Last modified: September 26, 2017
Have you ever felt frustrated because you don’t know what makes a drug effective? Or, given the choice, do you feel like you’d prefer to take a quick pill rather than spend the time figuring out how to boost your body’s natural healing processes? If so, then it’s time to seek out the remedy for your condition – Viagra!
Created for affluent men over 40 who can’t keep a regular erection, Viagra is a prescription drug that helps with the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). It’s also one of the most popularly prescribed medications worldwide, with approximately 125 million prescriptions written annually.
It’s no secret that erectile dysfunction can be caused by a variety of factors. Sometimes, it may be due to organic issues such as diabetes or heart disease. In other cases, it could be caused by psychosocial factors like stress or anxiety. In rare instances, it could be due to drug use, especially when taking certain medications such as alpha-blockers or cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Regardless of the cause, when it comes to treating ED, the first step is always the same: diagnose the problem. To do this, your doctor will perform a physical examination, review your medical history, and perhaps order some blood tests. Once the underlying condition has been identified, your doctor may prescribe you a treatment plan that includes medication, supplements (such as vitamin E), or psychotherapy. In most cases, simple changes in lifestyle – such as quitting smoking or drinking alcohol – can also help improve the condition.
In some instances, medication may be the preferred treatment. For instance, if you have mild diabetes or heart disease, your doctor may recommend that you take a combination of drugs known as phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors – common examples of which are Viagra and Cialis. These medications work by increasing the amount of nitric oxide in your blood, which then enhances the ability of your penile tissue to relax and expand. This, in turn, results in an erection that is both satisfactory and sustainable.
There are also a variety of natural remedies that you might try if you are looking for an ED treatment that doesn’t involve medication. Some people feel that vitamin E supplements can help improve their erectile function. While most people think of vitamin E when it comes to preventing premature aging, it also has some rather beneficial effects on the human body. For example, it has been shown in studies to reduce the inflammation that is often associated with ED. You can also try tongkat ali, a tropical fruit that is native to the Philippines. It’s known locally there as “mountain apple” or “bullseye fruit,” and the botanical name is Dalbergia odorifera. In a small study published in the Journal of Urology, participants who took 200 mg of tongkat ali daily reported significant improvements in their erectile function as measured by the internationally recognized prostate exam known as the PSA. In this study, 75% of the subjects reported improvements in their erectile function, while 25% reported no change.
In some instances, medication may not be the first choice for treating ED. If you’re one of the 25% who experience no change in erectile function, your doctor may prescribe an Alpha-blocker. This drug class acts by easing the smooth muscle spasms in your penile tissue. As a result, you may experience an improvement in erectile function. However, not all Alpha-blockers are created equal. Your doctor may advise you to seek out specific branded drugs that have been thoroughly studied for their benefits. One such example is Avodart, which is marketed as a prescription medication for men with prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In clinical trials, Avodart has been shown to increase the likelihood of getting an erection that is both spontaneous and sustained. Aside from easing the spasms in your urinary tract, Avodart has also been demonstrated to improve sexual function in men with ED.
How DO You Take Viagra?
Like many prescription medications, Viagra comes with a set of instructions that doctors, pharmacists, and patients must follow in order to ensure that the medication is taken properly and at the recommended dosage. These instructions are called ‘dosage guidelines,’ and they are very straightforward. The guidelines advise you to take the medication at the same time every day, usually in the morning, and to avoid taking the medication if you are already taking another ED medication. Since Viagra is a PDE5 inhibitor, it can actually interact with and potentially reduce the effects of other ED medications. For this reason, it is vital that you consult your doctor regarding the proper way to take your medication and any possible interactions. Your doctor may suggest a different dosage regimen depending on your specific case. You should always follow the instructions carefully as misinterpretation of the dosage could potentially lead to serious consequences.
While many people choose to pop a Viagra whenever they need it, some people object to taking it daily. If you feel that your ED is sufficiently well-controlled by a single dose every several weeks, you may choose to skip a day or more without feeling any sort of adverse effect. However, if you have a severe case of ED that requires chronic daily medication, then it’s important to follow the instructions precisely.
How Effective Is It?
Taking a quick glance at the drug’s effectiveness rates might suggest that Viagra is a rather lackluster medication. However, this could not be further from the truth. While the medication can help with the initial treatment of erectile dysfunction, it can also be quite effective in helping patients who have tried and failed to achieve an erection on their own. In these cases, the medication can provide significant and often lasting relief. If you’re interested in a long-term therapy that can help prevent ED, then it may be a good option to consider. For people with severe cases of ED that don’t respond to traditional treatment methods, it can be a godsend to finally find relief.
The bottom line is that while Viagra doesn’t offer a lot in terms of effectiveness, it certainly doesn’t deserve the bad rap that it has often been assigned in the past. With proper use, it can be one of the most effective medications available for men with erectile dysfunction, making it worthy of its position as a commonly prescribed medication worldwide.