Introduction
Viagra (sildenafil citrate) is a prescription drug manufactured by Pfizer and used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved it for this use and has also indicated that it may help men with pulmonary arterial hypertension (WHO Group 1) and improve their exercise tolerance (WHO Group 2).
Like any other medication, Viagra has both desirable and undesirable effects. Some of its effects may be beneficial while others may be harmful. Before you take any medication, you should understand the risks and benefits so you can make a healthier decision. In this article, we’ll review the risks and benefits of Viagra as they relate to your health.
Positive Aspects
Viagra is known for having some very positive aspects. The medication helps to increase blood flow to the penis which can increase the size of your penis. It can also help to increase your sexual desire thus increasing your likelihood of becoming sexually active. If you already take part in sexual activities, you may experience an increased sexual desire which could lead to an improvement in your sex life. Men who are already sexually active may also experience an improvement in their erectile function.
There are also some non-sexual positive effects associated with Viagra. Some men who take the pill report that it helps them to sleep better at night and feel more relaxed. According to the FDA, ‘sleep associated disturbances’ are among the most common side effects of Viagra. However, this seems to be a side effect that many men experience and often it’s not connected to the medication at all. Other men who take Viagra report that it reduces their migraine headaches and anxiety. While the FDA has not classified Viagra as safe or effective for treating these conditions, scientific studies have proven that the medication can help. Whether or not these effects are directly associated with Viagra is unknown.
Negative Aspects
There are also some negative aspects associated with Viagra. The most common problem experienced by men who take the medication is an adverse effect on sexual ability. Some men have reported that the medication causes them to experience a reduction in sexual desire and the ability to become sexually aroused. If you’re already sexually active and take part in recreational activities, you may experience a reduction in your sexual ability due to the side effects of Viagra. The good news is that this seems to be a problem that many men experience and it’s usually only temporary. The men who do experience a longer-lasting adverse effect often stop taking the medication without their doctor’s knowledge. While it’s not exactly known what causes this adverse effect on sexual ability, it has been associated with increases in body temperature and blood pressure. High blood pressure and body temperatures can potentially cause long-term damage to the penile tissue. It’s also possible that some men experience an adverse effect on sexual ability due to anxiety or other mental health disorders. It’s important to discuss these adverse effects with your doctor so that he can monitor your progress and potentially adjust your treatment regimen.
Another problem that men experience while on Viagra is that it may cause them to gain weight. According to the FDA, ‘weight gain’ is one of the most commonly reported side effects of this medication. Just like the adverse effects associated with sexual ability, this seems to be a problem that many men experience but it’s usually a temporary one. Again, it’s important to discuss these issues with your doctor so that he can adjust your therapy as needed. If you gain a significant amount of weight while on this medication, it may be a good idea to talk to your doctor so that he can wean you off of it.
Risks
Just as with any other prescription medication, there are risks associated with Viagra. Some of these risks are more prominent than others but they all deserve discussion with your doctor. The most important discussions to have are those related to your heart and your blood pressure. If you’re not already aware of these risks, you should be made aware before you begin taking this medication. Some of the more prominent risks include but are not limited to high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disorders, diabetes mellitus, and kidney disorders. These are all serious risks and they all need to be evaluated by your doctor to ensure that they are under control or that there is another medication that can be tried instead. Your doctor should also be made aware of your current medical conditions so that he can determine if Viagra is appropriate for you or if there is another medication that could be tried. If you have any history of heart disease, diabetes mellitus, liver problems, or kidney disorders, you should probably avoid taking this medication as it may adversely affect your health.
Benefits
As we discussed above, there are some very important benefits associated with Viagra. This medication helps to improve erectile dysfunction in men which is a common problem. Because the majority of men who experience erectile dysfunction do so to some extent, improving this aspect of their health would seem to be among the most prominent benefits of the medication.
There are also some other benefits associated with Viagra. Some men who take the medication report that it helps them to sleep better at night and reduces their anxiety. The medication can also help to reduce the migraine headaches and temper migraines in some men. Like any other medication, Viagra has the potential to improve or worsen other medical conditions. If you’re not sure how the drug will affect you, ask your doctor for help. Or if you’d just like to try something new, ask your pharmacist for advice. Although there are still many unanswered questions regarding the effective of the drug, it is known for having some beneficial effects and it would be unwise not to take that into consideration.
In some countries, Viagra has been approved for use in children. Although its effectiveness in doing so has not been determined, it has been proven that the chemical does help to improve erectile function in young men. If you’re a parent who is worried about erectile dysfunction in your child, there are treatments available. Just make sure that you discuss these issues with your doctor so that he can monitor your progress and adjust your therapy as needed. If you’d like, you can also ask your pharmacist for advice about how to treat your child effectively.
Side Effects
Like any medication, there are side effects associated with Viagra. Some of these are very prominent while others are less so. The most common side effects include headaches, nausea, and changes in color (usually darkening of the skin). If you experience any of these side effects, it may be a good idea to talk to your doctor so that he can wean you off of it or adjust your treatment regimen. It’s also worth mentioning that some of these side effects are more prominent in certain individuals than others. For example, some men experience headaches while others do not. Some also experience nausea and vomiting but others do not. Darkening of the skin is also a problem that some men experience while others do not.
Just as with any other medication, there are also some side effects that are more prominent in larger quantities. Some men who take extremely high doses of the medication (>50 milligrams) experience headaches, dizziness, and upset stomach. If you’re seeking a medication to treat erectile dysfunction, it may be worth checking out other medications as well. Your doctor may be able to suggest other drugs that can help to improve your condition.
Now that you’re equipped with the important facts, it’s time to make some important decisions. Just keep in mind that there are risks associated with every medication. The decision to start taking Viagra should be a conscious one and you should only do so if you’re sure that it’s the right decision for you. Like any other drug, there are both desirable and undesirable effects associated with the medication. Although the risks seem to be more prominent at first, the more you take the medication, the lesser the risks become. If you’d like to try something new, ask your pharmacist for advice or consult with your doctor so that he can monitor your progress and adjust your therapy as needed. Don’t be afraid to speak up if you experience any problems while taking the medication. As we discussed above, there are treatments available so that you can overcome most, if not all, of the risks associated with this drug. It’s also important to remember that although Viagra is often referred to as a ‘pulseless medicine,’ it’s still a pharmaceutical medication and, therefore, it still has the potential to cause harm. Make sure that you’re not taking any shortcuts by experimenting with the drug or trying to self-diagnose. Always talk to your doctor about any ailments or complaints that you have before taking any medication. This will ensure that you get the most appropriate treatment and it will also help you to stay on top of any changes or developments in your health.