The first medication one thinks of when attempting to treat erectile dysfunction is the name brand prescription medication, Viagra. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when a man is unable to have or maintain an erection. It contains the drug sildenafil and has been approved for use in men ages eighteen and older. Sildenafil is in a class of drugs known as phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, or PDE5.
Viagra comes in a tablet form and is taken orally. It is suggested to be taken around an hour before any planned sexual activity, but may be taken half an hour to four hours beforehand. It is available in three strengths, and works by heightening blood flow to the penis, in order to help someone have an erection, as well as keep it. However, this drug only works if you’re sexually aroused.
Viagra has been proven to be effective at treating ED in many clinical studies. Across a variety of studies, around 43% to 83% of men who took Viagra within the aforementioned studies reported improved erections. While only 10% to 24% of men who took a placebo reported improved erections. A placebo has no active drug, and is used in clinical studies to be certain that any results achieved during a study is due to the drug and not a psychological effect.
Unknown to many people, however, is that taking Viagra daily (or another daily PDE5 inhibitor) can have benefits other than that of its initially prescribed usage.
Benefit #1: Slow ED Progression
Taking Viagra in a daily small dose is one way to reduce the severity of progression of erectile dysfunction, functioning as a prophylactic. The definition of prophylactic is “a preventive measure.” It is a term for a measure that is taken to either fend off a disease or another unwanted consequence. Medically, it is always a medication or a treatment designed and/or used to prevent a disease or disorder from developing.
Benefit #2: Improved Urination
When men become older, they will often acquire a bit more difficulty urinating. This is because the prostate becomes larger with age. The prostate is similar to the penis in that it consists of a large amount of smooth muscle. Relaxing this smooth muscle will result in lessening the grip of the prostate on the urethra, which will in turn make it easier to urinate. The “higher grip” is what will cause difficulty urinating among older men.
Benefit #3: Increased Self-Esteem And General Quality Of Life
Dr. Irwin Goldstein, director of San Diego Sexual Medicine at Alvarado Hospital, as well as clinical professor of surgery at the University of California San Diego spoke to online news site, Healthline in March of 2021. He was a primary researcher and pioneer in early sildenafil research. Goldstein, along with many other medical professionals, psychologists, doctors and scientists alike can agree on this next benefit. The benefit is that Viagra can greatly improve an individual’s quality of life. He is quoted as saying “Self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-worth in the male are highly related to sexual function.” He also said, “there are multiple reports on men taking PDE5 inhibitors and exhibiting better life quality from the perspective of confidence and satisfaction.”
Benefit #4: Reduced Number Of Strokes And Heart Attacks
One large benefit of Viagra, alongside other PDE5 inhibitors, is that they are known as “endothelial friendly medications.” The endothelium is a term used for the thin membrane lining our blood vessels. When the endothelium becomes injured, it could lead to the development of plaque or atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a disease of the arteries characterized by the deposition of plaques of fatty material on their inner walls. Due to this, “one can argue that taking a PDE5 inhibitor daily has led to fewer stokes, fewer heart attacks, and better erections,” according to Goldstein.
Now we know that taking Viagra daily can assist in stopping an ED from developing as intensely, as well as succeeding at its prescribed purpose, which is to help achieve and maintain an erection within those diagnosed with ED. Alongside these benefits, Viagra can help improve one’s ability to urinate, improve quality of life in general, and also prevent injury to the endothelium. If you feel you need Viagra, speak to your doctor about a dosage and frequency that is right for you.