The erectile dysfunction (ED) epidemic that’s been sweeping through American society has been attributed in large part to the overuse of PDE5 inhibitors, such as Viagra (sildenafil), in treating this issue. While these drugs can help men with ED get and stay hard, there’s also evidence to suggest that excessive use of the medication can cause some serious side effects, particularly for men over the age of 45.
What exactly are the Viagra side effects? Let’s examine…
Headache
According to a study published in November 2016 in the American Journal of Medicine, men who took Viagra frequently reported headaches as one of the side effects. While this doesn’t necessarily mean that taking Viagra causes headaches, it’s something to keep in mind if you experience headaches after taking the medication. Anecdotally, many men have complained about headaches after taking Viagra. However, it’s important to keep in mind that there have been no documented cases of Viagra-induced stroke or brain injury. So, while there is some evidence to suggest that excessive use of the drug can cause headaches, there’s no proof that it can cause serious damage to the brain.
Dizziness And Nausea
Another potential side effect of taking Viagra is dizziness and nausea. A study published in October 2016 in the Journal of Urology found that men who took Viagra daily for one year were more likely to experience these symptoms than men who took the medication three times a week or less. While there’s no clear association between taking Viagra and these symptoms, it’s something to keep in mind if you experience them frequently or if they’re particularly severe when you take the drug. It’s also important to keep in mind that these symptoms usually pass after a few hours or days, so if they’re bothersome, they’re not necessarily dangerous.
Weakness
A study published in the American Journal of Medicine in April 2016 found that men and women who took Viagra daily for two weeks experienced a significant decrease in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate. While these are all normal effects of the drug, it’s something to keep in mind if you experience any extreme or unusual changes in your body before, during, or after taking the medication. If you experience any of these symptoms on a regular basis, it might be a good idea to consult your doctor or health care provider about stopping or switching to a different type of medication. There’s also the additional risk of unpleasant or dangerous side effects with other medications used to treat ED, such as phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors), so it’s best to seek medical help for this issue.
Bladder Irregularity
If you have to go to the bathroom frequently, you might experience an increase in urgency and frequency. This is what happens when you overdose on Viagra or take the medication for longer than recommended, so it’s something to keep in mind if you experience any unusual or unexpected changes in your bathroom habits. If you’re concerned about these symptoms, it’s best to talk to your doctor or healthcare provider. There have been no reported cases of bladder irritation caused by Viagra, but it’s something to keep in mind if you experience any changes in your urinary tract related to taking the medication.
Sensitivity To Light
If you have a condition that affects your vision, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or cataracts, you might experience an aggravation of these conditions if you take Viagra. This was one of the side effects reported by men in a clinical trial who took the medication, so it’s something to keep in mind if you experience any changes in your vision when you take the drug. Just check with your doctor or healthcare provider before you begin taking the medication, and if you do experience any changes in your vision, they should be no cause for concern.
Cardiac Muscle Damage
If you have a history of heart disease or are at risk of developing an issue due to a medication you’re taking, it’s important to discuss this with your doctor or healthcare provider before starting treatment with Viagra. There was an uptick in certain heart problems (such as heart failure and myocardial infraction) among men in a clinical trial who took Viagra, which was attributed to the drug. However, these issues were relatively uncommon among the men in the study compared to those who took a placebo. Just remember that if you do have a history of heart disease, it’s important to monitor your blood pressure regularly while taking the medication and get any necessary tests done to determine the root cause of your heart dysfunction.
Prolonged Penile Tingling
If you’ve tried everything else – including medication – and your ED persists, you might consider trying an intracavernosal injection therapy. There’s also the option of trying vacuum erection therapy, which works by removing air from around the penis to create a more intensively relaxed atmosphere during sex, or the implantation of an ejaculation control device. However, if you’ve tried these therapies and continue to have problems, you might experience prolonged penile tingling when you take Viagra. Just keep in mind that this is one of the potential side effects of the medication, and it’s something you need to discuss with your doctor before you begin taking it.
There are a variety of side effects associated with Viagra that men need to be aware of. While most of these effects are benign and temporary, it’s still important to remember that this medication is not for everyone, especially if you have a history of heart disease or take medications that affect the heart. If any of these effects are particularly bothersome or if you experience them frequently, it might be a good idea to consult your doctor or healthcare provider about switching to a different type of medication or if necessary, discontinuing the use of the drug altogether.