A lot has changed since the advent of recreational drugs in the 1960s, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the fact that men still need help controlling their erections. While recreational drugs allowed men to “party” without having erections, pharmaceuticals designed to treat medical conditions allowed doctors to prescribe medication for the issue. Today, Viagra is still the gold standard among drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) and is one of the most popular prescriptions written each year.
As with most medications, there are common side effects associated with Viagra, including headaches, flushing, and upset stomach. However, if you’re looking to take the drug for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), heart disease, or diabetes, then you should consult with your physician before starting a treatment regimen. In general, these conditions are more likely to be exacerbated by medications used to treat them, so if you’re looking to avoid these issues, then alternative methods should be considered first.
Always Precautionary
Since its approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998, Viagra has been considered a safe and effective drug for treating erectile dysfunction. However, this approval was only given after the drug was shown to be safe for use in humans and its effects were studied extensively in clinical trials. Before its approval, Viagra was tested on animals and shown to have adverse effects on their sexual organs. This is why when doctors prescribe the pill, they always tell their patients to take it cautiously and only under the supervision of a physician. Remember: Viagra is a drug, and like all drugs, it can cause problems for patients with preexisting conditions.
Another important factor to consider before starting therapy with Viagra is the fact that there’s a dose-response relationship between the drug and the severity of its side effects. In other words, the more you take the pill, the more likely you are to experience adverse effects. Thus, if you’re planning to take it on your own, then you should start low and gradually increase your dose to avoid these effects.
Erectile Dysfunction Is A Severe Problem
Let’s face it, as men get older, they’re more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction. For many men, the problem is so severe it prevents them from having satisfying sexual interactions with their partners. According to the American Association of Sexuality Educators, therapists, and counselors (4A’s Love & Sex Committee), more than 28 million American men suffer from some level of sexual dysfunction. This is why medications like Viagra are still considered “sexy supplements” by the mainstream media even though they’ve been around for more than a century.
For those men who do experience erectile dysfunction, the problem can range from mild to severe. Patients may or may not have other sexual health issues, such as low serum testosterone or low sperm count. In some cases, a person may have several contributing factors to their ED, such as diabetes, coronary artery disease, and BPH. It is also common for men to experience ED after prostate cancer treatment, particularly if they happen to be taking certain types of anti-androgens (drugs that prevent testosterone from reaching the prostate).
However, regardless of the cause, once a man experiences ED it can be extremely frustrating and sometimes even disabling.
It Helps Men Relieve Stress
One of the reasons why Viagra is still considered an excellent drug for treating erectile dysfunction is because it helps men relieve stress. Give it a try and you’ll see what I mean. Unlike many other medications used to treat ED, Viagra does not cause significant drowsiness or interfere with a patient’s cognitive functions. In fact, studies have shown that it can actually improve a person’s mental performance by allowing them to concentrate better.
Another important factor to consider is that many men with ED also have anxiety and depression. These are common emotional problems that doctors say can often be alleviated by treating the erectile dysfunction. In many cases, men feel better after they’ve tried medication like Viagra and continue to take it for years to come.
If you or someone you know is suffering from erectile dysfunction, then medications like Viagra may be able to help. However, it’s important to remember that just because a man’s got a hard-on does not necessarily mean he wants to have sex. Sometimes it just means he’s stressed or has an abundance of hormone imbalances. It is not always a result of natural sexual desire. So, if you’re not sure whether or not taking Viagra is right for you, then consult with your physician. They may be able to help you determine whether or not this medication is right for your specific circumstances.