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A: Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is the medical term for impotence, which is the inability to get and/or keep an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity.
A: About 30 million men in the United States suffer from some degree of erectile dysfunction (that's one in 10 men worldwide) including about half of all men aged 40 to 65 years. After 65, the rate of ED jumps to 65%. Regardless of age, half of all men with diabetes have erectile dysfunction. Smokers have a higher likelihood than non smokers of experiencing ED.
A: Studies have shown that most erectile dysfunction is caused by health problems. These problems include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. ED can also be linked to smoking, drinking too much, or stress. Viagra can help treat ED caused by these problems.
A: Even if it happens once in a while, it's still erectile dysfunction and it's still treatable with Viagra. Most men with ED have it just some of the time. Viagra is the #1 prescribed medicine for erectile dysfunction, whether it is occasional or more frequent.
A: ViagraŽ (sildenafil citrate) was the first treatment for erectile dysfunction in pill form to enter the market. It is a convenient, discreet pill you take only when you want to have sex. Viagra can help many men who have erectile dysfunction get and keep an erection when they become sexually stimulated, either physically or visually. So with Viagra, a touch or just a certain look from your partner can lead to a satisfying physical experience for both of you.
A: Viagra enables many men with erectile dysfunction to respond to sexual stimulation. When a man without ED is sexually aroused, the arteries in the penis relax and widen, allowing more blood to flow into the penis. As the arteries in the penis expand and harden, the veins that normally carry blood away from the penis become compressed, restricting the blood flow out of the penis. With more blood flowing in and less flowing out, the penis enlarges, resulting in an erection.
However, if the nerves or blood vessels associated with this process aren't working properly, a man may not be able to get and keep an erection. Viagra increases blood flow to the penis, so that when a man is sexually aroused, he can become erect. When the sexual encounter is over, the erection goes away.
A: Viagra improves erections in up to 4 of 5 men compared with 1 out of 4 who took sugar pills. It has been proven effective in many clinical trials and over years over real life use.
A: Viagra is ready to work in your body in as little as 30 minutes and stays ready to work for up to 4 hours.
A: No. With Viagra, you must be sexually aroused to get an erection. If you take Viagra and are not sexually stimulated, nothing will happen - you won't get an erection just by taking the pill. Viagra is not a hormone. It is not an aphrodisiac. It's a prescription medication that can improve the erectile function of most men with erectile dysfunction, whether mild or severe.
A: Viagra comes in different doses (25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg). Like many medications, your initial dose of Viagra may have to be adjusted by your healthcare provider if it doesn't produce the desired results or you're bothered by side effects. Do not take more Viagra than your healthcare provider prescribes. Viagra can be used up to once a day as needed. If you are older than 65 years, have a serious liver or kidney problem, or are taking protease inhibitors, such as for the treatment of HIV, your healthcare provider may start you at the lowest (25 mg) dose of Viagra.
A: For most patients, Viagra should be taken once a day as needed. In patients taking certain protease inhibitors (such as for the treatment of HIV), it is recommended to not exceed a maximum single dose of 25 mg of Viagra in a 48-hour period.
A: Viagra pills are not designed to be cut in half, so there is no way to know if half a pill is effective. Cutting pills in half is not recommended.
A: Viagra is only for patients with erectile dysfunction. Viagra is not for newborns, children, or women. Do not let anyone else take your Viagra. It must be used only under a healthcare provider's supervision. Before you start any treatment with Viagra, be sure to ask your healthcare provider if your heart is healthy enough. If you're a man who uses nitrate drugs, like nitroglycerin, never take Viagra. The combination of Viagra and nitrates can make your blood pressure suddenly drop to unsafe levels. You could get dizzy, faint, or even have a heart attack or stroke. Nitrates are found in many prescription medications that are used to treat angina (chest pain due to heart disease) such as:
Nitrates are also found in recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"). If you are not sure if any of your medications contain nitrates, or if you do not understand what nitrates are, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
A: While Viagra is effective in up to 4 of 5 men, it's not effective for everyone. If it doesn't work for you, contact your healthcare provider to discuss other treatment options such as Cialis or Levitra
A: Drinking alcohol can temporarily impair your ability to get an erection. To get the maximum benefit from your medication, you are advised not to drink large amounts of alcohol before taking Viagra.
A: Yes, but taking Viagra after a high-fat meal (such as a cheeseburger and french fries) may cause the medication to take a little longer to start working.
A: Like all medications, Viagra can cause some side effects. These are usually mild and don't last longer than a few hours. Some of these side effects are more likely to occur with higher doses of Viagra. With Viagra, the most common side effects are headache, facial flushing, and upset stomach. Viagra may also briefly cause bluish or blurred vision or sensitivity to light. In the rare event of an erection lasting more than 4 hours, seek immediate medical help.
A: Viagra works by helping you get an erection in response to sexual stimulation. Once a man takes Viagra and has sex, his erection will go away after intercourse, just like it would normally. Viagra takes about 30 minutes before it's ready to work, and remains ready to work for about 4 hours after that. Take your time and go at your own pace. In the rare event of an erection lasting more than 4 hours, see your doctor.
A: For most men, Viagra works the first or second time they try it. Viagra may work better the third or fourth time you take it, so it's important to keep trying. Also, you should follow your doctor's instructions closely when taking Viagra.
A: Because sexual activity can be demanding on the heart, doctors sometimes determine that for men with certain heart conditions, sex is not recommended, with or without medication for ED. Patients who are in poor cardiovascular health should talk to their doctor before engaging in any strenuous activity. If you are not sure of your cardiovascular health, talk to your doctor.
