So you’re taking Viagra. Congrats! It’s the gold standard of oral medications for erectile dysfunction, and it’s one of the most popular drugs on the market. But what exactly is it used for, and should you be taking it? Let’s look at the various ways that Viagra can benefit you.
The Direct Effect
As the name suggests, Viagra has a direct effect on the body. It boosts nitric oxide production in the blood, which leads to dilation of blood vessels and, eventually, an erection. This is why it’s used to treat erectile dysfunction and why many men on Viagra experience improved erections. It doesn’t take long for the drug to start working; you might notice an effect after just a few hours of ingestion. It’s also effective when taken in conjunction with a drink or food (particularly red wine), which enhances the effect and makes it more pleasurable. Some men have even reported that Viagra has helped them achieve orgasm in previously un-possible ways. Yowza!
Aside from improving your sex life, Viagra can also help treat some other conditions. For example, it has been shown to help prevent urinary tract infections in women, which is pretty cool if you’re a woman or girl taking the drug (and even cooler if you’re a doctor or nurse). It’s also effective for some types of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Of course, consult your doctor before you start taking any medication, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with any of these conditions.
The Indirect Effect
While Viagra clearly has a direct effect on the body, it also has an indirect effect. Nitric oxide is a naturally occurring chemical in the blood that acts as an intra-cellular messenger, telling the body’s cells when and how to work together. As mentioned before, nitric oxide is also important for maintaining normal blood vessel function, so you can imagine how much of a role it plays in keeping you healthy. Furthermore, by increasing blood flow throughout the body, Viagra can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. This is one of the many reasons why the drug is so popular among older adults. It’s also helpful for people with heart failure or atherosclerosis, or anyone who needs blood flow increased throughout the body.
So if you’re concerned about your health, or the health of someone you care about, you might want to consider taking Viagra. It not only has a positive effect on your sex life, but it can also be used to prevent some serious health issues. Of course, always consult your doctor before starting any new medication regimen, but if you’re taking the drug for erectile dysfunction, you might be able to manage some of these issues on your own with the help of your doctor.
The Unexpected Benefit
Okay, so maybe Viagra doesn’t have any extraordinary benefits. However, although it’s unlikely, the drug has actually been shown to have disadvantages. The most serious one is called priapism. In clinical trials, men taking Viagra experienced a slight increase in the rate of priapism. And while this issue is rare, it’s still a significant health problem. Fortunately, it’s very easy to prevent and treat, and very rare in occurrence. If you experience any episodes of priapism, discontinue the medication and see your doctor immediately. If you suspect that you’re experiencing this issue, take a break from the drug and see if the symptoms go away on their own. If not, then you should consult your doctor to find out what’s causing it.
Aside from that, there are a few minor side effects associated with the use of Viagra. The most common ones include headache, flushing, stomach discomfort, and phototoxicity. However, these side effects are relatively rare, and most men don’t experience them. In some cases, dizziness and lightheadedness have been reported. These issues shouldn’t be too much of a problem, though, as you’re not likely to be doing anything strenuous anyway, since you’ve been told by your doctor that you’ve got something wrong with your blood pressure. Don’t worry too much about these minor side effects; they just mean that your body is naturally reacting to the drug. Nonetheless, keep in mind that taking Viagra can be dangerous for your health, so make sure that you consult your doctor before you start using it.
When To Take It
So, when should you take Viagra? The most common answer is: whenever you’re ready for it. As mentioned before, the medication has a direct effect on the body, so you don’t need to worry about overdosing or underdosing, and you don’t have to take it on a specific schedule. Just eat something before you take it, and you’ll be good to go in no time. Some people even suggest that you should wait a few hours after eating before taking it, so that it has time to settle in your stomach before its effects are felt by the body. However, this can be very tricky for some people, especially those with severe stomach ailments or hiatuses. In these cases, it might be better to take the medication right after eating as much as possible. The key is to figure out what works best for you, your body, and your lifestyle, and then stick with it.
Of course, the effects of the drug will eventually fade away, regardless of whether you take it every day or just once, so it’s good to establish a routine as much as possible. Taking it first thing in the morning, before you get up, will help increase the likelihood of getting the desired results. If you find that the drug doesn’t work as well for you in the morning, then you should try taking it at some other time during the day.
As always, consult your doctor before you start taking any new medication or supplement, especially if you’re not sure about what it is or how it will affect you. And remember: you’re only human, and like all other medications, this one has the potential to cause side effects. But most of the time, it will do wonderful things for your body, your mind, and your sex life, making you feel happier and healthier than you’ve ever been before. So go ahead and try it, and don’t hesitate to tell your doctor about how much it helped you.