The answer is complicated. While it’s perfectly safe for women to take Viagra, it’s no secret that men are more inclined to visit a pharmacy to get the drug. That’s probably because Viagra was initially designed for use in men who are having problems with sexual function. So it makes sense that since its approval in 1998, it would be mostly prescribed for men.
But that doesn’t mean that all men need to take it. In fact, there are cases where it’s dangerous for men to even think about taking Viagra. Let’s look at the cases where it’s not recommended, and why.
Heart Disease
As mentioned above, one of the uses of Viagra is to improve sexual function. But the drug can also help patients with heart disease. In fact, it was initially approved in 1998 based on studies showing that it improved the function of the heart muscle. Since then, several more studies have shown that it can also reduce the risk of heart attack in men with heart disease. While the data is still being analyzed, so far it looks like it may be able to reduce the risk of heart attack by up to 50% in certain patients.
Because of this, Viagra is now recommended for men with heart disease who are also experiencing difficulty with intimacy. And for some men, it may be the only solution. But since it’s a drug, there are still some side effects that need to be kept in mind.
Kidney Disease
Another use for Viagra is to help men with kidney disease. In these patients, the blood vessels in the kidneys are damaged, leading to an increased risk of kidney failure. Because of this, it’s not recommended for men with kidney disease. However, there are some cases where it may be the only solution for patients. In these cases, it’s important to note that since Viagra is a drug, it can still cause problems in some patients. The most common one is headache. It also causes drowsiness, which can lead to accidents if a person is driving or doing something else that requires their full attention. So it’s a double-edged sword.
Psychiatric Disorders
There are also some psychiatric disorders where it’s not recommended for men to take Viagra. One example is schizophrenia. Like the other disorders mentioned so far, it was initially approved based on studies showing that it improved sexual function. But unlike the other disorders, there have been case reports of men who were successfully treated for schizophrenia with Viagra. While the data is still being analyzed, so far it seems that it may be able to reduce the severity of psychotic symptoms in some patients. But since it’s a drug, there are still some side effects that need to be kept in mind. One of the most common ones is anxiety. It can also cause dizziness, which is why it’s not recommended for men with heart disease. So while it may be safe for men to take it for some uses, it’s still not recommended for men with certain psychiatric disorders. (1)
The important thing to note here is that despite all of the above, it’s still perfectly safe for ALL men to take Viagra. It just depends on the purpose for which it’s being taken. When you visit a doctor or pharmacist to discuss Viagra options, it’s important to tell them about your medical history. This will help them determine what dose is right for you. And even then, it’s still a drug. So it’s best not to overuse it.
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is another disorder where it’s not recommended for men to take Viagra. The above picture shows why. Let’s say you’re a man who is experiencing difficulty with intimacy. You might visit a doctor, who upon examining you, finds out that you’re an alcoholic. Your doctor might then recommend that you try Viagra, which might help you with your problem. But if you already drink alcohol, then it might be best for you to avoid taking the drug. One of the reasons why it’s not recommended for people who are alcoholics is because when they drink alcohol, it impairs their judgement, decision-making, and coordination. While alcohol has many positive effects on the body, it can also cause many harms when used excessively. So it’s best to avoid it.
Obesity
Obesity, or being overweight, is yet another disorder where it’s not recommended for men to take Viagra. The above picture shows why. One of the symptoms of obesity is ED, or erectile dysfunction. So if you’re experiencing this problem, then it may be because you’re an obese man. To make matters worse, it’s highly likely that your ED is related to your weight. There are some medications available that are specifically designed for treating ED in obese men. These medications work by helping to increase the blood flow to the penis, which in turn, helps to improve the patient’s erectile function. So if you’re an obese man who is also experiencing ED, then it might be a good idea for you to try one of these drugs. But in general, it’s not recommended for obese men to take Viagra, as it may worsen their condition. The drug has also been known to cause sleep apnea, which is why it’s not recommended for people with this disorder. As you can see, there are multiple disorders where it’s not recommended for men to take or prescribe Viagra. But for the most part, it’s still perfectly safe for ALL men to take this medication. (1)