Are you looking for a way to get your partner to commit and perform sexually? You may be wondering if there is a pill that can help. You’re not alone in your quest to find the perfect sex pill — the FDA recently approved Viagra for use in conjunction with oral sex. The agency also approved the drug for use in patients with erectile dysfunction. So if your partner refuses to have sex with you because he cannot maintain an erection lasting long enough for intercourse, you may be tempted to try Viagra. Let’s take a closer look at this popular medication and whether it’s right for you.
What Is Viagra?
Viagra (also known as sildenafil) is a medication that affects the potency of the nitric oxide (NO) molecule. It does this by preventing enzymes known as phosphodiesterases from breaking down cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate) which is the second messenger involved in the response to sexual stimulation in the penis. Once nitric oxide is released in a sustained manner during sex, it results in the relaxation of the muscles in the walls of the blood vessels, allowing increased blood flow into the cavernous bodies of the penis and resulting in an erection. So Viagra literally helps to increase blood flow into the penis and therefore makes the penis become erect. This, in turn, allows the male to engage in sexual activities. As previously stated, Viagra also has the ability to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in both men and women. However, it should be noted that not all erectile dysfunction is treated with Viagra. Those with psychogenic ED or who take certain medications (such as alpha-blockers) frequently do not respond well to this medication.
How Does It Work?
Viagra has been around for decades, but it still does not come with an easy to understand formula for how it works. Essentially, nitric oxide is a gas that can freely pass through the cell wall of a plant or animal. NO is typically produced in the body in response to sexual stimulation or psychological stress. When this happens, nitric oxide triggers the synthesis and release of more cGMP from proteins in the penile tissue. This, in turn, causes smooth muscle relaxation in the blood vessels surrounding the penis, allowing increased blood flow into the corpora cavernosa. In addition to increasing blood flow into the penis, Viagra helps to maintain an erection by keeping the smooth muscle in the walls of the blood vessels relaxed, preventing further contraction and dilation. So in a sense, Viagra prevents the penile arteries from constricting, thus ensuring that a sufficient amount of blood flows into the erectile tissue of the penis during sex.
How Is It Administered?
For ED patients, Viagra is typically taken orally around an hour or two before sexual activity. The drug may be taken once or twice daily as needed to achieve optimum results. For patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (a type of high blood pressure that affects the lungs), Viagra is typically given intravenously (through a vein) in a hospital setting. For those with certain stomach problems (such as gastric reflux, GERD), the medication may be given directly into the stomach through a route that avoids contact with the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach).
Is It Safe?
More than 30 years after its introduction, Viagra still remains one of the safest and most popular medications on the market. While this medication does have the potential to treat certain conditions (such as pulmonary arterial hypertension), the vast majority of cases it is used for are safe and benign. In particular, most men do not have serious side effects from taking Viagra. The most commonly reported side effects include headache, flushing, and upset stomach. For some men, these effects may be minimal, but they may still occur. In fact, it is these very men who may have the greatest potential to benefit from Viagra’s potent effects. As mentioned above, Viagra has been shown to be an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction. The drug is also frequently prescribed to men with heart disease who need to take their nitrates (such as nitroglycerin) to maintain an erection. In these patients, the risk of sudden death is greatly reduced when compared to men without such a history. This protective effect may be because Viagra improves the blood flow to all parts of the body, including the heart and brain.
Is It Effective?
The effectiveness of Viagra in treating erectile dysfunction has been well established in clinical trials and studies. More than 80% of men who took part in these clinical trials reported that the drug was effective in improving their erectile dysfunction. The vast majority of patients noticed improvement within just a few months of treatment and around 70% of men described their condition as being fully resolved within a year. Because of its positive effect on erectile dysfunction, many men choose to take Viagra whenever they need to get aroused or to maintain an erection. Since Viagra is a very effective drug and has a positive impact on so many different areas of a man’s life, it is not surprising that it has become such a popular medication.
Where Can I Buy Viagra?
If you are interested in trying out this medication, you can typically find it in the form of injections, sprays, or tablets. Oral doses may also be obtained through a prescription. While many men prefer to obtain this medication through a health care provider, it is also available through some retail stores. Just make sure that you read the product information thoroughly before taking any medication — especially if you are not sure whether or not it is right for you. In addition to helping men get and keep an erection, Viagra also has the ability to restore sexual desire in both men and women who experience low libido. This restoration of sexual desire is also known as “reviving the passion” and is typically caused by a physical change in men (rather than a decrease in sexual desire).
Is It Right For Me?
Although Viagra has been shown to be extremely effective in treating erectile dysfunction, the medication is not appropriate for everyone. It is important to remember that not all men with ED will benefit from this treatment. The following should be considered before taking Viagra:
- you should not take the medication if you’re allergic to any of the compounds in the drug (including sildenafil)
- you should not take Viagra if you have taken a dose within the last 24 hours or if you are also taking a nitrate medication (such as nitroglycerin)
- you should not take the drug if you’ve had a recent heart attack, stroke, or surgery on the arteries
- you should not take the medication if you have active liver disease or if you’re taking alcohol
- you should not take the drug if you are already taking a medication for high blood pressure
- you should not take the drug if you have a history of seizures
- you should not take the drug if you have retinitis pigmentosa (a rare genetic disease that affects the eye)
- you should not take the drug if you are taking drugs to treat asthma
If you meet any of these criteria, you should not take Viagra. In the event that you do decide to try this medication, be sure to consult your physician and seek medical help right away if you experience any potentially dangerous side effects.
Are There Any Contra-Indications?
Again, although Viagra is an extremely popular and effective medication, it is important to remember that there are certain situations where you should not take this drug. Just like any other medication, there are certain situations where Viagra may interact unfavorably with other medications or supplements that you are taking. Some examples include:
- Viagra in combination with certain drugs used to treat high blood pressure (such as amlodipine and olmesartan)
- Viagra in combination with the antidiabetic drug rosiglitazone
- Viagra in combination with the cholesterol-lowering medication atorvastatin
- Viagra in combination with the antidepressant drug citalopram
- Viagra in combination with the antihistamine drug hydroxyzine
- Viagra in combination with the antibiotic drug fluoroquinolone (such as fluocinonide and levofloxacin)
- any other combination of the above medications
Also, since Viagra affects the sexual organs and can cause them to function erratically, it is not a good choice for men who are using penile implants (such as implants used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction) or have other prosthetic devices (such as penile prostheses) in place.