Sildenafil (the chemical compound that makes up Viagra) is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men. However, beyond treating an erection problem, studies have shown that sildenafil may also be able to help men who suffer from low libido (weak sexual desire), anxiety, and depression.
In this article, we’ll discuss the uses and side effects of Viagra, as well as how some people might be able to benefit from taking this medication.
Treats Erectile Dysfunction In Men
Erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection that is sufficient for the occasion. It is most often accompanied by physical or mental anxiety and is often a side effect of medications for other conditions. Erectile dysfunction affects around 50 million men in the U.S. alone.
Because sildenafil is a medication that is already available to treat other conditions, doctors often prescribe it for erectile dysfunction instead of prescribing a patient a brand-new drug for this condition. However, even though it’s been around for a while, Viagra is still considered to be a relatively new medication for treating erectile dysfunction in men. Hence, many doctors do not know how it will react with other medications a man is taking or has taken in the past.
May Help Men With Depression And Anxiety
Men who suffer from depression and anxiety often times show altered libido (sexual desire), energy, and attention, which makes them appear different from how a man who is not depressed and anxious normally behaves. As noted by the Physicians’ Desk Reference (PDR), ‘a patient’s history of depression or anxiety may be a significant factor in selecting treatment for ED’ (erectile dysfunction).
Sildenafil has been proven in studies to improve symptoms of depression and anxiety in men. A review of scientific studies on sildenafil and mental health conducted by the National Cancer Institute found that the drug ‘may improve the emotional state and quality of life of men with prostate cancer’. Another study in 2012 found that sildenafil may help improve the mental health of men with ‘a history of depression or anxiety’. However, these studies were small, and more research is needed to confirm these findings.
It’s also important to note that even though sildenafil has been proven in studies to help with depression and anxiety, it does not guarantee that a man will feel better or will be able to function at his optimal capacity. Only time will tell whether or not sildenafil will help a man with depression and anxiety improve their quality of life or if it will just be another drug they try that does not work for them.
May Help Men With Low Libido
A man’s sex drive (libido) is affected by a variety of factors, including genetics, age, health, and lifestyle, and can vary from day to day and on a whim. There are also various medical conditions that can cause a man’s libido to decrease. For example, both diabetes and hypothyroidism have been known to cause decreased sex drive in men. However, these conditions are quite treatable and do not have to prevent a man from having an active sex life.
As previously noted, altered libido is common among men who suffer from depression and anxiety. However, there is also a condition known as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). This is similar to erectile dysfunction in that it is characterized by a lack of sexual interest, but differs in that it is also marked by a lack of energy and drive. Some men who suffer from HSDD may also have reduced muscle tone, making it more difficult for them to achieve or maintain an erection. Hence, they may also benefit from taking sildenafil or another medication for erectile dysfunction.
Reduces An Anxiety Sensation During Erection
During an erection, a man experiences an increased heart rate and blood pressure, as well as a decreased sense of worry and anxiety, which makes him feel freer than he normally would during everyday life. As a result of this decreased anxiety, he may feel more comfortable asking a woman for sex or doing things he might not have felt comfortable doing before, like proposing marriage or having a one-night stand.
There have been case reports of men who have found that sildenafil helped to relieve their anxiety during an erection, which in some instances has led to increased sexual desire and activity. While this is an exciting hypothesis, scientific studies have yet to confirm that sildenafil can increase sexual function in men or help to reduce their anxiety during an erection.
How Does It Work?
Sildenafil is a type of medication known as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. This is because it stops the enzyme phosphodiesterase from breaking down the neurotransmitter cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), which is responsible for transmitting signals across the nerve endings in the brain and body. This action makes it possible for more neurotransmitters to stay active for longer periods of time and for the body to produce more natural sensations, like warm feelings and erections. As a result, men who take sildenafil may experience improved sexual function and potency, and less anxiety during and after sexual activity. This is because cAMP allows nerve endings in the body to relax and become more receptive to stimulation, which in turn leads to increased sexual desire and function. However, it should be noted that just because a man takes sildenafil does not mean that his erectile dysfunction will be cured or improved. It simply means that his body will be able to produce a harder and longer-lasting erection, which in some cases may be enough for the man to have sex with his partner. In other cases, it may even be enough to allow him to get some sleep afterward.
The use of sildenafil to treat erectile dysfunction has been well-documented in medical journals since 1998 and has been accepted by the FDA for this use. However, this is not to say that all men with erectile dysfunction will be able tobenefit from sildenafil. As with most medications, the age of a man and his general health will play a role in whether or not sildenafil is going to be effective for him. Only time will tell whether or not this medication will be able to help a man with erectile dysfunction get and stay aroused for a sexual encounter, but for now, it is still considered to be a safe and effective way to treat this condition.