Viagra & Men’s Health: Breaking the Stigma Around Erectile dysfunction (ED) Treatment

by Shradhha Joshi

January 10, 2025

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a sexual problem faced by quite a few men and is the reason why partners are not able to enjoy sex and have their children. Most men do not like to have an open discussion about it. So, here in this article, we will first be breaking the stigma of ED and then its treatment with Viagra. We hope that at the end of your read, you are convinced to buy Viagra for treating your erectile dysfunction if your doctor prescribes it.

Understanding Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

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Erectile dysfunction is described as the sustained inability of men to obtain or maintain an erect penis when they feel sexually aroused, enough to have a satisfactory sexual performance. Earlier, it was believed that ED was an outcome of psychological problems, but now it is known that ED is the result of insufficient blood supply to the penis.

There is a known link between mental health and ED. Most ED cases have psychological causes, and experts reveal that ED can affect men’s mental health, physical relationships, and social life. ED is known to be associated with stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, low confidence, sleep issues, and relationship issues.

Erectile dysfunction can be organic or the result of premature ejaculation. The potential risk factors of ED include type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, prostate problems, hypogonadism, priapism, Peyronie’s disease, alcohol abuse, chronic diseases, some drugs, poor sexual techniques, lack of sexual knowledge, and smoking.

The Role of Viagra in Men’s Health

Viagra is a brand-name oral medication with the active ingredient sildenafil. Sildenafil is also known as the generic version of Viagra. The drug belongs to the pharmacological class: phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor.

In general, Viagra benefits the sexual and urinary health of men. It is FDA-approved prescription medicine cleared for use by adults who are sexually stimulated but at the same time suffering from erectile dysfunction.

It works to increase blood flow to the penis by relaxing the penile blood vessels when men with ED feel sexually aroused. As a PDE 5 inhibitor, it blocks the activity of the enzyme PDE5. PDE5 is responsible for breaking down cyclic GMP, a chemical that relaxes and widens blood vessels in the penis and even relaxes muscles around erectile tissue in the penis.

By blocking PDE5, Viagra allows cyclic GMP to work for a longer time than usual, increase blood flow to the penis, and get and keep the penis hard and erect.

Breaking the Stigma Around Erectile dysfunction (ED) and Its Treatment

ED is usually unreported by men because of its associated stigma.

Here are some ways to dispel myths that exist around ED and its treatment and change men’s perceptions about Viagra.

Educating Oneself: It’s important to have a better understanding of ED and ED treatment options from trusted, reliable sources like ours.
Being open and honest: Men should have open discussions with their partners about their problems with penile erections and be honest about their sexual feelings.
Promoting healthy lifestyle habits: Having a healthy lifestyle routine like regular exercising, having a well-balanced diet, getting proper sleep, managing stress, and ensuring no tobacco, drugs, or alcohol use can help men improve their sexual function.
Being supportive: Partners of men with ED should be supportive and caring and make sure that men don’t feel alone or ignored.
Seeking help: It’s not right to delay informing the doctor about any sexual changes or concerns like ED. Men should quickly report sexual problems to doctors and get timely, appropriate help.
Considering counseling: Men with ED commonly experience anxiety or stress because of their unsatisfactory sex life. Speaking to a counselor can help lower stress or anxiety related to sex.
Prioritizing sexual health: To ensure good sexual health, it is recommended to go for regular sexual health check-ups and screenings and quickly catch issues before they turn serious and impact life quality.
Considering other treatments: There are a range of medical treatments that can help restore and enhance sexual function. A doctor can determine the right treatment based on the patient’s age, general health status, and medical history; the extent of the problem; the patient’s tolerance level for specific medications, procedures, or therapies; and the patient’s opinion or preference.

Safety and Responsible Usage of Viagra

Viagra is safe for use if it’s prescribed by a doctor, the patient takes it as per recommended dosage, the patient is not suffering from any other illness, and has not taken other drugs that could cause unwanted interactions.

However, just like any other medicine, it also comes with certain side effects. The potential mild side effects include headache, rashes, heartburn, nasal congestion, muscle or back pain, dizziness, flushing, nausea, and vision problems.

Viagra tablets come in three strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg. The suggested/safe starting dose of Viagra for treating ED is 50 mg and the maximum dose is 100 mg. If in any case the doctor prescribes you Viagra, you can buy Viagra online through OffshoreCheapMeds at very affordable prices.

Viagra Safety Tips:

Avoid overdosing
Taking an overdose of Viagra tablets can lead to higher chances of side effects, including serious ones like priapism, hypotension, heart problems, and allergic reactions. For older adults, who are at high risk of having side effects, the recommended ED dosage may be 25 instead of 50.

Take Viagra when needed
After intake of Viagra, its medicinal effects start showing up within 30 minutes and sometimes up to 4 hours. Therefore, the drug should be taken about an hour before having sex and not necessarily daily.

Inform the doctor about the current intake of medications and supplements to avoid interactions and safely use Viagra
Viagra is known to interact with nitrate medications, guanylate cyclase stimulators, HIV protease inhibitors, alpha-blockers, antifungals, antibiotics, and other medicines that treat ED.

Be aware of Viagra’s contraindications
Viagra is not safe for use by men having an allergy to any of the ingredients of Viagra or those having medical conditions like heart/liver/kidney problems, deformed penis shape, bleeding issues, and stomach ulcers.

Beyond Viagra: Comprehensive Erectile dysfunction (ED) Management

Besides taking Viagra, men with ED are encouraged to lead a healthy lifestyle, take steps towards a healthy heart, and avoid stress. For those who are taking any drugs that could affect erectile function, they should stop consuming those medicines and look for alternatives.

In cases of hormonal imbalances, restoring the testosterone hormone level with hormone replacement therapy can even be appropriate for relieving ED symptoms.

Thus, to ensure comprehensive ED management, it is advised to consult a doctor timely and know the reason behind ED so that specific treatment can be provided.

Building a Supportive Environment for Men’s Health

ED is a sensitive, challenging sexual problem that can have a significant impact on one’s relationship. Although it is very helpful to get men with ED to consult doctors, however, as a partner, it is crucial to provide proper support.

To ensure good sexual health among men, their partners need to express how much they value them, foster open communication about ED, emphasize their qualities, be empathetic and understanding, assure them about being emotionally together, make them have a positive outlook, adjust sexual life to accommodate their ED, keep emotional and physical connections with their partners intact, and accompany them to a doctor for medical advice.

FAQs

How does Viagra help with ED?

Viagra helps improve the sexual life of men suffering from erectile dysfunction. It works to help sexually aroused men achieve and maintain a temporary penile erection.

Can ED be treated without medication?

Men who don’t want or can’t take oral medication like Viagra for treating ED can get relief from ED symptoms with lifestyle modifications, counseling, vacuum erection devices, urethral suppositories, testosterone replacement, penile implants, or penile injections.

Why is there a stigma around ED and Viagra?

There are many reasons behind the stigma around ED, including social stigma; misconceptions that ED is a psychological or normal part of aging; lack of routine screening for ED among men; and fear of feeling less than a man when taking treatment for ED. The stigma around Viagra has over time reduced to a great extent. But still, a stigma exists that Viagra is a performance enhancer, a wonder drug, a boundary pusher, a quick fix, and makes sex medicine not spontaneous.

Is Viagra safe for everyone?

Viagra is generally safe for anyone who is prescribed this medication and is taking it as per the doctor’s direction. However, to ensure Viagra safety, patients are advised to inform doctors about any medications they are taking and any health issues they are suffering from beforehand.

References

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