Viagra is the best-known and most popular erectile dysfunction treatment that helped millions of men worldwide to have a satisfactory intercourse. The famous “little blue pill”, patented and manufactured by pharmaceutical company Pfizer back in 1998 revolutionized the way we think about ED treatment, replacing older, less effective and uncomfortable treatment methods with a simple and effective pill that anyone can use with doctor’s prescription.

The discovery and industrial production of Viagra are hailed by many as a pioneering breakthrough in the field of impotence treatment that introduced a completely new approach which still dominates the market today.

In doing that, Pfizer created not only the best-sold impotence pill to date but also a true icon of the popular culture of the 21st century. Viagra has not only changed everything for men affected by erectile dysfunction, giving them an opportunity to enjoy a normal sex life but has also captivated the popular imagination, appearing in countless movies and TV shows, becoming a kind of common knowledge for the ordinary man.

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What is Viagra?

Viagra is the best-known and most popular erectile dysfunction treatment that helped millions of men worldwide to have a satisfactory intercourse. The famous “little blue pill”, patented and manufactured by pharmaceutical company Pfizer back in 1998 revolutionized the way we think about ED treatment, replacing older, less effective and uncomfortable treatment methods with a simple and effective pill that anyone can use with doctor’s prescription.

The discovery and industrial production of Viagra are hailed by many as a pioneering breakthrough in the field of impotence treatment that introduced a completely new approach which still dominates the market today.

In doing that, Pfizer created not only the best-sold impotence pill to date but also a true icon of the popular culture of the 21st century. Viagra has not only changed everything for men affected by erectile dysfunction, giving them an opportunity to enjoy a normal sex life but has also captivated the popular imagination, appearing in countless movies and TV shows, becoming a kind of common knowledge for the ordinary man.

How does Viagra work?

For a majority of cases, impotence is caused by stiffness of the blood vessels, which in turn makes blood flow in the penis insufficient to cause and maintain an erection. Viagra addresses this problem by relying on its active ingredient – sildenafil.

Sildenafil acts through a complex series of chemical reactions in order to relax smooth muscle tissue and allow for unimpeded blood flow within the penis. It belongs to a class of pharmaceutical substances known as PDE 5 inhibitors since their primary mechanism of action is the inhibition of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE 5) enzyme. This enzyme is naturally present in the human body and it plays a crucial role in driving the blood away from the penis after ejaculation in order to end the erection and prevent potential injury to the penis.

Sildenafil mechanism of action

Most men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction have heightened levels of PDE 5 enzymes in their organism which leads to blood withdrawing prematurely, thus ending the erection before ejaculation and preventing a satisfying intercourse.

The action of PDE 5 enzymes is in turn based on the degrading effect they have on another important compound involved in the biophysical processes causing an erection, namely cyclic guanosine monophosphate (or cGMP for short). What Viagra does is simply preventing PDE 5 enzymes from degrading cGMP molecules, thus contributing to a strong and long-lasting erection.

Despite this reliable and highly effective mechanism of action, Viagra isn’t a kind of “magic pill” that will cause erection in itself. Of course, sexual arousal is still required – the medicine will simply help the processes involved in gaining and maintaining an erection function normally, without premature interference by the excess PDE 5 enzymes.

How long does it work for?

The exact onset time and duration of Viagra can vary significantly, but some rough estimates can be given. Usually, the effects of Viagra become noticeable within 30 minutes after the consumption, but doctors recommend that the medicine should be taken roughly an hour before the sexual intercourse in order to ensure that active ingredient reaches its maximum impact.

After this medium to short onset, Viagra will remain effective for up to 5 hours. The relatively fast onset and medium duration of effects make this medicine rather practical to use in everyday life, although some planning ahead (or at least expecting) is required.

How to use Viagra?

Viagra comes in instantly recognizable blue tablets (hence the nickname “little blue pill”) which are available in different doses, including 25, 50 and 100mg respectively. Depending on the exact nature of your condition, the doctor will recommend you the appropriate dose. If it’s your first time using erectile dysfunction tablets, it is recommended to start with the lowest dose and consult with your doctor if you think larger one is required.

