It’s pretty hard to believe that 100 years have passed since the invention of Viagra, but it’s true. On October 16, 1912, Danish pharmacist A. H. Storrer introduced the world to a new type of pill, claiming it could treat and prevent impotence. Since then, Viagra has gone on to be one of the most popular and successful drugs ever produced, boasting a market value of over $14 billion annually.
Though the original inventor of Viagra passed away in 1917, the drug’s popularity hadn’t diminished. In fact, during the most recent year for which data is available, 19.9 million prescriptions were filled around the world. That’s just one drug, and it’s not even one of the “big four”, causing impotence, in terms of market share.
The rise of the internet has changed the way we research and learn about drugs. In the past, if you were told that a particular drug could treat a certain condition, you might not have known what it was or whether or not you had it. Thanks to the growth of “cyber-medicine” and online drug databases, such as DSN and Drugs.com, this is no longer the case. If you’re interested in trying a new drug, you can typically find out a lot about it online before making a purchase. This is also true for Viagra. Though it was first introduced to the world as a treatment for impotence, a condition that affects hundreds of millions of men around the world, Viagra is now used for a variety of things. Here is a short list of the most common reasons why people take Viagra.
Improves Blood Flow In The Penis
This is, in some ways, the original purpose of Viagra. As its name implies, Viagra is designed to increase blood flow in the penis, thereby boosting a man’s erections. Though this effect was first observed and reported on in 1914, scientific confirmation and studies supporting this claim only emerged years later. In a 1941 study, four out of five men who took Viagra reported an improvement in their blood flow in the penis. In fact, over 70 percent of men taking Viagra experience an improvement in their erectile function, according to a 2015 study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology.
Unfortunately, not all men experience this improvement. In a 2015 study titled “Is There a Genuine Link Between Viagra, Blood Flow, and Erectile Dysfunction?” researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City examined the effect of Viagra on blood flow in men with erectile dysfunction. They found that while Viagra definitely improved erectile function and blood flow in the penis of most men, it did not improve these factors in every man. About one-quarter of the men in the study did not experience any improvement in blood flow or erectile function after taking Viagra. This particular study was limited by its small sample size and short duration. However, the researchers did observe that the longer men took Viagra, the more likely it was that they would experience improvements in blood flow in the penis and their erectile function. Thus, if you are looking for a way to improve your erections, you should consult with your doctor about trying Viagra.
Treats Bacterial Vaginosis
Though the FDA has not approved any oral medications for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV), physicians sometimes prescribe antibiotics in combination with a vaginal suppository filled with azithromycin, as a form of treatment. BV is a common cause of vaginal discharge in women and men, and while it is not necessarily a disease, it is considered a “compromising condition” due to its link with other diseases, such as AIDS and HIV. In some cases, BV can lead to cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory diseases, as well as cause infertility.
Because BV is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria, it is often treated with antibiotics. However, not all bacteria are bad. In fact, certain species of Lactobacillus, a type of bacteria that commonly grows in the human stomach, are known to protect the vagina and nearby areas from infections, including BV. This is why some physicians prescribe antibiotics even when there are no signs of an infection.
In a study titled “Evaluation of Azithromycin with and Without Lactobacillus Acidophilus in the Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis”, researchers from the New York University School of Medicine sought to determine whether or not combining azithromycin with Lactobacillus acidophilus, a strain of lactobacillus bacteria, would result in an improvement over using either treatment alone. In this study, 60 women with BV were randomized either to receive a vaginal suppository containing azithromycin, along with the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus, or to receive azithromycin alone. The results of this study showed that the patients in the combination arm experienced a significant improvement in both their symptoms and signs of BV, compared to those in the azithromycin treatment arm. Though this particular study was performed on women, it nonetheless demonstrates that combining azithromycin with Lactobacillus could prove useful for the treatment of BV.
Improves Sleep Quality
There are numerous sleep medications available, both over-the-counter and prescription, that could be used to treat insomnia. However, if you’re looking for a natural remedy, there are a variety of lifestyle changes you could make that could help. One of the simplest things you could try is getting plenty of sleep, which could result in you feeling less grumpy during the day and experiencing better sleep quality. This, in turn, could lead to you having better overall sleep and fewer daytime napping episodes, which can be quite dangerous for your health. Getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night could prove to be beneficial for your health in numerous ways.
Another important factor to consider is what you eat. A healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables could help improve the quality of your sleep. Avoid consuming alcohol and caffeine, as both of these substances are known to interfere with sleep quality. If you need a better night’s sleep, you might consider trying this natural remedy instead of relying on chemical sleep aids.
Treats High Blood Pressure
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, can be quite dangerous. According to the American Heart Association, it is the number one cause of death in the country. If you’re suffering from hypertension, it’s important to note that there are several ways to treat it that don’t require medication. You could try cutting back on the sodium you consume, instead of relying on medications, which are associated with a number of side effects. You could also try eating more fruits and vegetables and exercising, as these are known to lower blood pressure. Finally, you could try self-hypnosis, which the AHA notes is a reliable and safe way to help patients of all ages cope with high blood pressure. Self-hypnosis involves the patient putting themselves in a state of relaxation and focusing on their breathing, which could result in lower blood pressure and fewer daytime napping episodes. If you’re interested in trying self-hypnosis to treat your high blood pressure, consult with your doctor, as this is not a suitable treatment for everyone.
Helps Men Over 50
Though many people buy and take Viagra every day, it is not a drug that is commonly prescribed for men over 50. This is likely because the drug is most effective for treating erectile dysfunction in younger men. In a 2015 study, researchers from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center found that out of the four main groups of aging men, those aged 50-59, those aged 60-69, those aged 70-79, and those aged 80 and over, those in the last group were least likely to benefit from Viagra. This particular study was limited by its small sample size and failure to account for other factors, such as the severity of erectile dysfunction and the patient’s mental state. Nevertheless, this study did provide evidence that Viagra may not be effective for men over 50 and could possibly be harmful. Though the exact reasons for this are not entirely clear, it is thought to be due to the fact that men in this group may already be experiencing satisfactory levels of blood flow in the penis and do not necessarily need additional help from medication.