The blue pill for men, otherwise known as Viagra (erection pills), is one of the most recognizable prescription drugs in the world.
The diamond-shaped blue pill for men was originally developed for chest pain but is now prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).
Erectile Dysfunction and Viagra
Additionally, almost half of the men over the age of 40 have experienced sexual dysfunction (erectile dysfunction).
The most common symptom includes the inability to get an erection that is strong enough for sex.
This is the problem that embarrasses most men even to talk about, let alone consult a doctor.
However, it is important to know that erectile dysfunction is a completely treatable medical condition.
Viagra is a pill that is used as an effective treatment option for erectile dysfunction medications.
The blue pill increases blood flow to the penile arteries effectively and helps men who consume it get an erection that is hard enough for sex, as well as maintain it.
Moreover, it is a well-known medication for increasing testosterone levels and improving your sexual health.
Viagra is an enhancement supplement for improving sexual relationships for those who suffer from ED and want to improve their sexual performance.
According to Dr. Jesse Mills, director at The Men’s Health Clinic at UCLA, the launch of the blue pill for men on march 27th 1998 essentially created the field of men’s health.
Because Viagra addressed such a common problem and men had to go to the doctor for a prescription, it opened the lines of communication between men and doctors, most men’s health specialists work backwards from Viagra now
Jesse mills, director, the men’s health clinic ucla.
Sildenafil is the main ingredient in Viagra. Viagra is just a brand-name version of the generic drug sildenafil.
Viagra is used to treat ED. It helps you temporarily maintain an erection so you can have sex, but it does not cure ED.
It does not affect your sexual desire either. You still need mental or physical stimulation to get an erection.
The blue pill is only available with a doctor’s prescription.
Who should not take Viagra?
Most men ages 18 and over can take sildenafil [Viagra] for erectile dysfunction.
Most adults and children aged 1 year and over can take sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension.
That is because sildenafil tablets are a medication that treats pulmonary hypertension. This is a condition that causes high blood pressure in your lungs.
Furthermore, it works by relaxing your blood vessels and lowering the blood pressure in your lungs.
The blue pill for men is not suitable for some people. It is always recommended to consult your doctor before taking Viagra or any other erectile dysfunction drug, for that matter.
You should not be taking Viagra without speaking to your doctor if you:
Have ever had an allergic reaction to sildenafil or any other medicine.
Are taking medicines called nitrates for chest pain (angina).
Have a serious heart or liver problem.
Have recently had a stroke, heart attack, risk of heart disease, heart palpitation, or any other health issues.
Have a low blood pressure.
Have a rare inherited eye disease, such as retinitis pigmentosa.
Have sickle cell anaemia, leukaemia or multiple myeloma.
Have a deformity of your penis or Peyronie’s disease [curved penis].
Have stomach ulcer.
Have a bleeding problem like haemophilia.
How Viagra Works?
To get an erection, it takes a series of events beginning with arousal signals from your brain, and it all hinges in good blood flow to the penis.
Viagra can be very effective, but it still needs some kind of sexual stimulation to get an erection.
It may improve the blood flow to your penis, but your brain is still your most valuable sex organ.
Viagra will not work if you are not in the mood.
Sexual activity is good for cardiovascular health. However, if you have cardiovascular disease or any other underlying health conditions, ask your doctor if it is safe for you to take Viagra.
You should also avoid Viagra if your doctor advised you to not have sex.
The Viagra is recommended to be taken from 30 minutes to one hour before having sexual intercourse.
The effects of Viagra last about 4 hours normally. Even though there may be cases where the effects can differ.
It is better to seek immediate medical attention if you have an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours. One of the serious and rare case of side effect of Viagra is Priapism.
That is when you get an erection that lasts for a long period of time. It can be quite painful.
Viagra should not be taken more than once per day. The blue pill for men is dispensed in a film-coated tablet.
You can take Viagra with or without food, and it is best to take it an hour before you plan to have sex.
Furthermore, about 80% of Viagra leaves your body in your excrements. The rest is washed out with your urine.
One of the common side effects of Viagra is indigestion or upset stomach. Sometimes it can cause nausea or vomiting.
