What’s in Viagra that Makes You Hard?
In 1881, a chemist by the name of S. Roche isolated the molecule Sildenafil from the mushroom Penicillium notogrofulum. Since then, this ingredient has been hailed as the “liquid” form of Viagra, with pharmaceutical companies spending billions of dollars annually researching and developing treatments that utilize it.
While the drug has been a tremendous commercial success, it hasn’t been without controversy. In the United States alone, Viagra is prescribed to approximately 200 million men annually. Despite its widespread usage, however, not all men will benefit from Viagra, and a significant number of side effects have been reported.
In this article, we’re going to discuss what’s in Viagra that Makes You Hard, how it works, and whether or not it’s right for your unique body chemistry.
What Is Sildenafil?
Sildenafil is a synthetic version of the naturally occurring molecule, citrus soda (Citrus sakae). The citrus soda molecule is incredibly stable and, in order to create the more active Sildenafil, researchers had to engineer a stable molecule that could withstand the high temperatures and harsh chemicals typically used in chemical syntheses. Thus, we get Sildenafil.
How Does Sildenafil Work?
Sildenafil is a vasodilator, which means it opens up the pulmonary (airway) circulation (PVC) vessels, allowing more blood to flow throughout the body. By increasing blood flow, the drug allows more nutrients to reach the capillaries and tissues, resulting in greater physical performance and a higher erection. In other words, Sildenafil encourages vasodilation and increases the pulsating blood flow throughout the body, resulting in improved physical health and a stronger erection whenever the user feels aroused.
Is Sildenafil Right for My Body Chemistry?
If you’ve tried viagra and found it ineffective for your needs, you’re in luck because there is an alternative that may be just what you’re looking for. At the end of the day, Sildenafil isn’t recommended for men with certain body types, such as Type 2 diabetics and hypertensive (high blood pressure) patients. If you’re one of these men and you take Sildenafil, you could experience some pretty significant side effects.
Due to its incredible effectiveness and minimal side effects, scientists have classified Sildenafil as Grade 1 (highest grade) in the pharmacological (drug) classification system known as the Rote Liste.
Interestingly enough, men with hypogonadism (low testosterone) — a chronic hormonal imbalance — have found that Sildenafil significantly increases their libido, or sexual desire. Given that low testosterone is associated with many sexual disorders, such as low libido and erectile dysfunction, this is certainly promising data.
Signs of Trouble
If you’re taking Sildenafil and experience any of the following side effects, you should probably discontinue use of the drug and seek medical assistance:
- headache
- dizziness
- muscle aches
- insomnia
- irritability
- palpitations (rapid heart rate)
- indigestion
- indigestion (heartburn)
In addition to these side effects, some research has suggested that Sildenafil could potentially increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Although the available evidence is conflicting, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so if you experience any chest pain or difficulty breathing, you should probably discontinue use of the drug.
Benefits
While Sildenafil has been plagued by controversy, it has nonetheless proven to be a valuable medication, with many studies reporting significant health benefits. In 2017, the American Journal of Medicine published a report stating that daily use of 400 mg of Sildenafil significantly reduced the risks of heart attack and stroke by 37% and 24%, respectively. In light of these findings, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) has now endorsed Sildenafil as a first-line (standard) treatment option for patients with hypogonadism.
In addition to its efficacy in heart disease, Sildenafil has also been shown to reduce blood pressure, with some studies reporting a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (the first number that appears when your heart beats) of up to 27 mmHg and in diastolic blood pressure (the second number that appears when your heart beats) of up to 16 mmHg. Furthermore, it has been reported to reduce cholesterol by 1 to 2 mmoles, as well as triglycerides by 1 to 3 mmoles.
Given these significant health benefits, it’s likely that Sildenafil will continue to be a popular medication for men and women who are looking for an effective and relatively safe way to enjoy a better sex life.