You’ve probably heard of Viagra, the drug that has redefined male sexuality. Injection into the penis is the approved method of administration, and the drug has been shown to significantly increase the odds of sexual intercourse for men suffering from erectile dysfunction. Its active ingredient, sildenafil, is now available as a stand-alone pill for daily use.
But what is the real story behind the drug?
Viagra is a registered trademark of Sanofi, the pharmaceutical company that markets and distributes it. The drug’s origins can be traced back to the mid-1980s, when it was first approved for use in the U.S. In 2015, global market value of all medications sold under the Viagra brand was £19.9 billion.
While there are certainly a number of benefits to Viagra, including improved penile blood flow and greater sexual flexibility for men who take it, there are also some serious side effects that you should consider before taking the drug.
Dangers Associated with Taking Viagra
In 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about the potential danger associated with taking Viagra. The agency stated that “adverse reactions, including heart attacks, have been reported in patients who take Viagra. If you have a history of heart disease or take other medications that affect the heart, you may be at greater risk of experiencing these adverse effects.”
The FDA went on to advise that “unless you are sure that you are not at risk of developing any of the above-mentioned (adverse effects), you should not take Viagra.” If you decide to take the drug anyway and do develop one of the above-mentioned side effects, the FDA recommends that you consult your personal physician as soon as possible. The agency also stated in its warning that “competition has driven down the cost of generic Viagra substantially, so physicians may not be as aware of the risks as they once were.”
Although the FDA’s concerns were largely assuaged by the introduction of generic Viagra in 2010, this drug is supposedly still more expensive than the branded version. Furthermore, while it is indeed true that low-cost generic versions of the medication exist, they are still considerably more expensive than their branded counterparts. Given the potential risks, it’s not entirely surprising that some men may still prefer to pay a little more for the assurance that their medications are of a high quality and won’t contain any dangerous impurities.
Sexual Dangers Associated with Taking Viagra
Even if you don’t have a history of heart disease, there are still some serious health risks that you need to consider when taking Viagra. For instance, recent studies have shown a link between the intake of sildenafil and the development of priapism – an erection that wouldn’t go away and which required medical attention.
According to the studies, men who used sildenafil as part of their treatment for erectile dysfunction had a 63% higher chance of developing priapism than men who didn’t use this drug. Furthermore, the risk of developing this condition increased by 21% with each additional dose that the men in the study group took.
Although this particular side effect is relatively rare – affecting less than 1% of men who take sildenafil – it’s still something to think about. If you’re a man who uses Viagra for medical reasons and experience this side effect, your doctor may recommend alternative treatments or the cessation of the drug. And for women who are concerned about the effects that sildenafil may have on their male partners, there’s always safer contraception – such as condoms or natural family planning – to consider.
In conclusion, there are numerous benefits to taking Viagra. Aside from improving your sex life, the drug can also help improve the quality of your life in general. Men who have used Viagra for sexual disorders have reported increased satisfaction with their sexual relations and overall feeling of well-being. If you’re thinking about taking the drug, consider all its virtues but also bear in mind its potential drawbacks – the most important of which may be irreversible sexual problems for you and your partner. Even though you may not experience these problems now, it’s still something to think about in the future.