The pill is swallowed whole with water or food, although the studies have confirmed that onset will be significantly lower if the medicine is taken with food, or just prior to/after eating a big meal.

Only one dose per day is recommended, although daily consumption can significantly increase the risk of unwanted side effects. So, if you expect you’ll need to use impotence pill every day, Cialis Once Daily would be the best option.

Viagra 100mg

The highest dose available on the market is 100mg per tablet. Usually, this dose is never prescribed to patients who have no prior experience with Viagra, even for those who have used other impotence pills in the past. So, again, it’s always best to start with the lowest dose and slowly increase it until you are satisfied with the effect.

Always consult your doctor prior to taking a larger dose! If you notice 50mg tablets don’t work well enough, never simply take two of them. Instead, first consult your doctor about whether Viagra is the right choice for you and then obtain a prescription.

What are the side effects?

Different men will react differently to impotence pills. For most, no side effects will manifest, but in some cases, certain unwanted effects will manifest. The most common of them include:

  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Redness of the face and hot flushes
  • Dizziness
  • Visual disturbances
  • Stuffy nose

Due to discomforting nature of some of these effects, it is recommended not to drive when using Viagra, at least for the first week or two, so you can ensure that there are no side effects that might have dangerous consequences.

It is also important to mention that very rare Viagra side effects can be rather dangerous as they include blood clots and severe heart problems, which is one reason more to never take Viagra without prior consultations with a medical expert who will let you know whether this treatment is suitable for you. If some risk factors are identified, you would get prescription for some of other PDE 5 inhibitors like Cialis or Levitra.

Who is not suitable for the treatment?

There are several cases when Viagra treatment should be avoided. The specific risk factors can be determined only by a doctor after careful examination and research in your medical history and current conditions. On the other hand, general risk factors include:

  • Heart or liver problems
  • Low blood pressure
  • History of heart problems or haemorrhage
  • Eye and vision conditions and illnesses
  • Using beta-blockers or medicines containing nitrates

While drug interactions aren’t as common as with some other medicines, it is still important to mention any other medicines you might be using in order to prevent possible side effects or harmful interactions.

When can Viagra be an option?

Erectile dysfunction affects a lot of men in many different forms. This problem has a profound impact not only on the sex life and relationships but also on self-esteem and overall quality of life. However, before choosing your treatment it’s important to determine the root cause of your condition.

For some, especially young men, difficulties in gaining an erection are due to mental pressure or performance anxiety. This condition is called psychological impotence and cannot be treated with impotence pills – except as a kind of placebo. Always be sure to exclude this option. The easiest and fastest way to check is the following – if you have no trouble gaining an erection when alone, but the problem occurs once you’re with a partner, then you’re most likely to suffer from psychological impotence and a good therapist will help you much more than any impotence pill could.

Viagra and other impotence pills treat the functional, biophysical causes of ED, by “opening the lock” that prevents the blood from flowing to the penis. Psychological issues cannot be treated in this way.

Benefits of using Viagra

Viagra is the impotence pill that has been on the market for 20 long years, much longer than any of the other medicines of the same type. This fact alone is a testament to its effectiveness and reliability which are still unchanged even after two decades. Many agree that the discovery and manufacturing of Viagra in 1998 was a true revolution in ED treatment, significantly improving the odds of having a normal sex life.

The flexibility of Viagra also makes it very practical for an ordinary man. With effects lasting up to 5 hours, you don’t have to plan too far ahead and interrupt the nice atmosphere.

Is it safe to buy Viagra online?

Due to the immense popularity of Viagra, fakes are unfortunately rather common. So, if you’re talking about those countless ads all over the place, it’s probably not the safest option. On the other hand, there are multiple certified online clinics where purchasing is as safe as in a regular pharmacy.

If you decide to buy Viagra online, you simply need to fill in a specialized questionnaire on the online clinic which a certified medical professional will then use to determine what the right treatment for you is. It is extremely important to provide all the health information required in order to ensure that doctor can make the correct assessment.