You’ve probably heard a lot about Viagra over the years, and for good reason. The drug has been around for decades and is still one of the most popular prescriptions written in the United States. But did you know that Viagra doesn’t just enhance sexual performance? It’s also been proven to reduce and prevent edema — better known as swelling.
“Viagra may be an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction, but it also has been shown to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Many patients with erectile dysfunction complain of swelling in their genitals, which can be a symptom of kidney disease. It is not known whether or not Viagra promotes or inhibits the growth of tumors, but it has been suggested that the drug might help prevent certain types of cancer. Further studies are needed to investigate these possibilities.”
How Does Viagra Work?
Viagra works by relaxing the muscles in the walls of blood vessels, allowing increased blood flow into areas of the body that you want to perk up. In other words, the drug helps improve erectile dysfunction by increasing blood flow to the penis, making it stiffer and happier in the process.
The exact same effect happens inside your vagina, which is why many women prefer to take Viagra along with their birth control pill. Vaginal dryness is one of the most common side effects of birth control pills, and many doctors recommend that women who experience this issue try adding Viagra to their regimen.
Are There Any Side Effects To Viagra?
Of course, there are always possible side effects with any type of medication or supplement. The potential side effects of Viagra include:
- Increased blood pressure
- Headache
- Swelling
- Nasal congestion
- Dizziness
- Flushing
- Stomach cramps
But as I mentioned above, these effects are relatively rare and mild. Overall, the outlook for Viagra is rather positive, especially since the drug is already being prescribed to treat conditions that could be improved with a healthy sex life — such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and erectile dysfunction. If your doc recommends that you try Viagra, then rest assured that you’re not going to hurt yourself or your sex life by taking it. Your doctor knows what they’re doing, and you should follow their instructions as closely as possible.
Is It Possible To Get Ahead Of The Edema?
If you’re already taking prescription medication for some other medical condition, it’s quite possible that your doc suggested that you try Viagra as a way to prevent or reduce edema. In these cases, your doctor might have recommended an SSRI or SNRI — specifically, Venlafaxine HCI (Effexor). These are two types of antidepressants that have been shown in studies to prevent or reduce edema. So, if you’re taking one of these medications and want to try Viagra to improve your sex life, then by all means, go for it! Just make sure your doctor knows that you’re trying to get an ED boost, not a kidney stone.
Should You Try Viagra At All?
There are a couple of scenarios where I think that Viagra might not be the best choice for preventing and reducing edema. If you’re one of these people, then here are a few alternative suggestions:
- If you’re not having trouble with your erection, then chances are you’re not going to have trouble with your ejaculation (orgasm) either. So, if you want to increase your odds of getting pregnant, then I’d suggest postponing your Viagra prescription until after you’re done conceiving. (This is just a suggestion — you should discuss this with your doctor.)
- If you’re already on the right track to get healthy kidneys, then topping off your regimen with some glucosamine might just do the trick. Remember, preventing or reducing edema doesn’t mean you need to be restricted in what you eat or drink. But it’s always a good idea to get your nutrition and hydration as closely monitored as possible.
- If you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious about trying to get pregnant, then an SSRI or SNRI might just be the option for you. But if you’re feeling confident and want to try something new, then there are alternatives like Vioxx (Rimi) that were specifically designed to improve your sex life.
In cases of severe erectile dysfunction or if you’re not having enough sex by just wearing pajamas all day, then Viagra is most certainly the solution. Just make sure you’re not messing with any kidney or hormonal systems by doing so (more info on this below). But if the above suggestions put you at ease and you’re feeling relaxed, then trying out Viagra is probably not the best idea. However, if you do end up trying it, then it’s no big deal. Just make sure that your doctor knows that you’re on this particular medication and that you’re not trying to self-diagnose or self- treat for any sort of medical condition.
The Difference Between Viagra And ED Drugs
So you’ve probably read a lot about Viagra over the years. What is it that makes this drug so special, and why should you care? Well, for starters, Viagra is approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for treating erectile dysfunction, and it’s been around for decades. But what makes this drug special is the way that it interacts with the body and the brain — specifically, the nitric oxide (NO) pathway. In layman’s terms, the NO pathway helps regulate blood vessels throughout the body, which improves blood flow, especially in the penis and the vagina.
What’s more is that Viagra is a medication that can be both preventive and curative. This means that it can be used to treat symptoms of erectile dysfunction and also be taken to prevent or reduce future episodes of this issue. It’s quite an interesting drug, and it’s not often that I recommend a medication that’s been around for so long and has such a positive impact on so many different areas of a person’s life. So, if you’re looking for a drug that can improve your sex life and also help prevent/reduce edema, then simply ask your doctor to write you a prescription for Viagra.