How To Use Viagra For Best Results

How it works

Viagra is used to aid in the maintenance of a good, firm erection, and it accomplishes this by compounding already-present feelings of arousal in men. It is important to note that, while certainly containing properties which can help to aid performance, sildenafil is not designed to create something from absolutely nothing…meaning it requires your active participation, and an amount of good old fashioned desire. This sets off the chemical reaction that is involved in helping you to get the result you want, a long lasting erection.

Once aroused, your body triggers the release of nitric oxide, a molecule that sets off a chain of events that can help to achieve and maintain an erection. Erectile dysfunction occurs when an enzyme (protein) known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) gets in the way, breaking down the chemical communication needed to make the erection occur.

Viagra works by removing the pesky barriers PDE5 looks to impose on your sex life, allowing you to achieve the erection required to accomplish the task at hand. The muscles of the penis are now able to relax, which allows more blood flow to enter. 

In summation, more relaxation plus more blood flow equals an erection.

*Please note that sildenafil dose not increase the size of your penis, nor will it help you to last longer. Viagra is a PDE5 inhibitor and aims to help you get an erection… and keep it.

7 Tips on how to use Viagra for best results

1. Take a Viagra pill one hour before sexual intercourse.

It’s going to take around an hour to kick in, and for the required levels to peak. Take it too early, or too late, and you’re limiting the effectiveness of the pill. 

2. Avoid heavy meals

A large meal inhibits sildenafil from entering the bloodstream. Ideally, you want to take the pill on an empty stomach.

3. Limit your alcohol intake

Given the social circumstances that can sometimes set the stage for intimacy, this isn’t always easy. However, it is worth noting that not only will alcohol limit the effects of the pill, but it can also actually exacerbate potential side effects like flushing and headaches.

4. Relax

Seriously! Overthinking and any resulting performance anxiety or pressure you put on yourself can counteract the effectiveness of an ED drug like sildenafil. Try not to put pressure on yourself and allow sildenafil to exert its effect.

5. If at first you don’t succeed, try again! 

*Another seven times.

UK national guidelines stipulate that you should attempt to take an ED drug like Viagra eight times before deciding to move on to other treatments. If you have not been successful after 8 attempts, do not despair. There are alternatives to Viagra, such as tadalafil, another popular choice which has the ability to work for up to 36 hours!

6. Stop smoking

Your overall health plays a significant role in your ability to achieve an erection. Smoking has been linked to an increase in the likelihood of erectile dysfunction, with nicotine acting as a vasoconstrictor. (When it comes to your quest to achieve a meaningful, long-lasting relationship with your erection, vasoconstrictors are right up there with PDE5 on the ‘things to avoid’ list.’). Smoking also contributes to coronary heart disease, a major contributor to ED. Men who smoke are twice as likely to develop erectile dysfunction compared to non-smokers.

7. Look after yourself!

A National Library of Medicine study has determined that obesity and ED share an internal pathological environment. The research indicates a possible correlation between lowering weight levels and an increase in the ability to maintain erectile function. Regular physical exercise increases the blood flow around your body, which is a very important attribute to have when pursuing an erection!

*Please remember, looking after yourself goes beyond physical conditioning – be sure to check in your mental and emotional well-being, as the proverbial three pillars of health each play a role in determining the extent to which you’re able to rise to the occasion.

What else can affect Viagra results?

Other medication

Did you know that more than one-quarter of all ED cases are thought to be caused by prescription medication? 

According to a report published by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), eight of the 12 most commonly prescribed medications in the US, list erectile dysfunction as a possible side effect.

Some blood pressure medications can have negative interactions with Viagra, as sudden drops in blood pressure can cause headaches or lead to a decrease in sex drive. As troublesome as that can be, a May 2021 article indicates that some blood pressure medications can actually cause erectile dysfunction. 

If you’re currently taking medication, it is always worth checking the possible side effects or consulting your health care professional to understand the implications that your medication can have on your sex life.
 

The dosage

The standard recommended starting dose of sildenafil for treating ED is 50mg. Your doctor or pharmacist could prescribe anywhere from 25mg to 100mg, depending on your response to the initial recommended dosage. After trying – and remember, this could mean eight attempts – you can let your doctor know how your body responded. Depending on the outcome, you may see your dosage reduced or increased. 

Regardless, only take Viagra as needed for sexual activity, and be careful not to exceed the recommended daily dosage, as this could be dangerous to your health.

How long should it last?

Four hours. That’s the window of time you can expect to feel the effects of Viagra, to varying degrees. This does not mean that you will have an erection for four hours; instead, the effect of Viagra is able to help you achieve and maintain an erection within this four hour period.

In fact, despite what you may think, exceedingly long-lasting erections are not only inconvenient…they could be downright damaging! Erections lasting longer than four hours are classified as priapism, and this painful condition could lead to penile tissue damage and permanent loss of potency if left untreated. Sexual stimulation is meant to trigger an erection that lasts long enough to perform sexual intercourse, and the human body (despite what you may have heard) is not supposed to sustain an erection lasting 4 hours.

Be sure to keep your doctor or pharmacist informed of any noticed abnormalities associated with your consumption of Viagra. 

Informed choices, impressive results

Now that you’re armed with the relevant information, you can make an informed decision as to whether or not the little blue pill is for you. You should always consult with your doctor or pharmacist beforehand, who can help you to decide. Remember to consider your lifestyle and health status, and take it easy on yourself if you’re needing to join what the Journal of Clinical Urology estimates to be over 150 million men worldwide, experiencing some form of erectile dysfunction. 

As noted in the aforementioned report, this number is set to double by 2025 – ensuring you’re not alone in your quest to find a safe, effective solution to a problem that affects many men. 

Key takeaways

• Sildenafil, also known by the brand name Viagra, is a prescription ED medication designed to treat erectile dysfunction by inhibiting the release of enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5
• Take the recommended dosage of Viagra (25mg, 50mg or 100mg) one hour prior to sexual activity.
• The effects of Viagra should last four hours
• Viagra can have negative interactions with prescription medications, so it is important to consult with a medical professional prior to use
• Viagra, while contributing to the onset and maintenance of an erection, it is not a penis enlargement pill (worth noting one last time), nor does it help with premature ejaculation.
• Viagra is available as a non-branded tablet which is more cost-effective. It contains the same active ingredient, sildenafil citrate, and is commonly referred to as, generic Viagra. There is medically no difference between sildenafil and Viagra.

It is important to understand the chemical processes that make ED medications like Viagra work, and note that while it has been proven a safe and successful treatment for many men, you should always seek advice from a medical professional before trying treatment. In the event that you experience chest pain or other negative symptoms, stop usage immediately and seek medical attention.

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.