The world’s #1 brand of sexual wellness products is credited with making sex therapy and sexual health more accessible to the general public. What is Viagra?
Before the arrival of Viagra in 1992, getting an erection on demand (usually referred to as ‘being able to keep your penis hard’) had a number of undesirable connotations. It was often associated with addiction, mental illness, or some type of performance anxiety. If you experienced any of these things, then you probably found it difficult to achieve or keep an erection. It was commonly believed that there was no medically safe way to make love if your heart was not in it.
But all that changed with the arrival of Viagra. The little blue pill was specifically designed to help men with the small indignity of poor erectile function. Today, with virtually every man suffering from erectile dysfunction being able to benefit from Viagra, keeping your penis hard is not only acceptable, it’s commonplace.
What is Viagra?
Viagra is a brand name for sildenafil citrate, which is a substance used to treat erectile dysfunction in men. The chemical was first synthesized in the 1960s and then patented in Italy in 1978. It was approved for medical use in the United States in December 1996 and in Europe in November 1998. Viagra is currently available in a number of different doses, from 50 milligrams to 100 milligrams, to help patients find the right level of medication for their needs. The medication is highly effective, with patients able to achieve an erection that lasts for up to 36 hours in most cases. Since its approval, Viagra has experienced a resurgence in popularity and has become one of the world’s best-selling pharmaceutical products. It is currently available in more than 150 countries, with markets in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Several generic versions of Viagra are also available, allowing patients to find relief without the concern for costly corporate lawsuits that are common in the pharmaceutical industry.
The Early Days
Before the creation of Viagra, determining the root cause of erectile dysfunction (and curing it) was, for the most part, the domain of sexual therapists and other healthcare professionals. It was not uncommon for men to travel to another city or country for treatment since there was no known non-surgical cure for erectile dysfunction at the time. For those who could not afford the luxury of a vacation, the wait for effective treatment would usually be prolonged and frustrating. So while therapy and medication were often used in tandem, the former was usually the first step in the treatment.
How Viagra Changed Everything
Once men started realizing that they could benefit from medications like Viagra, it changed the whole complexion of male sexual health. Suddenly, getting an erection on demand (usually referred to as ‘being able to keep your penis hard’) became a matter of course and not a medical marvel. This was not only good for men with erectile dysfunction, but it also unleashed a new sense of freedom and sexual empowerment for those who were previously denied the experience of being in love because of physical or psychological barriers.
Before Viagra, getting an erection on demand was something that only a few lucky men were able to accomplish. It meant that you either had to know how to achieve it yourself (if you were in good physical condition) or you had to wait until some magical moment of climax during sex while your partner was in good physical condition. Since it is now possible to get an erection on demand, it has become acceptable for men to talk about their sexual problems and to seek help for them. This helps bring sexual health out of the shadows of shame and into the light where it can be discussed openly. One of the major reasons why Viagra changed so much about the way we look at sex and erectile dysfunction is because it allowed previously unimaginable numbers of men to finally be able to benefit from it. For most men with erectile dysfunction, getting a pill that can help them attain an erection that will last for hours is nothing short of a dream come true.
The Future Of Viagra
While many pharmaceutical companies have tried (and some have succeeded) in creating a generic version of Viagra, none have yet been able to replicate its magic. This is largely because the drug’s success is due in part to its ability to change the way that men think about sex and the way that they relate to their partner. Many men on Viagra report that they feel physically and emotionally connected to their partners in a way that they never did before. Many also report that the drug has helped them become more communicative and intimate with their partners. So while there is certainly no denying that Viagra has helped a lot of men, it is also changing the way that men experience love and sexuality – probably for the better.