Viagra Not Working? Here's What To Do If Viagra Doesn't Work For You

How do erections work?

An erection involves several different factors, so it is important to understand the process. This can help to give you an understanding of why Viagra doesn’t always work.  

When you are sexually aroused, blood vessels in the penis relax and widen, allowing for an influx of blood. Certain factors, such as your state of mind, physical health, or other external factors can reduce blood flow to the penis. Viagra is a drug which helps to increase blood flow to the penis, allowing you to achieve and maintain an erection. But there are some instances where Viagra doesn’t work. Let’s take a look.
 

Why doesn’t Viagra work?

Viagra has a high success rate of around 70%, allowing most men who use it, to enjoy a fulfilling sex life. However, it is not guaranteed to always work. Around 30% of men who use Viagra or other ED treatments don’t experience the full benefits. There are physical and psychological causes of ED that can influence whether Viagra works or not. It is also important to ensure that you take Viagra in the correct way. The good news is that most of the reasons why Viagra is not working, can be easily resolved by making small changes. Let’s look at why Viagra may not be working for you.

1. You’re not taking Viagra correctly

Timing is key when it comes to achieving optimum results. The best time to take Viagra is one hour before sexual activity. If you take it sooner, the amount of sildenafil circulating in your bloodstream may not be enough to make an impact. On the other hand, taking Viagra more than two hours before sex may reduce its effectiveness. Although Viagra lasts for four hours, the levels of drug in the bloodstream start to drop after one to two hours.

It is best to swallow Viagra with water. Avoid grapefruit as it can increase your chance of experiencing side effects.

2. Alcohol may be reducing the effectiveness of Viagra

Alcohol and Viagra work in opposing ways. Viagra works by increasing blood flow to the penis, to help achieve an erection. Alcohol reduces blood flow, making it difficult to get an erection. Alcohol also reduces nerve sensitivity and can inhibit certain pathways that are needed for an erection. Avoid alcohol completely or stick to one to two units if necessary. Any more than this can impact your ability to get an erection… and keep it!

3. You’re giving up too early

It’s quite possible that Viagra won’t work the first time you take it. There will always be nerves when trying anything new. But worrying about whether Viagra will work or not, can hinder its effectiveness. It is recommended that you take Viagra on eight separate occasions before deciding if it is working or not. This gives your body time to adjust and come to terms with the idea of taking a tablet before sexual arousal to support an erection.

4. Your dose is too low

Viagra is available in doses of 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg. Your doctor may start you on the lower dose if you are taking certain medication, or you have a medical condition. But you may need a dose increase.

Important note: Do not take 2 Viagra tablets at once, or more than your prescribed dose. Seek the advice of a doctor or pharmacist before increasing the dose of Viagra.

5. You have underlying health issues

Physical health conditions can cause ED. These include:

• Conditions that can lead to low testosterone levels such as an overactive or underactive thyroid
• Diseases that affect your heart and blood flow for example diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure
• Nervous system disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Penis-related problems such as Peyronie’s disease

6. You’re eating too much

Heavy meals can reduce the absorption of Viagra into the bloodstream, reducing its effectiveness. You should aim to eat a light meal, preferably a few hours before taking Viagra, to maximise its effectiveness. Avoid foods high in fat or carbohydrate as they can slow down the rate of absorption of Viagra into your bloodstream.

7. Your ED is psychological

Your mental state can often impact your sex life. Low self-esteem, work stress, bereavement and performance anxiety can affect confidence in the bedroom. Certain conditions such as depression can also cause ED, and sometimes, medication used to treat these conditions can also play a part. It is important to get the right type of help, such as sex therapy or counselling. Part of your therapy may even include taking Viagra, as the act of taking a pill can serve as a confidence booster.  

If Viagra is not working, try the following:

When Viagra doesn’t work, you may feel frustrated. But don’t give up on it yet. There are a few things you can try to get the best results from Viagra.

1. Give it a chance

You may be disappointed that Viagra hasn’t worked the first time but try to remain patient. Give yourself time to become more comfortable and mentally adjust to the idea of taking a pill before sex. It’s actually very common and you’re not alone. Whilst ED is not a common topic of discussion amongst peers, there’s a good chance that many people you know are also facing the same issue.

2. Relax

Easy to say, but Viagra will only work when you are sexually aroused. Anxiety, stress, and nerves can all interfere with your response to Viagra. Foreplay, breathing techniques, and mental imagery can help you to relax and get into the right frame of mind. This will maximise the chances of a successful outcome.

3. Take Viagra on an empty stomach

Viagra is best taken on an empty stomach one hour before sex. Eating food directly before taking Viagra will delay its absorption. This can delay the onset of action and reduce the effectiveness of the drug. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water, and if you have consumed a heavy meal, wait a couple of hours.

4. Take it at the right time

You should take Viagra one hour before sexual activity for optimal results. Taking it too early doesn’t allow enough time for the drug to get into your bloodstream. Taking it too late means that the drug will have already reached its peak levels in the bloodstream.  and may have a reduced effectiveness as levels start to drop.

5. Try alternative ED treatment

There is no “one size fits all” approach to treating ED. We are all different and respond differently to treatment. If you have done everything you can to improve your chances of Viagra working, and still not achieved desirable results, there are alternative ED treatments that you can try. They are not stronger than Viagra, but they work slightly differently.

• Tadalafil – This medication belongs to the same class of drugs as Viagra, PDE5 inhibitors. It is also known by its brand name, Cialis. Tadalafil is taken 30 minutes before sexual activity and can last for up to 36 hours. It is also available as a daily tablet, which is taken every day, for those that do not wish to schedule sexual encounters or wish to benefit from spontaneous sexual activity.
• Vardenafil – This medication is recommended for diabetics. It is also known by its brand name, Levitra. It needs to be taken around 25 minutes before sexual activity and can last for 4-6 hours.
• Avanafil – This medication is also known as Spedra. It is effective in as little as 15 minutes and can benefit those who wish to take a tablet with a fast onset of action. It usually lasts around four hours.
   

Important note: If treatment is not working, speak to your doctor. Especially if you have tried taking Viagra 100mg, and it doesn’t work. This is the maximum dose, and you should not take more than this within a 24-hour period.

Does Viagra stop working?

It is possible for Viagra to stop working. This is usually due to changes in your health or the way in which you take Viagra. Unlike antibiotics, you cannot build up resistance to Viagra in theory. However, some men may find that Viagra stops working for them, or it is not as good as it once was.

Viagra may not always work. Factors such as stress, fatigue, anxiety can sometimes mean that you won’t respond as well to Viagra. Don’t give up on Viagra because of one or two mishaps.

If treatment continues to be ineffective and it has worked previously, consider what changes you may have made more recently. Have you been having a meal just before taking Viagra? Have you started to have a few drinks? Are you taking it at the right time? Are you having relationship problems or feeling depressed?

What to do if Viagra is not working

If Viagra is not working, don’t despair. When Viagra doesn’t work, you can speak to your prescriber or doctor and consider your options. Other medications may work better for you, lifestyle changes or working with a therapist may produce the results you desire and ensure you have a fulfilling sex life.

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.