William Lawson, MD, PhD, DLFAPA

Providing Quality Psychiatric Solutions

Viagra For Erectile Dysfunction Treatment

What is Viagra?

Most men who are faced with such an unpleasant disease as erectile dysfunction, of course, are looking for means to restore a normal sex life. Viagra is the most famous drug used for combating erectile dysfunction. Its impeccable reputation is due to the fact that it was the first drug for the treatment of potency problems that was safe for a man's health, provided that he had no contraindications and restrictions for use listed in the instructions for using Viagra. At the same time, despite the fact that the history of the use of this medicine has been going on for more than 20 years and all aspects of its action have been carefully studied many times by specialists from various countries - pharmacologists and pharmacists, psychologists, sexologists, urologists and even cardiologists - still, many men have doubts about what Viagra really is. Is it some kind of magic tool that makes any man who can't achieve an erection become a sex giant? Perhaps this is some kind of aphrodisiac, a stimulant, the so-called "chemistry", which can cause an addictive effect, and once you try to use this remedy, nothing will work without it?

In fact, everything is much more prosaic. The action of Viagra is explained by the elementary laws of human biochemistry. The active ingredient in this medicine is Sildenafil Citrate. This is an artificially synthesized selective inhibitor of the enzyme PDE-5 (phosphodiesterase type 5). It is this enzyme that is responsible for stopping an erection, so preventing its production in the cavernous bodies of the penis is so important for a man to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for a full sexual intercourse for a long time. In addition, Sildenafil citrate has a vasodilating effect, mainly local, which is again associated with the selectivity of its action. In addition to the vessels of the penis, Sildenafil mainly affects the vessels of the lungs. Related to this is the fact that Viagra was originally invented as a cure for pulmonary arterial hypertension. It is indeed effective against it, however, Viagra has become much more widely used as an effective drug for normalizing potency, and for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension, the same active substance is sold under the trade name Revatio, which saves people with PAH from unnecessary associations associated with the name Viagra.

Viagra is not an aphrodisiac and doesn't work if the man doesn't experience sexual arousal or at least local sexual stimulation. In addition, aphrodisiacs are substances whose action is similar to that of narcotic substances, and most aphrodisiacs, in addition to inciting an artificial desire for intimacy, are addictive. Meanwhile, Viagra is not a drug to which any dependence develops, whether physiological or psychological. Of course, a man can begin to feel confident and ready for bed exploits only if he buys the coveted pill and takes it, but this is already an issue that should be worked out with a sex psychologist, and it has nothing to do with the biochemical properties of the drug used. With the same success, a conditionally positive reflex to taking, for example, a dietary supplement, any vitamins, and even committing some ritual action, for example, saying the affirmation "I am a sexually wealthy man who can satisfy any woman" in front of the mirror. Thus, Viagra is neither a narcotic, nor an aphrodisiac, nor any artificial hormone that increases male libido and promotes the growth of sexual desire. Also, this medicine, despite all its effectiveness, is not a universal way to solve any problems with erection. There are times when taking this medicine is inappropriate and useless. Such cases include serious damage to the spinal cord, mainly due to trauma, as well as a violation of the hormonal balance of the male body. In the case of an imbalance of sex hormones and thyroid hormones, if you will buy Viagra online, it will not help, as well as if problems with potency are caused by taking certain medications. These include antidepressants and some other drugs. If there are any hormonal disorders, it is recommended to solve the problem first of all with an endocrinologist. This case also includes an excessive decrease in the male sex hormone testosterone. Some men require hormone replacement therapy, and taking Viagra and other drugs like it will only create an unnecessary burden on the body without leading to any tangible effect.

The reason for a strong weakening of libido may be a lack of certain vitamins and minerals, while taking Viagra is also not very advisable, and you need to focus your efforts on normalizing the diet and taking vitamin-mineral complexes on the recommendation of a doctor, optimally after conducting appropriate tests. It shouldn't be forgotten that, despite the fact that Viagra effectively helps to mobilize a man's potency reserve if he feels tired, this medicine shouldn't be abused as a means that spurs an overstressed body. It is better to give yourself a good rest, get enough sleep, avoid overwork. All this is very important for the normal functioning of the male reproductive system.

Does Viagra Work for Women?

For many women, the question of whether there is any effective drug for increasing sexual performance for them, like male Viagra, is very acute. The discussion about whether Viagra is effective for women has been going on almost since the moment this medicine entered the global pharmaceutical market. Back in 2002, several scientific studies were devoted to this issue. In particular, this problem was discussed at the 10th World Congress of the International Society for Research on Sexuality and Impotence in Montreal (https://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/news/20020926/viagra-may-work-in-women-too).

