I’m always looking for ways to improve my fitness regimen, and one of the ways I’ve been enjoying lately is through strength training and incorporating my yoga practice into my routine. One of the best workouts I’ve found is the TRX suspension training, where you strap on a harness and stack a pair of TRX suspension bands around your waist. The bands pull you in opposite directions, forcing you to pull your body weight while allowing you to move in any direction, similar to a gym workout but without all the equipment. While doing my research on TRX, I came across Viagra and its potentially amazing benefits for men who suffer from erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence. Being a yoga fanatic and lover of all things health-related, I was really excited to learn more about this drug and whether or not I should be using it in my own life. I decided to speak with my trusted doctor friend, James Brewer, M.D., about Viagra and its effects on the human body. Let’s get into it.
What Is Viagra?
Viagra is one of the best-selling and most-desired medications in the world. It’s a drug that’s been around for a long time and is extremely effective at treating erectile dysfunction in men. If you’re unfamiliar, erectile dysfunction is the inability to get or keep an erection that’s sufficiently firm for sexual activity. In most cases, this condition is a result of nerve damage or impaired blood flow to the penis. While some men may be able to get enough blood flow to the penis without resorting to medication, in most cases, it’s a condition that requires treatment. Viagra is one of the most popular treatments for erectile dysfunction. It’s also been known to help men with diabetes, ADHD, anxiety, and various heart conditions. In short, Viagra is a multi-tasking drug that can help men of all ages with a variety of issues. I wanted to learn more, so I reached out to my trusted doctor friend, James Brewer, M.D., for some insight.
How Does It Work?
Basically, Viagra works by improving the blood flow to and within the penis. It does this by relaxing the muscles in the walls of the blood vessels, allowing more blood to flow through. As a result, more blood will stay inside the penis longer, making it harder for the body to lose. In turn, this will result in a harder and longer-lasting erection. Because it helps to increase blood flow to the penis, Viagra is often considered an “off-label” medication for boosting testosterone levels. This, in turn, can help men with hypogonadism or Klinefelter’s syndrome, where there’s an issue with testosterone production. In these cases, Viagra can be used to help with sex drive and help men relax and care for their bodies more effectively. In other words, it’s a multi-purpose drug that can be helpful for lots of different issues. Again, this is why it’s one of the most popular medications in the world.
What Forms Does It Come In?
Viagra is most often found in the form of tablets, but it can also be given as a liquid. The tablet form is arguably the most convenient as you can simply take it orally with or without food. However, the liquid form is extremely useful for subcutaneous injections, which would be especially helpful for those with diabetes or other conditions where it’s difficult for the body to metabolize certain medications. In other words, the drug can be given directly into the blood stream, avoiding any issues with first-pass metabolism.
Is It Safe?
Yes, Viagra is extremely safe, especially when compared to other medications that are used to treat similar issues. This is mostly because it doesn’t target a specific problem but instead works by treating the symptoms. As such, there’s less of a chance that you’ll encounter dangerous side effects while taking Viagra. In fact, most people don’t experience any problematic side effects at all. The most common side effect is mild to moderate headache, which can usually be treated with analgesics or anti-inflammatories. A 2012 study in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that men who took Viagra experienced an improvement of at least four points on the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scale, which is considered a clinically relevant improvement. This improvement was seen in as little as six weeks and continued to produce benefits for up to a year after the drug was discontinued. While most people experience some benefits from Viagra within six weeks, some may need up to a year to notice improvements. In most cases, the drug is safe and well-tolerated, with very few people experiencing serious side effects. The most common side effect is headache, which can be a result of the drug’s vasodilating properties. In other words, as it relaxes the muscles in the walls of the blood vessels, allowing more blood to flow through, there’s also a greater chance of getting headaches. This is because the vessels are dilated, enabling more blood to enter the head, thus increasing the chances of getting a headache. In general, it’s a safe and effective medication, with many years of research supporting its use. It’s also been known to help men with a number of serious health issues, which may include heart disease, diabetes, anxiety, and erectile dysfunction. In short, Viagra is a medication that many men around the world enjoy using, and for good reason. It’s safe and effective for men of all ages, with very few significant side effects.