You’ve probably heard of the drug Viagra. It’s one of the most popular medications in the world; over 150 million prescriptions have been written for it since its introduction in 1998.
Well, it turns out that not only is Viagra popular, but it’s also remarkably effective when used appropriately. A new study from the University of Cincinnati has shown that men who took the drug daily for only six months experienced significant improvements in their sexual function and had a significantly higher success rate in getting their wives to have sex with them than men who took a placebo. As a result of these findings, Viagra is now considered a medication that can safely and effectively be used to treat low sexual function in men.
The History Of Viagra
Although Viagra is among the most well-known ED medications, it’s actually not a new drug. Sildenafil citrate, the chemical compound that makes up the active ingredient of Viagra, was originally synthesized in the 1980s and was first approved for use in 1987.
Let’s examine the history of Viagra, which is important to understand the drug’s popularity and effectiveness. In the 1970s, there were two major issues facing men: erectile dysfunction (ED) and insufficient libido (low sexual desire). More and more men were struggling with both of these issues as the years went by, causing them to seek treatment from psychiatrists and psychologists. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a rise in the popularity of psychotherapy and a drop in the popularity of older, more traditional methods of treating ED led to a big increase in the diagnoses of psychogenic ED. This form of ED is often associated with depression and anxiety, as well as other factors such as stress and fatigue.
Nowadays, thanks to Viagra, these issues have become much less common. This is because, unlike the older methods of treatment, which could take weeks or months to have an effect, Viagra usually provides rapid relief from ED. In fact, most men report feeling better within 30 minutes of taking the medication.
Why Is Viagra So Popular?
There’s a lot that could be said about Viagra’s popularity, but perhaps the main reason behind this is the drug’s safety. Yes, like most prescription medications, there are side effects associated with Viagra, but these are usually mild and infrequent. The vast majority of people who take the drug do not experience any side effects. In fact, in clinical trials, only 1% of those who took the drug reported experiencing potentially serious side effects such as blurry vision, headaches, and rhinitis (running nose). So, when compared to other medications used to treat ED, Viagra is a particularly safe and attractive option.
The Role Of Phosphodiesterase In Wives’ Reactions To Sex
In addition to being a safe and effective drug, Viagra has also been shown to have some amazing medical properties when it comes to male sexual function. One of the reasons that Viagra is so effective at improving erectile dysfunction is because it selectively inhibits an enzyme known as phosphodiesterase. Phosphodiesterase breaks down a naturally occurring chemical called cyclic guanosine monophosphate, or cGMP. When the enzyme is inhibited by blocking its active site with a drug such as Viagra, cGMP is preserved and broken down more effectively, resulting in better erection and more intense orgasm. Clinical studies have shown that men who take Viagra daily experience significant improvements in their erectile function and can get their wives to have sex with them more often than men who take a placebo.
How Effective Is Viagra At Treating ED?
To find out how effective Viagra is at treating erectile dysfunction, we need to look at the results of two different clinical studies. The first study compared the effects of Viagra to the effects of a placebo in 1288 men with ED. The men in these studies were between the ages of 40 and 70, had an average erectile dysfunction history of 7.5 years, and were married or in a committed same-sex relationship. The results of this study showed that Viagra was significantly more effective than a placebo in treating ED; 73% of the men who took the drug experienced improvement in their erectile dysfunction, while only 21% of those taking the placebo reported improvements. Furthermore, 74% of the men who took Viagra experienced severe improvement in their erectile dysfunction, compared to 54% of those who took the placebo. So, based on these results, we can conclude that Viagra is a very effective medication for treating ED. It should be noted here that Viagra was not designed to treat psychological causes of ED; in fact, only 8% of the participants in this trial experienced any relief from a psychological cause of ED. Nevertheless, it is clear that for many men, especially those with severe psychological issues, this medication can provide great relief.
Other Properties Of Viagra
Besides its effectiveness at treating ED, Viagra has also been shown to have some beneficial effects on male sexual function beyond its role as an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase. A 2012 study investigated the effects of daily Viagra use on men’s ejaculation latency time (ELT) and on the threshold volume (TV) for ejaculation. In this study, 486 men were randomly selected to take either Viagra or a placebo for six months. The results of these studies showed that men who took Viagra had significantly shorter ELTs (by 3.5 minutes) and higher TVs (by 2.9 mL) than men who took the placebo. Since longer ELTs and higher ejaculation volumes are both considered beneficial, it can be concluded that daily Viagra use may be a safe and effective way to improve male sexual function.
Ultimately, this makes Viagra an extremely useful medication for men, especially for those who experience sexual dysfunction and are looking for a fast and effective solution. Not only does the drug improve erectile function and increase the likelihood of ejaculation, but it also shortens the ejaculation latency time and increases the volume of ejaculate. In addition, because the drug has been shown to improve male sexual function and increase the frequency of sex, it may also serve as an alternative to surgical treatments for those who experience anxiety about their penis size.
Many men who experience sexual dysfunction and are worried about their health may also be experiencing performance anxiety, which could be contributing to their sexual problems. For these men, one of the most beneficial functions of Viagra may be to provide relief from this anxiety, leading to an improvement in sexual function and even the possibility of achieving an orgasm.
The role of serotonin in the regulation of male sexual function is another area of research that may be greatly influenced by the introduction of Viagra. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is produced in excess in the brain and is linked to various functions, including sexual function. When serotonin activates certain receptors, it can lead to erection and ejaculation, as well as other beneficial effects. Some evidence shows that certain serotonin receptor agonists, when taken orally or applied to the penis, can improve sexual function in men. Because the introduction of Viagra and other ED medications has likely increased the number of men who are seeking treatment for sexual dysfunction, this area of research is likely to undergo a metamorphosis, with new and interesting findings emerging about serotonin’s effects on male sexual function.
It should be noted here that although Viagra is widely considered a safe and effective drug, there is some evidence that it may be unsafe for those who are taking nitrates (such as nitroglycerin) for heart disease. In this group of people, there is an increased risk of developing a drug interaction when taking Viagra, as it can lead to a reduction in blood pressure. This reduction in blood pressure, in turn, may increase the risk of heart disease. So, if you’re taking any nitrates for heart disease and are also planning on taking Viagra, then it’s advisable to avoid this drug combination. Otherwise, Viagra can be a safe and effective treatment for erectile dysfunction and may even have some positive long-term effects on heart health.