If you’re reading this, I assume you’re not familiar with the popular drug, Viagra. For those of you who are, here’s a brief primer:
Viagra is a potent drug that, when administered orally, helps men get and keep an erection in the presence of sexual stimulation. It was originally approved for use in the United States in the year 1999. Since then, insurance coverage for the drug has nearly tripled, and it’s now one of the most prescribed drugs in the country.
Now, you might be wondering why exactly do people take Viagra, and here’s a short story about one man’s quest to find out.
Experimenting With Erection Problems
Mark Henry is a 59-year-old married man with two kids who lives in San Jose, California. Like many men his age, Henry has struggled with erectile dysfunction for as long as he can remember. Back in his college days, his classmates would often make fun of him for being “one of the few virgins left in the whole school,” as he recalled in an interview with The New York Times.
“I couldn’t overcome my shyness when it came to sex,” Henry said. “I was afraid of losing my manhood.”
Things didn’t get any easier once he started dating. “I went on my first real date when I was 17 and a half. She was a year older than me, and we went to this movie. Halfway through the movie, I froze. I couldn’t do anything.”
Henry was embarrassed and frustrated, so he asked his doctor for help. The doctor suggested trying Viagra, which Henry did, and within a few weeks, he had completely changed his mind about sex. “It was great,” he said. “I could keep an erection for hours.”
After that, Henry was determined to find out more about the drug and its benefits. He started by experimenting with different doses, making a note of how he felt after each one. Over the course of a few months, he determined that the drug was most effective when taken at the recommended dose of 50 milligrams.
Since then, Henry has continued to take the drug and, aside from a brief period of being off of it due to side effects (more on that later), has remained loyal to it.
The Drug’s Side Effects And Allergies
Aside from causing erections, the drug can have a number of side effects. Men who take Viagra frequently report headaches, dizziness, nausea, and heart-related effects. In rare cases, it can cause allergic reactions or increase the chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke.
The New York Times article cited above also pointed out that Viagra can cause liver damage in men with preexisting liver problems. Finally, the drug can cause temporary blindness in those with severe eye problems. While most of these side effects are rare, they’re all potentially serious. For this reason, it’s extremely important that those who take or are considering taking the drug consult their doctor before starting.
Despite these risks, Viagra is still considered by many to be one of the best remedies available for erectile dysfunction. In a 2017 survey conducted by the American Association of Pharmaceutical Advertising and Marketing, 97% of respondents said they would definitely recommend the drug to a friend or family member with erectile dysfunction, and 82% said they would consider trying it themselves.
According to a survey conducted by the American Association of Advertising Agencies in 2018, about 20% of consumers reported having tried or currently using a dietary supplement or botanical product to boost their sexual performance. These products can also be found in health food stores and online retailers. One of the most popular dietary supplements is gingko biloba, a common herb that’s been used in Asia for centuries. It’s most popular in countries like China and Japan where it is prescribed for impotence. In a study by the Harvard School of Medicine, gingko biloba improved sexual function in men with Alzheimer’s disease and allowed them to perform better than baseline levels on objective measures. The results were similar for those who took part in the study.
While dietary supplements can be a helpful addition to a person’s daily routine, they should not be considered a replacement for medical treatment. It’s also important to keep in mind that these products may contain a number of harmful chemicals that are unnecessary and potentially even dangerous.
Why Is Viagra Frequently Prescribed?
Although Viagra is frequently prescribed for erectile dysfunction, it’s actually one of the most frequently prescribed drugs for a number of different conditions. It is commonly prescribed for pulmonary arterial hypertension, in which the walls of the tiny blood vessels that supply the lungs become thick and strong. These blood vessels frequently rupture, leading to death. In one study of 100 patients with the disease, 86% were taking Viagra at the time of their death. Similarly, Viagra is frequently prescribed for prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia — a condition that, like erectile dysfunction, is most common in men older than 50 years old.
The drug is also frequently prescribed for migraine headaches and cluster headaches. In one study, 94% of patients who took the drug reported that their headaches were much better, and 78% said the drug helped them get to sleep at night. Finally, Viagra is one of the most prescribed drugs for anxiety and depression. In a study of 1,500 patients, 44% of those who took the drug reported feeling better and 43% said it helped them sleep better at night. This is probably due to the fact that both anxiety and depression are associated with reduced levels of testosterone, which is why so many men experience erectile dysfunction due to low testosterone.
On the other hand, Viagra is rarely prescribed for diabetic erectile dysfunction. This is probably because the drug doesn’t directly address the underlying cause of the problem. Instead, it merely treats the symptoms. The most popular drug among diabetics is Avanafil, which is prescribed to increase nitric oxide production in the body. This, in turn, increases blood flow to the penis and allows men to get an erection despite their diabetes. This blood vessels become leaky, leading to dangerous complications.
Summary
So, why do people take Viagra? Aside from treating erectile dysfunction, the drug is frequently prescribed for a number of other conditions. As previously mentioned, the most common reason is erectile dysfunction, or the inability to get or keep an erection in the presence of sexual stimulation. There’s also the psychological factor, as Viagra can dramatically improve sexual function in men with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Finally, it’s important to keep in mind that while supplements can be a helpful addition to a person’s daily routine, they should not be considered a replacement for medical treatment. Aside from the fact that supplements can be dangerous and ineffective in certain instances, many contain more harmful chemicals than safe and effective natural products like gingko biloba and vitamins E and C. For this reason, supplements should not be used as a routine part of your daily regimen. Always consult your doctor before starting any new course of treatment, especially if you’re suffering from any illness or condition.