With increased life expectancies comes an increase in the number of men living with erectile dysfunction (ED). The condition is characterized by the inability to achieve or maintain an erection that is sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. When left untreated, ED can lead to other conditions like heart disease and depression. Thankfully, with the advent of modern medicine, men with ED can enjoy sex life that is comparable to that of men without the condition.
Viagra And Its Derived Products
The active ingredient in Viagra is sildenafil citrate. Sildenafil is a drug which boosts the relaxation of blood vessels in the penis. This action helps to promote better blood flow into the penis and thus result in an erection. Sildenafil has a half-life of 4 – 6 hours. This means that it will start to work 12 – 18 hours after it is administered. Some men have reported adverse effects such as a headache, flushing, and heartburn which may be attributed to sildenafil. However, these effects are relatively rare and mild in nature. In fact, men who take sildenafil are more likely to experience enhanced sexual function and orgasm than those who do not.
Is It Effective For ED?
According to the Physicians’ Desk Reference, the recommended dose of Viagra for increasing blood flow into the penis and thus resulting in an erection is one 75 mg tablet taken approximately 30 minutes before sexual activity. Based on clinical studies, Viagra is effective for at least 70% of men with ED. The drug also boosts the pleasure of sex for men and women. For those experiencing severe ED, 300 mg of Viagra three to four times per day has been shown to be highly effective.
How Long Does It Take For ED To Begin Working?
As mentioned above, the effect of Viagra is maximized 30 minutes to one hour after dosing. However, it usually takes several days for the full benefits of the drug to be felt. In a clinical trial involving men with ED which lasted for 28 days, those who were administered 150 mg of Viagra every day reported significantly improved erectile function compared to those who were given a placebo. Some men even experienced benefits after the first day of treatment!
Based on the results of this trial, it would seem reasonable to assume that the onset of action of Viagra is relatively fast. However, it should be noted that all participants in this trial were administered the drug for 28 days. Therefore, it is unclear as to how much longer it would take for those who were only treated for a short period of time for ED to experience benefits from the drug. Future studies should address this issue and compare the relative efficacy of Viagra against different treatment options for ED.
Other Forms Of Erectile Dysfunction
There are several other forms of erectile dysfunction aside from the more traditional forms of the condition which involve physical or mental impairment. These include neurological (e.g. due to diabetes or multiple sclerosis), drug-induced (e.g. due to the intake of recreational drugs like LSD or MDMA), and hormonal (e.g. due to low testosterone levels in men or high estrogen levels in women).
Unfortunately, due to inadequate data, experts are unable to make generic recommendations regarding the treatment of ED in men. However, based on the mechanism of action of sildenafil, it would seem reasonable to assume that it would be equally effective in men with these various forms of the condition.
Side Effects Of Viagra
As mentioned above, sildenafil can result in rare but serious side effects. The most serious of these are due to abnormal blood pressure and heart rates. For this reason, men taking sildenafil should not engage in any activity that is physically demanding. However, most side effects are mild to moderate in nature and affect the skin, eyes, or throat. Some of the more common side effects include:
- Headache
- Flushing
- Dizziness
- Stuffy nose
- Nasal congestion
- Rapid heart rate
- Dry mouth
- Back pain
- Chest pain
- Tiredness
- Rough voice
- Fainting
- Shortness of breath
- Palpitations (an uncomfortable sensation associated with rapid and inadequate heart rate)
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
The above side effects are relatively common but usually only affect a small number of men taking sildenafil. Overall, the drug is relatively safe and well-tolerated when used at recommended dosages for the treatment of ED. The side effects of sildenafil are infrequent and mild in nature.