Viagra works on men due to the fact that it can greatly increase blood flow to the penis due to the fact that the cavernous bodies of the penis contain tissues that are sensitive to the effects of Sildenafil, since it is in them that the PDE-5 enzyme is produced. In women, there is no similar distribution of tissues sensitive to Sildenafil in the genital area. It is still not clear how big a role insufficient blood flow plays in female sexual problems, but some researchers believe that a woman's lack of arousal in some cases may be associated with impaired blood flow in the genital organs, and that Viagra may indirectly improve it and influence positively female sexual experience (Sildenafil for Female Sexual Dysfunction). At the same time, unlike the case with men, when the effect of Viagra is clearly pronounced and due to the fact that due to the expanding vessels, the cavernous bodies of the penis work as a pump that provides a strong erection, in the case of women, the drug acts in a more general way. It can increase the sensitivity in the genital area during sex, can contribute to a faster onset of arousal and orgasm. However, about 40% of women who tried male Viagra experienced no change in sensation other than side effects that included headache, facial flushing, nausea, and dizziness. These side effects are systemic and are primarily related to the effect of Sildenafil on pulmonary artery pressure. It should not be forgotten that there can be a great variety of causes of women's problems with sex, from untreated sexually transmitted diseases to inflammatory processes in the internal genital organs and their structural features, and in each case a thorough medical examination is necessary to identify the cause of unsatisfactory sexual life.

In general, Viagra doesn't cause any radical changes in the sexual life of women. In the event that the cause of unsatisfactory sexual intercourse for women is circulatory failure in the pelvis, the first line treatment is to normalize the lifestyle. It is extremely important not to lead a sedentary lifestyle, spend at least 2 hours a day in the fresh air and engage in regular physical exercise.

Is Viagra Safe?

The question of whether Viagra is a safe drug is the most widely discussed after whether Viagra is effective at all. And if Viagra is really effective in a huge number of cases of male erectile dysfunction, then with regard to its safety, this is a more subtle issue. First of all, it should be noted that Viagra is conditionally safe only if the man has no contraindications to taking it. The main contraindications include decompensated diseases of the cardiovascular system, for example, arterial hypertension, arrhythmia, angina pectoris, a heart attack or stroke in the last six months. In addition, many cardiologists do not recommend taking Viagra to men with compensated heart defects due to the fact that it is not known exactly how a particular body will react to a fairly strong drug like Sildenafil citrate.

A fairly common side effect of Viagra is an increase in heart rate, so men with tachycardia should also avoid this medication. In some cases, if there are certain restrictions on the use of Viagra, it can be used, but in order to be sure that your body will not be harmed, you should consult a doctor. It doesn't have to be an urologist, you can even ask your cardiologist or therapist how, in his opinion, taking Viagra will affect the course of the underlying disease.

Subject to the recommended dosage and the rules for taking the medicine, there shouldn't be any serious consequences for the body, but there are some nuances. In particular, it is not recommended to take Viagra after the day during which the man experienced heavy physical exertion, for example, took part in sports competitions. The cardiovascular system is already under severe stress and doesn't need additional shake-up.

A complete list of contraindications can be found in the instructions for branded Viagra or any of its generics. In addition to men with cardiovascular disease, Viagra should be avoided by men with hereditary pigment retinitis and certain other retinal diseases, as well as those who suffer from gastritis or a gastric or duodenal ulcer in the acute stage. Viagra should be taken with caution in case of Peyronie's disease, lactase deficiency and some other conditions.

How Much Does Viagra Cost?

The cost of Viagra is the moment that puts many men under pressure when they are faced with the need to take this medication. Viagra belongs to the drugs of the upper price segment. Viagra pill price with a dosage of 100 mg can exceed $80, the cost of a pill with a minimum dosage of 25 mg starts at $55. Because of the high cost, few people can afford to carry out a full-fledged treatment using a branded medicine. The trend of recent years, when more and more men choose cheap Viagra generics, relates to this situation. Generics are analogues produced not by Pfizer, the manufacturer of the branded drug, but by other pharmaceutical corporations that use a ready-made dosage formula and offer their Viagra analogues with the same active ingredient and in similar dosages at significantly more affordable prices. Even the most expensive generics are at least 2 times cheaper than the original medicine. And if you make some effort, you can find generics at a price of less than a percent of their prototype's cost.

Viagra and Alcohol

There are many myths about the interaction of Viagra and alcohol, in particular, that after taking alcohol, the effect of Viagra is enhanced. These myths must be dispelled. Rather, the effect of the drug on the male sexual sphere will be weaker due to the fact that alcohol generally slows down the processes of excitation. Moreover, taking alcohol along with Viagra is strongly discouraged for safety reasons. This is fraught with excessive stress on the heart and can lead to serious consequences: from tachycardia and arrhythmia to loss of consciousness and even stroke. There are cases in history when men died from sudden cardiac death after taking Viagra. This happened precisely when they combined large amounts of alcohol with this drug, and often with drugs as well. A small glass of beer or one glass of wine is the maximum that you can drink while taking Viagra. Otherwise, instead of sexual pleasures, you will get a terrible state of health and a detrimental effect on your body.

Can You Buy Viagra over the Counter

The issue of buying Viagra without a prescription worries not only those men who want to try this medicine for the first time and don't know what effect it will have on them, and do not dare to see a doctor, but also those who already had a prescription at one time, but who is unable or unwilling to receive an updated prescription. As long as you carefully read the instructions for use, there is nothing wrong with buying medicine over the counter. However, in the United States, in ordinary pharmacies, this is unlikely to be possible. You will have to contact online pharmacies, mainly international and national foreign ones, primarily Indian ones, as well as Canadian ones. These countries have the most loyal pharmaceutical legislation and do not require a prescription scan. It is unlikely that this will happen with British pharmacies, where not only are they asked to send a scan, but they also check the date of issue. Buying Viagra without a prescription, you don't violate US laws. All responsibility lies with the seller, not the buyer.