Sildenafil citrate or Viagra has been proven effective as an oral treatment for patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). The drug was reported to improve the quality of life of the patients and their sexual partners (1).
However, some are still hesitant about taking it, not knowing what happens when you take Viagra for the first time.
How is it taken? What’s the right dose? How does it work?
Albeit the established efficacy of the drug, you might still have a lot of questions about it. Of course, the best way to address this concern is to be informed.
What Exactly Is ED?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) or the inability to have an erection or keep an erection during sexual intercourse is a common condition that has become a significant concern for a lot of men.
Several risk factors, such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, obesity, and hypogonadism contribute to the prevalence of ED (2).
How Is Viagra Taken?
You might be curious as to how the drug is administered. Sildenafil or Viagra usually comes in tablet form.
Viagra for ED is commonly taken orally, while other forms such as intravenous Sildenafil are administered for other medical purposes.
What Is the Proper Dosage?
One important thing you should know before taking your first Viagra is the dosage information. Like any other drug, you may experience adverse effects if you do not follow the recommended dosage.
The recommended starting dose of Viagra for men with erectile dysfunction is at 50 mg taken once daily. After a certain period of use, patients would shift to a dose of 100 mg for improved efficacy.
However, a study shows that initially taking 100 mg significantly improved the sexual experience and treatment satisfaction of the participants.
Taking the 100 mg dose also reduced their feelings of anxiety as compared to those who received 50 mg as their first dose. It is advised that you consult your doctor to find out which is best for you (3).
How Does Viagra Work?
The primary function of Viagra is to inhibit the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 and allow your muscles to relax.
Specifically, whenever the penis’ smooth muscles are relaxed (a process called vasodilation), it becomes easier for blood to flow into the region—and this, when maintained, in turn, leads to an erection (4).
How Long Does It Take for Viagra to Work?
The body can absorb Viagra rapidly. It has been reported to take effect within 30 minutes to an hour from the administration. The effect usually lasts for 3 to 5 hours (5). There are even some who report feeling the effects after about 12 minutes from the administration.
What Happens When You Take Viagra for the First Time?
As we’ve mentioned, the job of Viagra is to promote muscle relaxation, with the goal of increasing blood flow to the penis. Upon taking the drug and having exposure to sexual stimuli, it would still take you a couple of minutes to achieve an erection.
In one study, it was reported that dosages of 5 and 10 mg of Sildenafil allowed participants to have full erection capable of penetration within 12 to 13 minutes. It is also consistent with the claim that these erections could last for 4 hours (6).
Does Taking Viagra Have Side Effects?
Studies show that the most common adverse reactions to Viagra are flushing, headache, nasal congestion, and heartburn. However, all of these symptoms were experienced for a short time and were not that severe.
The severity and occurrence of these side effects were associated with a higher dosage of the drug. As these side effects are well tolerated and mild, Viagra continues to be a widely accepted treatment for ED (7).
Note that these do not include possible effects and interactions to other drugs that you are taking. If you’re undergoing medication for other conditions, it is best to consult your doctor about taking Viagra.
Are There Any Psychological Effects?
There’s an ongoing buzz about the possible psychological effects of taking Viagra. Some men are scared of taking it because they think that it can cause psychophysical or behavioral problems.
However, there has been no direct link associated with the use of Viagra and psychophysical issues.
In one study, it was shown that there was no significant impairment of psychophysical performance among patients taking Viagra. There was no improvement in psychophysical performance, as well (8).
Nevertheless, Viagra must still be used with caution among patients who are already undergoing medication for some psychological or behavioral problems.
Can I Take Viagra Even If I Have Heart Problems?
ED is prevalent in patients who have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease or myocardial infarction mostly because they fear that exertion during sexual activity can trigger a heart attack or other similar issues.
They are likewise concerned about using Viagra as it may also trigger their condition.
This should not be the leading cause for concern. There’s no direct link to the use of Viagra and the occurrence of heart symptoms.
The risk lies in the possible adverse interaction between heart disease medication and Sildenafil. Be sure to consult your doctor for any contraindications before proceeding to take Viagra (9).
Is Viagra Safe for Long-Term Use?
Before you even try taking the pill, you might already have some concerns over its long term use.
Will it only work once? Can you use it regularly? The answer is yes.
In a four-year study, there has been no significant change in the efficacy of Sildenafil, and there were high rates of treatment satisfaction for patients and their partners as well (10).
What’s in Store for First-Time Takers of Viagra? Other Questions?
ED is a common cause of relationship problems and personal misery. As you can imagine, it significantly reduces the quality of relationships and overall quality of life of a lot of men and their partners.
This is why healthcare providers do put a premium on ensuring the availability and accessibility of treatments like Viagra. With proper education and a professionally guided use of the drug, it proves to be a safe and effective solution to ED.
What happens when you take Viagra for the first time? Although we’ve answered that and many other questions, it’s possible that you still have a few in mind. Don’t hesitate to tell us about them by posting in the comments section.
Originally posted 2022-03-09 00:08:23.