Does Viagra Make You Last Longer in Bed?

How does Viagra make you last longer?

Viagra contains the active ingredient sildenafil citrate, which works by increasing blood flow to the penis. This mechanism of action helps you to keep an erection for longer than you normally would, without medication. Provided you are sexually aroused, you are more likely to have a longer lasting erection, as Viagra is helping to keep blood in the penis for longer.

Important note: For Viagra to work, you must be sexually aroused. It does not work if you have a low sex drive. Also, it does not help you to last longer if you have premature ejaculation and you orgasm too early.

How much longer can you last with Viagra?

An average man can stay erect for a few minutes to roughly half an hour. If you have erectile dysfunction, the timeframe for which you have an erection can be significantly reduced. Viagra can help you to last long enough for you to achieve and maintain an erection strong enough to have sex. It is difficult to put a timeframe on how long sex will last with Viagra, as each man will have a different level of sexual stamina. 

It is best to take Viagra around 60 minutes before sexual activity. The concentration of Viagra in your blood typically peaks at an hour. At this point its effects are strongest.  

Food and alcohol can affect the absorption of Viagra. Eating a high fat meal before taking Viagra can delay its absorption into your bloodstream and can result in it take longer to work. Conversely, Viagra works best on an empty stomach, as there is nothing to prevent its absorption.

Alcohol works in opposition to Viagra as it constricts your blood flow. This makes it more difficult to get and keep an erection. If you take Viagra on an empty stomach and avoid alcohol, you may find that Viagra lasts for longer. Some men find Viagra can last longer than 4 hours and up to 6, or even 8 hours in same cases.

Does Viagra keep you hard after ejaculation? 

After ejaculation, you will still lose your erection even if you are taking Viagra. You will not be able to maintain an erection after orgasm with Viagra, nor does it help if you ejaculate too early. If this is the case, you will need to try a different treatment or alternative techniques to help you to last longer.

Although Viagra cannot keep you hard after coming (ejaculating), it can reduce the refractory period after ejaculation. The refractory period is when a man is no longer able to have an erection after orgasm. Consequently, Viagra can help you to become hard again quicker, after ejaculation.

Does Viagra make you bigger?

Viagra does not make your penis physically bigger than its regular size. If you have erectile dysfunction that makes it difficult for you to get a complete erection, Viagra can help you to achieve a full erection, making it feel larger than normal. There are no tablets available on the market to increase penis size. 

Does Viagra help you last longer if you ejaculate too fast?

Viagra does not help with premature ejaculation. Premature ejaculation is when you reach an orgasm too quickly. It is often caused by performance anxiety, increased sensitivity and heightened stress levels. Viagra increases blood flow to your penis. This allows you to get an erection, but it will not help you to to delay ejaculation, nor will it keep you hard after coming

Does Viagra make you hornier?

No, Viagra does not boost your sex drive or make your hornier. However, Viagra can make it easier for you to get an erection when you are sexually aroused. If you are experiencing low sexual drive, Viagra will not work to help increase sexual desire. In fact, Viagra requires you to be sexually aroused in order for it to help you to get an erection.  

Can Viagra help you to keep going for longer?

Viagra can help you to keep going by reducing what’s known as the refractory period. After reaching orgasm and ejaculating, most men need a span of time to recover and regain their interest in sex. This time period when a man is not sexually responsive and less capable of getting an erection, is known as the refractory period. It can be a few minutes, several hours or an entire day before you can have sex again after orgasming. There is some evidence that Viagra can shorten your refractory period post-orgasm.

However, Viagra does not increase your sexual stamina to keep going during sex, or increase your physical fitness.

Will Viagra help you to ejaculate more?

Viagra will not help you to produce more semen. Low ejaculate volume can be caused by hormone levels, weakened pelvic muscles, prostate issues, diabetes or spinal injuries. 

Other ED treatments to help you last longer

There are other ED treatments to help you last longer if Viagra is not working as well as you want. These Viagra alternatives work in the same way, by improving blood flow to the penis. Some work quicker, some last longer, some are not affected by food and others do not have the same side effects associated with Viagra. You should find out more about these medical alternatives before making your ED treatment decision.

Sildenafil

Sildenafil is the unbranded and cheaper version of Viagra. Both sildenafil and Viagra have the same active ingredient, sildenafil citrate. As sildenafil, also known as generic Viagra, is usually the more cost-effective option, it is now more commonly used than Viagra.

Tadalafil

Tadalafil is a highly effective treatment for ED. It can be taken as a daily pill for a continuous effect (reducing the need for scheduling sexual activity); or, 30 minutes before sexual activity with its effects lasting up to 36 hours. It is also known under its branded name Cialis.

