Is Taking Viagra When You Don’t Need It Bad?
Many men mistakenly believe that if they don’t need or use Viagra very often, then they don’t need to take it at all. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. It’s not at all uncommon for men to experience erectile dysfunction at some point in their lives. However, that doesn’t mean that they will necessarily need or want to take Viagra to treat their condition. Here’s a closer look at how Viagra works and how it differs from similar medications.
How Does Viagra Work?
As noted above, Viagra is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction. More specifically, it’s a PDE5 inhibitor. A medication of this kind essentially works by increasing the blood flow to the penis. This, in turn, helps to improve the erection that a man gets from sexually stimulating activities. It does this by relaxing the muscles in the penile arteries. Once those muscles are relaxed, blood can flow more freely and easily to the penis.
While there are a variety of causes of erectile dysfunction, the above information should clarify how and why Viagra works to treat it. Most men will require only one to two doses of Viagra per day in order to experience the desired effects. Sometimes, though, it may take more than one dose in the morning and one in the evening in order to achieve the proper results. This is largely due to the fact that the medication begins to take effect after about 30 to 45 minutes and has the longest half-life (T.1/2) of all PDE5 inhibitors, which is about three to four hours. Once the medication starts to work, it’s often near-impossible to stop taking it without experiencing a significant setback in terms of sexual function. This is more so if you’ve become accustomed to the effects of the drug over the years.
How Safe Is It To Take Viagra?
Many people, especially those who are worried about side effects, assume that all PDE5 inhibitors are created equal and that all of them are unsafe to take. While this is generally true, it’s wrong to assume that all PDE5 inhibitors are created equal. In fact, many people who take these medications regularly have noticed that Viagra is noticeably less harmful than similar medications. This is mainly because Viagra and similar medications target very different parts of the body and therefore have very different side effect profiles. The main difference between the two is that while Viagra tends to have a much more positive effect on patients, it also has a significantly worse effect on the heart than some of its competitors.
If you do happen to be allergic to penises or if you’re taking another blood-pressure medication, then you should not take Viagra. In this case, you’re better off avoiding the medication altogether or taking a different PDE5 inhibitor that’s safer for persons with these particular medical histories. Some examples of these medications are zenegra (aproclametazone) and sildenafil citrate (iclaprim).
Is There A Dermoscopic (Skin) Test To Check For Viagra Abuse?
While it’s not always easy to spot Viagra abuse, some dermatologists do have a dermoscopic (skin) test that can help identify users of this medication. Simply put, dermoscopy is the study of the micropatterns (dots and lines) on the surface of the skin. These patterns can help identify skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and others. With regard to Viagra abuse, some dermatologists will check for reddish skin discoloration (flushing) around the nose and ears. They do this as a result of a reaction that sometimes occurs in patients who are allergic to the drug. If they notice this type of reaction, then they’ll know that the patient is abusing the medication and probably needs to be cut off of it. Unfortunately, this type of test is not always reliable, and it can be difficult to know for sure in some cases.
Is Taking Viagra When You Don’t Need It Bad?
As mentioned above, not all cases of erectile dysfunction need or should be treated with Viagra. This includes instances when the symptoms can be easily treated with alternative medications or therapies, such as self-help measures (e.g., exercise, reading, etc.) or medications that are already in the patient’s medication plan. In fact, some men with erectile dysfunction may not have discovered the root cause of the problem and therefore don’t fully understand what’s causing the difficulty in the first place.
If you’re one of these men and you’ve decided that you want to try Viagra to help with your erectile dysfunction, then it’s important to review your indications (medical reasons) with your physician. In most cases, your physician will need to verify that your condition is indeed causing you pain or other significant problems. Only after this has been confirmed should you consider trying Viagra. If your condition is not problematic and you’re simply looking for a convenient way to “fix” your erectile dysfunction, then Viagra may not be the right medication for you.
To be safe, your physician will probably want to start you out on a very low dose and gradually increase it until you reach the optimal level. This should be done in order to avoid any type of adverse reaction or interaction with other medications that you may be taking. Afterward, the dosage should be adjusted based on your response to treatment. In most cases, this means that you’ll need to return for a follow-up visit in order to ensure that the medication is still effective and has not caused any harmful side effects.
What About The Long-Term Effects Of Viagra?
It’s important to keep in mind that regardless of how you feel about Viagra immediately following your intake of the medication, the long-term effects will almost certainly prove to be beneficial. This is because erectile dysfunction is a very common problem among men and is often an indicator of underlying health issues. In most cases, erectile dysfunction is a precursor to cardiovascular disease and eventually leads to death. This is why it’s so important to look at the long-term effects of Viagra rather than just its immediate effects.
Many physicians will advise their patients to take Viagra daily and will warn them about the possible side effects. While some men will experience the abovementioned side effects, they will almost certainly be outweighed by the benefits. In the end, this may be the best option for your overall health as you age.
All things considered, Viagra is a safe and effective medication for erectile dysfunction. If you’re thinking about trying the drug, then be sure to consult with your physician in order to get started on the right foot. This will help ensure that you get the most out of this medication while keeping your health in mind.