Good day, dear readers! Erectile dysfunction (impotence) is a type of male sexual dysfunction disorder. You can read about it here . There are many effective treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED). Some of them are oral inhibitors of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5), which include sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), tadalafil (Cialis) and the new drug avanafil (Stendra). The most popular among men is Viagra. In this article, we will look at how Viagra works for men.
Sildenafil (Viagra) was originally synthesized for the treatment of arterial hypertension and angina pectoris. However, it became the first drug approved in the USA (1998) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (impotence). Today it is the main method of treating ED, naturally taking into account the balance of risk and benefit.
To get an erection, it is necessary that the heart, blood vessels, hormones, nervous system and even mood be in harmony. Essentially, an erection basically boils down to an increase in blood flow to the penis and the retention of this blood in special erectile tissues (cavernous bodies) of the penis.
Erect penis contains 8 times more blood than a flaccid penis.
Eventually, the blood rush into the corpus cavernosum is released, the erection ends, and the blood flow returns to normal. The role of Viagra is that for a certain time, due to the inhibition of the PDE5 enzyme, it prevents the outflow of blood from the erect penis.
How does Viagra work for men?
The enzyme PDE-5 is mainly in the smooth muscles of the cavernous body of the penis and stimulates their relaxation, which ensures normal blood flow in the penis, but not sufficient for men with erectile dysfunction.
An erection that lasts for several hours can damage the penis. Therefore, all drugs for ED contain a warning about the danger of erection “lasting more than 4 hours.” The problem occurs when the PDE-5 enzyme is so strong that it stops an erection before it starts. If PDE-5 starts up too early, it may make it difficult to maintain an erection.
The active ingredient of Viagra is the PDE5 inhibitor Sildenafil, which does not directly affect the relaxation of the smooth muscles of the cavernous body, but it blocks the function of the enzyme PDE-5 and allows the blood vessels of the penis to relax and expand, which leads to an increase in blood flow to the penis. It must be borne in mind that PDE5 inhibitors do not cause an erection, but only facilitate its development. Therefore, for the occurrence of erection need adequate sexual stimulation.
Erectile dysfunction: how erection works
The overactive enzyme PDE-5 is not the only thing that can cause erectile dysfunction (ED). In fact, ED is often a sign of more serious health problems, such as:
- heart diseases;
- high blood pressure;
- low testosterone levels ;
- diabetes;
- high cholesterol ;
- nerve damage;
- depression ;
- or sleep apnea .
If you experience any symptoms of ED, including difficulty in getting an erection or a weaker erection, consult your doctor. Find out if ED is the result of something more serious, and what you can do about it.
Common side effects of Viagra
The most common side effects of Viagra are headache, hot flashes and dyspepsia (indigestion). Other side effects may include:
- nasal congestion;
- sharp deterioration in sight;
- back pain and muscle pain;
- nausea;
- dizziness;
- rash.
Side effects of Viagra: dose size
The initial dose of Viagra is usually 50 mg. But your health care provider can change your dose to 25 mg or 100 mg based on two main factors:
- How well does the medicine work (for example, does your dose of Viagra give an erection?)
- Do you have side effects and how serious are they?
Side Effects: Viagra vs. Cialis
Everyone reacts to medication for erectile dysfunction in a different way. This usually means the effectiveness of getting an erection. But it can also mean the frequency or severity of side effects. It is because of these side effects that some men prefer Viagra Cialis.
One of the main differences between Viagra and Cialis is how quickly the drug leaves your body. Viagra remains in the body for up to 8 hours, and Cialis lasts up to 36 hours. 36 hours is a lot of extra time for spontaneity in the bedroom. But it is also a long time to deal with headaches, nasal congestion, or other side effects of the use of drugs for ED, if they occur.
When should I seek medical help?
Adverse reactions to Viagra depend on a number of factors. You should stop using Viagra and immediately contact your doctor if you experience any of the following side effects:
- vision loss;
- sudden hearing loss;
- dizziness;
- an erection lasting more than 4 hours (priapism).
Ways to increase the effectiveness of Viagra
Viagra is effective in about 75% of cases. However, it may be less effective for men with diseases such as nerve damage or even diabetes. If Viagra does not work, or it is not as effective as we would like, then you have some simple ways to make Viagra more effective:
- Take Viagra on an empty stomach. Food (especially fatty foods) can block the absorption of Viagra, making it less effective
- Safely stop taking medicines that can worsen erectile dysfunction. Antihistamines, high blood pressure medications, allergies, depression, pain medications and anxiety medications, Sudfed and anti-inflammatory drugs are just some of the drugs that can cause erectile dysfunction.
- Determine the root cause of your erectile dysfunction. Your ED may be caused by depression, trauma, nerve damage, or more serious conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease. Talk to your doctor about what tests you need to take to find out the cause of your erectile dysfunction.
- Try Viagra several times . Many doctors recommend using Viagra up to 8 times before changing the medicine or increasing the dose. Be consistent. Ask your doctor how to change to a new dose, if necessary.
- Increase the dose . If you are taking 25 or 50 mg, ask your doctor if you need a switch to a higher dose of Viagra (50 or 100 mg).
- Change the medication . Viagra is not suitable for everyone. Ask your doctor if Cialis, Levitra, Stendra, or other drugs are right for you.
- Try alternative treatments for ED. Oral medications are not the only way to treat ED. Talk to your doctor about other options, including: a strapon (special penis attachment), penis-worn rings, and even sound therapy.
When Viagra is not working
It is important to talk with your doctor before you start taking medications for erectile dysfunction. Tell him about your expectations regarding medications, your results and any side effects that you experience. Work with your doctor to make Viagra more effective.
In this article, we looked at how Viagra works for men, the possible side effects of its use and ways to increase its effectiveness.