Viagra, which contains sildenafil, is a prescription drug for treating male sexual dysfunctions.
Viagra For Erectile Dysfunction
More specifically, the drug is medically approved for erectile dysfunction treatment. It can be used for males who are at least 18 years old.
Erectile dysfunction, or impotence, refers to the incapacity to have and maintain an erection that is firm enough for sexual activity. While having troubles with erection from time to time is not always concerning, it can lead to stress and other issues if it is ongoing. Problems with having or maintaining an erection could also signify an underlying medical issue.
Generally, symptoms of erectile dysfunction include trouble with getting and maintaining and erection, as well as having reduced levels of sexual desire.
Based on many clinical studies, Viagra was seen to be effective in treating erectile dysfunction. The male participants in the studies who used the drug had a better ability to have and maintain erections. The studies revealed that around 43% to 83% of those who took Viagra had better erections, though this was dependent on erectile dysfunction cause and Viagra dosage. On the other hand, around 10% to 24% of those who took a placebo saw better erections.
The sildenafil-containing drug, when mixed with sexual stimulation, works by helping boost blood flow to the penis. This, in turn, enables an erection.
The drug is typically orally consumed and comes in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg tablets that should only be consumed once a day. Dosages would depend on a person's treatment response, medical condition, and other medications taken.
In most instances, Viagra should be taken roughly an hour before engaging in sexual activities, but it can also be taken around 30 minutes to four hours before these engagements. Viagra would keep working in the body for as long as five hours. However, erections should not last this long.
A meal that is high in fact could also delay the effectiveness of the drug.
In rare cases, Viagra may lead to priapism, which involves erections that are painful and long-lasting. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention, as it may lead to tissue damage in the penis and result in erectile dysfunction that cannot be reversed.
ALSO READ: Viagra Use Linked to Lower Risk of Men Dying From Cardiovascular Disease, Study Claims
Can Females Use Viagra?
Given its specialized design, Viagra is only approved to work among males and not for women. There is also insufficient evidence to show that the drug could aid female sexual problems. Moreover, in most cases, sexual problems women face are linked with reduced arousal or sexual desire, which Viagra is unlikely to address.
There is another drug known as Addyi that is approved for female usage. In fact, Addyi is referred to by some as "female Viagra." Addyi is approved for treading HDSS, which stands for hypoactive sexual desire disorder and involves extremely low sexual desire. Women who have not experienced menopause can be prescribed with the drug.
Unlike Viagra, Addyi does not boost blood flow towards the female genitalia. Rather than this, Addyi targets specific neurotransmitters, including serotonin, noradrenaline, and dopamine, that play a role in arousal and sexual desire.
While Addyi has been seen to boost sexual desire and sexually satisfying activity numbers among some women, the drug has not been seen to harbor great effectiveness. It may also take eight weeks for Addyi to start treating HDSS.
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