You’ve probably heard of the popular ED drug, Viagra. You might even know someone who takes it, and you might wonder – is it really worth it? Let’s have a closer look.
The History Of Viagra
The active ingredient in Viagra is sildenafil (oral pill form – Viagra 25mg). Sildenafil was first developed in the 1980s and approved for medical use in 1997. In the 25 years since then, it has been prescribed to over 600,000 men in over 170 countries. Worldwide, it is the #1 treatment for erectile dysfunction, and the #2 most prescribed ED drug after Sildenafil. So yes, you’ve probably heard of it.
How Does Viagra Work?
Viagra works by enhancing the action of nitric oxide (NO) in the body. (For the technically-inclined, nitric oxide is an amino acid that serves as a messenger molecule in the body. When it is produced in sufficient quantities, it allows blood vessels to relax and open up, which may lead to an erection.) Nitric oxide plays a crucial role in both sexual function and blood pressure management. When men take Viagra, it can boost NO levels in their bodies by up to 120%. The result is better erectile function and lowered blood pressure.
Does Viagra Have Side Effects?
Aside from its well-established effectiveness, Viagra has been remarkably free of serious side effects. Only about 1 in 10,000 people who use it experience one or more major side effects. The most common side effect is mild headaches, which occur in 1 in 5 users. Other side effects include indigestion, upset stomach, and transient low blood pressure. If you do experience one of these side effects, it is not usually serious and usually goes away after a few days or weeks. (For the record, men with heart conditions should not take Viagra. And if you’re taking it for blood pressure management, you should not take it at night. Doing so can put you at risk for a heart attack.)
Is Taking Viagra Worth It?
Let’s examine the costs associated with Viagra and whether it is really worth it. First off, the cost of a typical 25mg tablet is just over £7 (at 2019 prices). If you are in the UK and your regular GP prescribes you Viagra, you’ll be charged £35 for a script and will need to attend the doctor at least once every three months to continue with treatment. (The NHS generally covers costs associated with prescriptions, provided you meet certain financial criteria. If you do not meet those criteria, you will need to pay for whatever you need out of your own pocket.)
Do Alternative Treatments Work?
While traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of helping to enhance male sexual function, there is not a lot of solid scientific evidence to support its benefits. But if you’re a man who is committed to getting better results without the side effects of conventional medicine, TCM might be a solution. There is some promising emerging evidence that TCM can help to improve male sexual function. (For the record, TCM only focuses on the patient’s internal organs and their interactions, rather than looking at the symptoms of SEXUALDYSFUNCTION.)
There is some evidence that suggests that TCM can regulate the blood flow in the penis, helping to improve erectile function and allowing men to get the erection they need when they need it. (One of the main ingredients in TCM is the herb ginseng. There is some evidence to suggest that it can help to improve testosterone levels and sexuality in men. If you want to give it a try, you can ask your doctor for a recommendation or look for ginseng root that can be bought separately and cooked as a vegetable or added to soups.)
How Is Social Media Changing The Way We View And Treat ED?
Thanks to the internet and social media, we have become accustomed to connecting with people from all over the world. Although this has undoubtedly led to increased opportunities for both good and bad, it has also changed the way we view health and medicine. Thanks to the power of social media, men can now easily access information regarding sexual health and well-being, and how to deal with erectile dysfunction.
The problem is that this information is sometimes flawed or simply incorrect. Because there is such a lot of untruthful material online, it is important to do your own research and consider the source of the information. Unfortunately, for many men, this can be difficult. Some of the misinformation online can even be dangerous. (It’s always important to remember that a lot of the content on the internet is simply for entertainment purposes, and not all of it is created equal.) So how is social media changing the way we view and treat ED?
Thanks to the internet and social media, we have access to countless peer-reviewed studies and research publications that offer highly-credentialed scientific expertise. When it comes to sexual health and medicine, we can now access doctors, medical journals, and labs that are globally-renowned and have decades of combined experience in the field. When it comes to treating ED, there is definitely a lot of information out there. But with so much choice comes a responsibility to do your own research and not just accept what others might have said or done.
(It’s also worth bearing in mind that the pharmaceutical industry heavily influences both the medical and lay communities. While there is no question that drug companies exist to make money, they do have an interest in disseminating scientifically-proven information regarding their products. It is essential to remember that these are complex compounds that can have many interactions and unexpected side effects. The information provided by pharmaceutical companies is generally highly-biased and might not necessarily reflect the truth.
It is now possible for men to obtain accurate information in one place and time – especially regarding erectile dysfunction. Thanks to the power of the internet and social media, we have access to reliable and well-credentialed sources of information, helping to close the knowledge gap that used to exist between doctors and patients.