What will your parents think of your new found interest in lifestyle drugs? Your friends may tease you about your newfound love for medication – especially if they are familiar with your Facebook status about your ED medication intake. You may have even received a few pity hand-me downs when your partners couldn’t keep their hands off each other due to poor performance issues. Truth to be said, if you’re going to become involved with prescription medication, you need to be well-informed about what’s in store for you.
Here are 10 things you need to know about Viagra for Women:
It Has Fewer Side Effects Than Viagra For Men
Although originally developed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men, studies have shown that women may also experience benefits from Viagra use. The side effects associated with Viagra are mostly mild and transient, such as headaches, nausea, and dizziness. Many women have reported positive effects from using the drug, including thicker hair, fewer wrinkles, and even weight loss. Some studies have shown that the drug may help improve a woman’s mood, too.
Since it was approved in 1998, the drug has been shown to be relatively safe and effective for women. Even though it was originally developed for men, due to the drug’s effectiveness and mild side effects, more and more women are discovering it’s potential and are taking it for their own personal use. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to try it, especially if you’re looking for ways to improve your appearance and mood – something that most women can relate to.
It Has A Longer Half-Life
The half-life of Viagra is approximately four hours, which means the drug lingers in your body for a relatively long time. Theoretically, this could lead to adverse effects – particularly, if you’re a woman and are using the drug without a prescription or if you’re taking a larger dose than prescribed for you. The longer the half-life of a drug, the more likely there is to be an adverse effect. In the case of Viagra, this could potentially lead to undesirable side effects, such as dizziness and headaches. If you notice these side effects – particularly, if they’re severe – discontinue use of the drug and contact your doctor.
It Is More Effective When Taken In Conjunction With Another Drug
In some cases, the effectiveness of Viagra can be improved when taken in conjunction with another drug. For instance, one study showed that individuals using the drug in conjunction with nitrates (such as nitroglycerin) experienced more profound erections (and, consequently, better responsiveness to the drug).
Another study found that combining the drug with sildenafil (Viagra’s active ingredient) led to increased efficacy (and, therefore, lower dosing requirements). What this means is that in some cases, taking the drug when you first wake up in the morning may help enhance its effectiveness when you finally do get down to business later in the day. It also means that if you want to maximize the effect of the drug, you may need to gradually increase your intake over time (which, again, could lead to undesired side effects – particularly, if you’re a woman and are not accustomed to taking medication).
It Is More Effective When Taken With Food
According to experts, food may improve the effectiveness of Viagra for women. For example, one study showed that having meals prior to taking the drug may increase its potency by as much as 30%, while another showed that taking the drug with food may slightly increase its bioavailability (meaning it is more likely to be absorbed by the body).
In addition, some pharmacists have suggested that taking the drug with some form of fiber may help increase its effectiveness for women – particularly, if you’re taking it for the first time or if you’re experiencing sensitivity issues (due to previous medication use). What type of fiber you should take with the drug depends on what type of sensitivity you’re experiencing. If you have stomach sensitivity, take a high-fiber, high-temperature cereal, for example. If you have mucus sensitivity, take a low-fiber cereal, for instance. What kind of fiber you take will depend on your medical history and what your doctor recommends.
It Has One More Sub-Category
Although Viagra is usually classified as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, it is more accurately described as a pro-erectile drug. This is because it not only inhibits PDE5 (which, as stated, is responsible for causing erections in men), but it also stimulates other enzymes in the body (primarily, but not exclusively, in the prostate). Experts state that although these other enzymes are not typically associated with erections, they may help improve the overall quality and duration of your sex life – particularly, if you’re taking the drug for the first time or if you’re experiencing trouble achieving or maintaining an erection.
In other words, since Viagra improves the way you perform sexually by increasing blood flow to the penis (and, theoretically, other places in the body, as well), it can be considered a pro-sexual drug. Although that may seem like an odd category for a drug, remember that impotence – or, more commonly, erectile dysfunction – is the number one cause of sexual dysfunction for men. More and more women are realizing the importance of pro-sexual drugs in improving their enjoyment of sex, and as a result, they are taking them for that purpose. Additionally, many insurance companies now cover the cost of ED medication, so it isn’t even considered an extravagant expense.
The categories and sub-categories of drugs can be confusing. However, with just a wee bit of memorization, you’ll be able to navigate the medication world with ease and confidence.