It’s been five years since Viagra hit the scene, and it’s revolutionized the way men think about sex – and themselves within it. But now that erection dysfunction is actually being recognized as a global health issue, it’s time for the blue pill to evolve.
Here are six reasons why Viagra may not be working for you any longer.
1. Age
Viagra is a medication that’s been around for more than 50 years and was originally developed to treat high blood pressure. While there are no explicit guidelines regarding how old a man needs to be to benefit from Viagra, the drug doesn’t seem to be effective in preventing disease – or restoring youthful sex drives – in later life. Not surprising, since one of the side effects of getting older is a less-than-perfect ability to respond to medicines. Maybe you’re just not the right candidate for Viagra because of your age.
It’s been said that men experience ED more frequently than other chronic diseases. According to the American Academy of Physicians, about 75% of men between the ages of 40 and 70 experience some form of ED. And while there are many causes for ED, one of the main factors is age. As men get older, the likelihood of experiencing ED increases.
2. Weight
A healthy diet and exercise are the ultimate weapons against obesity, a condition that not only affects men’s sexual function but also their overall fitness and quality of life. A study from Saint Louis University found that men with a higher body mass index (BMI) were about twice as likely to experience ED as men with a lower BMI. Being overweight also puts you at greater risk for heart disease and early death. So it’s not just about sex anymore; weight is also an issue.
There are now several diet and exercise apps that track your progress and provide you with a weekly report on how you’re doing. These tools make it easy to monitor and improve your health and sexual performance, and let you know when and where you’re going wrong. For example, if you’re not getting the results you want from the Ketogenic Diet, you might want to try the 5k to 7k Low-Carb Diet or the Flexitarian Plan.
3. Smoking
Just like with weight, nicotine is a proven aphrodisiac and the main ingredient in most recreational drugs. It’s also been shown to have negative effects on male fertility. So if you’re a guy who smokes, you might want to stop because of the impact it has on your sex life as well as your health.
There are plenty of replacement therapies available for those who want to maintain their sexual health while avoiding tobacco. For example, the phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor sildenafil (Viagra) can help to improve erectile function and allow men to get an adequate erection for sexual intercourse. In clinical trials, sildenafil was shown to be more effective than the placebo in increasing the likelihood of achieving an erectile response and leading to greater sexual satisfaction. This medication is also prescribed for pulmonary arterial hypertension and ischemic heart disease, two forms of cardiovascular disease that affect men more frequently than women. It’s also available in both oral and injectable forms.
4. Depression
A healthy sex drive is dependent on your mental health, and vice versa. Numerous studies have shown that having a good mental health significantly increases your odds of having an acceptable sexual life. This is probably because happy and satisfied men are more likely to engage in healthy and satisfying sexual relationships. Men who are more often frustrated and dissatisfied with their sex lives are more likely to have ED. So if you’re feeling low, the first step is to seek help from a professional; however, there are natural methods you can try as well.
Depression can cause a number of problems, including a poor appetite, lack of energy, and anxiety. It can also lead to changes in sexual behavior, such as decreased sexual desire and arousal. But there are ways to improve your sexual health while minimizing the effects of depression. For example, you might want to try participating in an exercise program or taking up a hobby that involves physical activity. It is also important to maintain a healthy diet, especially since food influences our mood. Finally, seeing a professional to discuss your symptoms and determine the root cause of your depression is key to improving your quality of life and sexual health.
5. Alcohol
Alcohol has been shown to both decrease and delay sex drives in men. A study from North Carolina State University found that men who consumed at least four drinks per day had a 57% reduction in their desire for sex, while those who drank three to four drinks per day had a 64% reduction compared to men who didn’t drink alcohol. Acute alcohol intoxication (up to four drinks per day) also results in a significant decrease in sexual desire in men, especially in those with a healthy sex drive. It also causes a delay in the onset of puberty in teens, which results in a decrease in their overall level of sexual desire. So if you drink alcohol, try to limit your intake to no more than four drinks per day, especially if you’re already having problems with your libido.
However, consuming alcohol in moderation can also have positive effects on sexual health. Ethanol, the active ingredient in alcohol, has been shown in studies to both increase and improve sexual behaviors and function. The hormone oxytocin, which is released during mother-child bonding and in virgin birth, has also been shown to increase sexual desire in men and women. Oxytocin is present in both men and women, but research suggests that it’s particularly effective in boosting women’s libido. This suggests that drinking alcohol may help to restore your natural birthright as a womanizer!
6. Medications
There are also several medications that can interfere with your ability to have an erection, and some of these interfere in a very specific manner. For example, the antidepressants venlafaxine (Effexor) and mirtazapine (Remeron) are both known to cause a decrease in the blood flow to the genitals, resulting in ED. So if these medications have ever caused you to experience ED, it’s important to talk with your doctor about changing your dosing or trying a different course of action.
While most medications have some sort of negative effect on your sexual health, there are also a few that can actually boost your sex drive and make you a better lover. For example, the sleep aid zolpidem (Ambien) can increase the secretion of prolactin, a hormone that increases both the sex drive and the sensitivity of the penis during sex. So if your doctor has ever prescribed you an SNRI (serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor), consider what effect that has on your sex life, as well as whether or not it’s worth the side effects.
With each new generation, it seems that the quest for a perfect penis enlarges. And while there are various methods to increase your organ’s size, none of them are completely risk-free. Not to mention the various side effects that such rigorous programs may cause. Is there some other factor at play that could explain why Viagra isn’t curing men any longer of their erectile dysfunction? If so, which of these factors is responsible and how can you fix it? Let’s take a look.