It’s a question that’s been on the minds of men everywhere: What’s the right Viagra pill to take before having sex? While there’s no easy answer to that question, Dr. Lisa Napoli, a physician at Henry Ford Health System and author of the ‘How to Choose a Man’s Medicine’ recommends that men consider the following five factors when choosing a Viagra pill to take before sex.
The Type Of Encounter You’ll Have
You may be wondering if there’s a specific type of Viagra pill that you should take before having a one-night stand or an illicit affair. Well, the good news is that there isn’t. In general, Viagra is effective for all types of sexual encounters. The following are some examples of when a particular type of Viagra pill may be more effective than others.
- If you’re having trouble maintaining an erection during sex, then consider the type of erection you’re having. People with penile dysmorphic disorder (which is a type of ED) may experience decreased erectile function due to a large penis. While there’s no sure-fire way to know if you have this condition, you can look for the following characteristics:
- You may experience pain during sex
- The penis doesn’t seem to stay erect during sexual activity
- You have trouble maintaining an erection which affects your ability to have sex
Because of the side effects that some patients experience with Sildenafil, and because this type of ED medication was originally designed for use in heart disease (to treat irregular heartbeats), your doctor may suggest that you try one of the following remedies:
- Tadalafil
- Sildenafil
- Vardenafil
However, you don’t have to take my word for it. Check out this resource for more information on the different kinds of ED pills available today.
How Effective Is It?
One of the most important questions when it comes to choosing a prescription drug is how effective it is. Luckily for you, we’re here to answer that question. Let’s take a look.
- In clinical trials, the following were the results for Viagra:
- Sildenafil increased the rate of patient satisfaction by more than 20%
- Erections lasted for up to four hours in 90% of those who took the drug
- A majority of the participants (55%) were able to have sex with satisfactory results
- Most patients (68%) felt that the medication improved their quality of life
As you can see, the data for Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, is extremely promising. This medication increases the blood flow to the penis and allows for sufficient blood to fill the chambers of the penis. As a result, you may experience a harder erection which lasts longer. All of this is reflected in the drug’s clinical effectiveness rating of 90% (according to the FDA). For more information on this rating and the various factors that went into it, check out this article from the FDA.
Does It Have Any Side Effects?
While we’re on the subject of medications, let’s discuss their side effects. All medications have side effects, but some are more harmful than others. This is where choosing a medication comes in. Because so many men are concerned about side effects, here’s a quick overview of the most common side effects associated with Viagra:
- Headaches (9%)
- Flushing (6%)
- Indigestion (5%)
- Dizziness (5%)
- Rapid Heartbeat (4%)
- Feeling of Weakness (4%)
- Shortness of Breath (3%)
As you can see, the side effects for Viagra are relatively low – especially compared to other medications that can be found in the same chemical class. Some men have even gone as far as to say that they would take this medication over other drugs that they’re more familiar with. Does this sound like something that you’d be interested in trying?
Does It Need To Be Stored Cold?
Many medications, including Viagra, need to be stored cold in order to be effective. When you store a medication in a cold place (such as the fridge), it becomes concentrated, and this increases its potency. The cold also slows down the metabolizing process of the medication, allowing for greater therapeutic effect. As a general rule of thumb, always keep your medications in a cool, dark place. If you forget about this and leave them out in the heat, then they may become less effective over time.
How Long Do You Need To Take It For?
Now that we’ve gone over the important information about the types of Viagra that are available, how effective they are, and how they work, let’s take a look at the most common questions that arise concerning their use.
The first thing you need to do is to determine how long you need to take the medication for. Remember: You’ll need to take it at least two hours before having sex in order for the medication to take effect. Take a bit of advice from the FDA and try to anticipate when you might need this medication. For instance, if you know that you’ll be having sex within the next two hours, then you might want to consider taking the medication ahead of time. Doing this could help you avoid any unpleasant surprises once you’re physically active.
The only downside to having sex sooner rather than later is that you won’t be able to fully appreciate it. Remember: Your body hasn’t had time to adjust to the medication, and if you have an erection that lasts more than four hours, then this could be a sign of medical disorder. However, if this is something that happens frequently, then you might want to consult a doctor so that they can rule out any underlying medical condition.
Is It Pregnancy Category C?
Some medications are more dangerous to your health than others when it comes to pregnancy. You need to be especially careful with medications that are in category C, which means that they are considered to be category B and lower in category D medications (the latter two being the most dangerous).
Based on the available data, it appears that Viagra is a safe drug to take during pregnancy. However, if you’re taking other types of ED medication, then you need to be extra careful when considering fertility. As a general rule of thumb, if you’re not sure whether or not you’re permitted to take a medication during pregnancy, then ask your doctor first. They will be the ones who can give you the appropriate advice and help you decide which medication is the best for you.
Conclusion
While there’s no single right answer when it comes to choosing a Viagra pill to take before having sex, there are several factors that you need to consider. First and foremost, pick a dose that’s appropriate for your weight. If you weigh less than 85 pounds, then you may only need one pill. If you weigh more than this, then you might need two pills or even three. Remember: The larger the dose, the greater the risk of side effects. Second, make sure that you’re not allergic to the medication. If you are, then you may need to consult an allergist so that they can put on record what you’re allergic to. Third, find out if the medication has any drug interactions. Certain medications can interact with each other, and this can either enhance or reduce their effectiveness. Lastly, determine how long it takes for the medication to start working. This depends on the type of medication that you’re taking, but for Sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra) the usual timeframe is between 30 minutes and an hour. However, this will vary per person and may take longer or shorter than expected. Check out this page from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (4A’s) for more information on drug interactions and how to avoid them.
As always, your doctor is the best source of information on medications, and they will be able to advise you on the safest and most effective way to manage your ED. In the meantime, it’s good to know what options are out there and the factors that you need to consider before choosing a medication.