Has anyone ever said that you’re not supposed to ask questions about Viagra or other pharmaceutical products? Well, they’re right – especially when it comes to these types of drugs. However, when you’re trying to decide whether or not to take a medication, the last thing you want to do is go against medical advice and cause yourself even more damage than you already have. In fact, there are a lot of myths and half-truths surrounding pharmaceutical products, which is why we’re going to bust some of the common myths about Viagra.
Myth 1: Viagra Is Only For Men With Erectile Dysfunction
Let’s be honest – most men experience erectile dysfunction at some point in their lives. If it’s not you, then it’s going to be your dad, your uncle, or some other guy you know. With that being said, there are plenty of women who take advantage of Viagra, especially since it’s now available as a generic drug. One of the reasons why Viagra is so popular and prescribed so often is because it’s extremely effective for men who have trouble getting or maintaining an erection. That is not all it’s used for, however, as we will discuss later. The good news is that there are many alternatives for men who need help with erectile dysfunction, including dietary supplements and exercise. But before we get into those options, let’s take a quick look at what Viagra is and what it does.
What Is Viagra?
Viagra is an acronym for the drug (sildenafil citrate). It was originally developed and patented in the 1980s by Pfizer. Its primary use is to treat erectile dysfunction – but this is only one of its uses. According to the FDA, “Viagra and other phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors treat erectile dysfunction by enhancing the effects of nitric oxide (NO) in the penis.” In plain English, this means that Viagra and similar drugs temporarily relax the blood vessels in your penis so you can achieve and maintain an erection that is long enough to have sex. This is different from regular penile injections, which are meant to keep your penis permanently erect. What’s more, this type of therapy is becoming more and more effective as technology improves and the side effects become less and less severe. That’s probably why Pfizer decided to remove Viagra from its list of patent-eligible medicines – because it knew there would be continuous competition.
What Do I Need To Know About Viagra?
If you’re thinking about taking Viagra, then you need to have a good idea of what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. Are you sure that you really need it? Are you even sure that you want it? There are a lot of risks and side effects that you need to be aware of, especially since it’s a medication that’s meant to be taken orally. Some of these risks include:
- headaches
- dizziness
- abdominal pain
- nausea
- diabetes
- heart disease
- high blood pressure
- sudden cardiac arrest
- problems with breathing
- vision problems
- mental confusion
- muscle pain
- pain in the jaw, neck, back, or arms
- irritability
- fever
- rash
- swollen glands
- bleeding
- severe allergic reaction
- chest pain
- heart attack
- black stool
- vision problems
- bleeding
- seizures
- high blood pressure
- mental confusion
- and more…
As you can see, these are some pretty serious side effects. Thankfully, they’re relatively rare, but still – these are potentially deadly side effects. That’s the good news. The bad news is that some of these risks are either unavoidable or highly likely to occur. For instance, if you have diabetes, then you’re going to have headaches and dizziness as a result of taking Viagra. There’s no way around it. So, it’s important to be aware of these risks before you start taking the medication. In some cases, the risks can be reduced or avoided with proper diet and medication management. In other cases, the risks are so high that it’s not worth it. Either way, it’s a decision that you need to make wisely.
Is It Worth It?
Before you answer that, consider the benefits. As we mentioned before, Viagra is a medication that was originally developed for men with erectile dysfunction. Since then, it’s been prescribed for all kinds of other conditions as well – including heart disease, high blood pressure, and even asthma. Over the past three years, the FDA has approved more than 50 prescriptions for Viagra and similar drugs. According to Healthline, “More and more men are realizing the benefits of ED medication, as studies show that ED medications are better than placebo (inactive substance) for treating erectile dysfunction and increasing sexual satisfaction for men and their partners.” So, in other words, the benefits of taking Viagra and similar drugs appear to outweigh the risks for most men and women. However, as we’ve established, this is not always the case. In some cases, the risks are so high that it’s not worth it.
When it comes to your health and the health of your loved ones, you want to be sure that you’re doing everything you can to ensure the best possible outcome. Sometimes, that means putting your needs and wants aside and making a decision that is best for the other person. In other cases, it means making the decision together. In either case, it’s a personal decision that you need to make – after you weigh the risks and the benefits. You’re the best person to make that decision, because only you know what’s best for you and your personal situation.
Do The Research
One of the things that makes Viagra so popular and effective is because it’s such a common drug. For that reason, it’s extremely easy to find out what you need to know about the medication and its side effects. With a few clicks of a button, you can get all the necessary information online. Visit websites like Rx-Advisor.com or your local library’s public website to get the data you need. Remember, though, that the information is out there, so you don’t need to go looking for it. Just make sure that you’re aware of the risks before you take the medication. In some cases, these risks can be reduced or avoided with proper diet and medication management. For other cases, the risks are simply too great.
Talk To Your Doctor
If you’re thinking about taking a prescription medication, then it’s a good idea to consult with your personal physician. After all, they’ve been around the block a few times and know what’s best for you based on your unique medical history and current conditions. Remember, though, that physicians can’t prescribe all medications for all patients. They can only prescribe what they have available at their nearby pharmacy. If there aren’t any alternatives, then there’s no point wasting their time and yours with a discussion about whether or not to take the medication. In some cases, your doctor may suggest less invasive treatment options – like dietary supplements or lifestyle changes – before turning to more permanent solutions. So, if you can, you should always try and see what alternatives your doctor has to offer before deciding on a course of treatment.
More Than Meets The Eye
In some cases, men who take Viagra experience an improvement in their erectile dysfunction within a few hours of ingestion. In other cases, it takes a few days to a few weeks. Once the medication starts to work, it can take a while for the full effects to be felt. So, for best results, it’s usually recommended that you begin taking the medication at the same time every day and continue for the rest of your life. In rare instances, men have even reported improvements in their erectile dysfunction after just a few days of taking medication. So, while the medication won’t cure your erectile dysfunction, it can certainly ease the symptoms and allow you to have more enjoyable sex. In most cases, it’s simply a matter of time before you start to see improvements. If you’re interested, just remember to consult with your doctor to make sure that this is the right medication for you.