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Viagra is one of the most popular erectile dysfunction (ED) medications on the market. And many of its users swear by it. In one study, 74% of men reported that the drug was able to help them maintain erections. And most doctors will have no problem prescribing Viagra to patients.
There are over 1 million Sildenafil users in the United States alone as of 2020. And between 1998 and 2002, there was a 312% surge in Viagra users among men aged 18 to 45.
But that’s not to say that the drug doesn’t have serious side effects.
Today, you’re going to find out what Viagra is, what its side effects are, and how to know if you should be using it yourself. Here’s everything you’ll need to know about Viagra and how to get rid of its side effects.
What Is Viagra?
Sildenafil Citrate—more popularly known by its brand name, Viagra—is an oral medication that’s used to temporarily treat the effects of erectile dysfunction.
It increases the blood flow to the penis which gives it enough blood pressure to get erect.
Viagra is supposed to be consumed an hour before having sex for it to take effect. Some report taking Viagra 30 minutes before sex without any issues. However, its effect can last up to four to five hours. Meaning you don’t need to have sex exactly one hour after taking Viagra.
Taking Viagra with an empty stomach means the body will be able to absorb it faster and more efficiently.
You still need to be aroused for Viagra to take effect. Meaning you won’t get erect if there’s no sexual stimulation. A prolonged erection is possible. Once the penis is hard, it can stay that way for up to four hours.
What Are Viagra’s Side Effects?
Viagra has some potential side effects that you want to keep in mind before use. That’s why you should first consult an ED specialist to see if using Viagra is right for your unique situation. For instance, Viagra may cause interactions with other drugs you’re taking, such as blood pressure medications.
Mild Side Effects of Viagra
Here are some milder side effects of using Viagra:
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Indigestion
- Blurry vision
- Back pain
- Stuffy nose
- Flushing
- Dizziness
- Rash
- Nausea
These side effects can last hours, days, or weeks. It depends on the person.
If these side effects don’t go away or start causing other complications, then seek immediate medication attention.
Serious Side Effects of Viagra
These are some of the more serious side effects of taking Viagra:
- Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) or sudden decrease or loss of vision in one or both eyes
- Sudden hearing loss
- Chest pain
- Allergic reaction like itching or skin rash
- Priapism which is long-lasting, painful erection
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Low blood pressure
These serious side effects impact a minority of men. However, if you feel any of these side effects, don’t hesitate to seek immediate medical attention.
How to Get Rid of Viagra’s Side Effects
The good news is that most of Viagra’s mild side effects will go away on their own after a couple of hours — sometimes faster.
But if these side effects continue to bother you every time you use Viagra, there are changes you could implement to fix that.
Patients taking Viagra should ask their doctors if it’s possible to lower the dosage. These blue pills are available in three strengths:
- 25 mg
- 50 mg
- 100 mg
Users that end up using higher dosages are at greater risk of experiencing Viagra’s side effects. If your doctor says you take 100 mg, let him or her know that it’s causing you discomfort. The doctor will either lower the dosage or recommend other erectile dysfunction medication.
If you have other medical conditions that you’re taking prescription drugs for, let your doctor know. Taking ED prescription medication alongside other drugs can be what’s causing the side effects.
You should also avoid taking Viagra with alcohol or marijuana (or other recreational drugs) since that can cause you to get dizzy.
Also, keep an eye on your blood pressure. It’s possible to lower blood pressure through drug interactions. This includes Viagra. Low blood pressure can lead to fainting, heart failure, and stroke. In short, you could be attributing these side effects to Viagra when low or high blood pressure is the real culprit.
If your condition continues to grow worse (you keep getting severe headache or chest pain), then stop using Viagra immediately. This could be a sign that erectile dysfunction drugs are not suited for you.
Viagra Overdose
It’s possible to overdose on Viagra if you take more than the amount and dosage prescribed by your doctor.
It’s important to note that Viagra’s overdose symptoms are the same as its mild side effects — dizziness and headache. In some cases, the user could faint or get a prolonged erection (lasting more than four hours).
If you’ve taken more than what the doctor prescribed and you start feeling some of these symptoms, get to the hospital quickly. You’ll need emergency medical care. A prolonged erection, for example, can lead to permanent erectile dysfunction.
And while 66.2% of men said they use Viagra recreationally, this shouldn’t be the case. Don’t use Viagra unless prescribed by a doctor for ED treatment.
Viagra Alternatives
If Viagra isn’t working for you, know that it’s not the end of your medical treatment options. You can continue engaging in sexual activity. You will likely need to explore alternative treatments to erectile dysfunction that excludes the use of popular prescription medications.
You can successfully treat erectile dysfunction through other methods. For example, you can consider the following treatments to overcome ED:
Additionally, you can consider using penis pumps to get an erection. This is a safe way of getting erect without having to deal with Viagra side effects like blood pressure problems, damaged optic nerve leading to vision loss, pulmonary arterial hypertension, increased risk of back or muscle pain, severe allergic reaction, heart disease, and more.
You can also explore hormone therapy (HGH) or adrenal fatigue treatment with the guidance of a trained specialist. There are plenty of ED solutions outside of undergoing Viagra treatment. You only need to ask your doctor which alternative will fit your current lifestyle and which one would you and your partner prefer.
Combat Sexual Dysfunction with Medical Guidance from Cleveland’s Top Men’s Clinic
You can overcome sexual health conditions with various other methods and men’s sexual health treatmentsrecommended by health practitioners at Cleveland’s Precise Men’s Medical Center. This includes ED therapy, premature ejaculation therapy, RestoreWave therapy, testosterone treatment, and adrenal fatigue treatment.
Don’t miss out on any opportunities you can find to get the proper treatment and achieve a happy and fulfilling sex life. Give our team a call today to schedule your appointment.