Vardenafil

Vardenafil is recommended for men who have diabetes. It is taken 25 minutes before sexual activity and can last around 4 to 6 hours. It is also known under its branded name Levitra.

Avanafil

Avanafil is fast to take effect and can work in as little as 15 minutes whilst usually lasting around 4 hours. It is also known by its brand name Spedra.

Other techniques to help you last longer in bed

There are other ways to help you last longer in bed if Viagra isn’t working for you.

Alternative medication

Alternative medications to Viagra that help you last longer if you can’t get or maintain an erection include:

Alprostadil

A synthetic hormone available in cream or by injection that widens your blood vessels and improves blood flow to your penis.

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)

A lifelong treatment to restore your testosterone levels to normal that can be administered in several ways including injections, gels, creams, pills, and implants.

These medications are only available by prescription or via a medical professional, such as a doctor or pharmacist.

Priligy for premature ejaculation

If you are orgasming too early, then Priligy can help to delay ejaculation. Priligy treatment for premature ejaculation (PE) works in 80% of men. One tablet is taken 1 to 3 hours before sex and it can triple the time it takes you to reach orgasm and ejaculate. It works by boosting serotonin levels in your body. This causes a delayed reaction to the areas of your brain that cause ejaculation. The active ingredient is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) called dapoxetine.

Natural alternatives

There are natural alternatives to Viagra including Ginseng, Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), horny goat weed and L-arginine. These herbal remedies are available over-the-counter. Small studies suggest that these natural alternatives may help men with ED, but this is not yet proven due to a lack of full testing and scientific research.

Penile implants

Penile implant surgery places inflatable or flexible rods into your penis that are then filled with saline solution to give you an erection. Penile implants are usually only recommended if you have tried other ED treatments without success.

Thick condoms

Extended pleasure condoms are made from a thicker material than traditional condoms. These thick condoms help to desensitize your penis and allow you to last longer during sex. You can still feel pleasure using a thick condom, but it is slower and more sustained. Thick condoms offer some climax control for premature ejaculation or if you want to extend the pleasure of your partner.

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes can help you to last longer in bed by reducing your risk of erectile dysfunction and its effects. Losing weight, quitting smoking, improving your diet, getting quality sleep, exercising, reducing stress and not watching too much porn can all improve ED symptoms and sexual performance.

Sex therapy

Sex therapy can help you get and maintain an erection when sexually aroused. It is particularly helpful if you have ED caused by stress, sexual performance anxiety, relationship issues or you don’t sexually communicate well.

Jelqing

Jelqing uses a penile massage technique to stretch and lengthen your penis, to help get harder erections. However, it is not scientifically proven to have any effects.

Penis rings

Penis rings fit around the base of your penis to help you to keep an erection. They maintain the blood supply and reduce the drainage of blood during an erection. They are often used with ED medications, ED devices or vacuum pumps to help men last longer in bed.

Anaesthetic cream or wipes to reduce sensation

Applying an anaesthetic cream or wipes to your penis reduces its sensitivity. Making your penis less sensitive is a simple and effective way to help you last longer during sex and reduce premature ejaculation.

Acupuncture

Research suggests acupuncture may help to stimulate energy imbalances and relieve physical symptoms such as erectile dysfunction.

Penis pumps

Penis pumps help draw blood into your penis to strengthen your erection. These vacuum pumps are often used alongside ED medication, like Viagra.

Physical training

Physical training can improve your sexual stamina as well as getting your heart pumping blood more efficiently to improve ED.

More specifically, pelvic floor exercises can be very effective in helping you last longer. Exercising your pelvic floor strengthens the muscles responsible for sustaining blood flow to your penis. This improved blood flow to your penis helps you to get and maintain erections. Pelvic floor exercises need to be done a few times each day forever for best results.

So, can Viagra help you last longer?

Viagra will help you to last longer before ejaculation if you have difficulty in achieving and maintaining an erection whilst being sexually aroused. Viagra will not help you to last longer if you ejaculate too fast.

If you find that you regularly can’t get or keep erections hard enough for sexual intercourse, Viagra can help you to achieve harder erections. 

Viagra has a window of action of around 4 hours, and it can help you to get an erection within this time period.

However, there are many alternatives to consider including medical, herbal, and other techniques that can be explored if you are trying to last longer in bed. If you are taking Viagra for the first time and find that it is not working, you should try it on another 8 occasions before considering a different approach. Whilst Viagra has been proven to be a safe and successful treatment for many men, you should always seek advice from a medical professional before trying treatment.

Whilst all of our content is written and reviewed by healthcare professionals, it is not intended to be substituted for or used as medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.