Viagra is a temporary fix and does not cure erectile dysfunction. Also, it does not offer any protection from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
A naturally occurred erection can be maintained by Viagra, like during the sexual interaction.
Viagra would not make your penis get an erection, and the penis will not harden or grow in size. It does not improve your sex drive.
Recreational use of Viagra (Blue Pills)
Viagra (blue pill for men) is a prescription medicine that should not be consumed for recreational purposes.
A study in the Archives of Sexual Behavior says that recreational ED drug use is associated with increased risk of sexually transmitted infections and higher rates of illegal drug use.
The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that men who take ED medications recreationally report lower sexual satisfaction than nonusers.
As a result, the more frequent men used ED medications recreationally, the less confident they were in their sexual abilities.
The recreational use of ED medication can cause psychogenic erectile dysfunction, which is the inability to maintain or getting an erection due to psychological issues.
However, one of the major setbacks of blue pills is how people are getting the medication.
Moreover, getting drugs from a friend or other sources is a recipe for expired, fake, or contaminated pills.
Online pharmacies don’t always cheat either. But often they sell drugs with missing active ingredients or in smaller amounts.
The bottom line is it is safe to take these medications as prescribed by your doctor or medical health professional.
Side effects of Viagra
If you are experiencing severe side effects from Viagra, stop using the medication and seek medical attention immediately.
If there are only mild side effects, however, talk with your doctor about changing your dosage
Many people using this medicine with prescription do not have serious side effects.
There are few common side effects that can result from Viagra. These include:
Light headedness
Nausea
Change in vision
Stomach upset
Headache
Flushing
Dyspepsia
Nasal congestion
Dizziness
Rash
Back pain
Muscle pains and aches
If these symptoms become severe, immediate medical attention is necessary.
More severe side effects from Viagra can include:
Prolonged erections
Loss of vision
Loss of hearing
Additionally, seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing these symptoms.
Alternatives of Blue Pill For Men
Oral medicines are often the first line of treatment for erectile dysfunction. There are many alternative oral medications to Viagra. The main oral medications for ED are:
Tadalafil (Cialis) – it is also known as weekend pill. The potency of Cialis comes from its primary ingredient tadalafil.
Tadalafil is selectively seven times more potent that Sildenafil (Viagra).
Vardenafil (Levtra) – it comes as a round orange pill. It is similar to Viagra in length of effect but can be taken with meals, unlike Viagra.
Herbal pills – there are several herbal pills that are an alternative to Viagra. Bindii, Horny goat weed, Ginseng, Ashwagandha, etcetera is some of the popular ones.
Vardenafil (Staxyn) - Staxyn is different from the other ED drugs because you don’t swallow it with water. Instead, you place the tablet on your tongue and allow it to dissolve. Do this about 1 hour before sexual activity.
FAQs
Q. What are the common side effects of Viagra?
A. Viagra may cause some unwanted side effects.
Side effects may include:
sensitivity to light
muscle aches
heartburn
nose bleeding
flushed skin
problems falling asleep
tingling in the arms, feet, legs, or hands
numbness in the arms, feet, legs, or hands
headache
diarrhoea
heartburn
trouble differentiating between colours like blue and green
seeing a blue tinge on things
Q. How many minutes before sex should I take Viagra?
A. Viagra should be taken within 30 to 60 minutes before having sex. .
The effects of Viagra last about 4 hours normally. Even though there may be cases where the effects can differ.
It is better to seek immediate medical attention if you have an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours.
Q. What is the success rate of getting an erection after taking Viagra?
A. Viagra has been shown to be effective in two-thirds of the men suffering from erectile dysfunction.
The Viagra is a temporary fix and does not cure erectile dysfunction. Viagra can be very effective, but it still needs some kind of sexual stimulation to get an erection.
It may improve the blood flow to your penis, but your brain is still your most valuable sex organ.
Viagra will not work if you are not in the mood.
Q. Is there any online consultation for the treatment of ED?
A. Yes, there are in fact many online consultations available for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
You can consult medical health professionals and doctors online and treat ED with medications and other treatments. One of the online consultations for men’s health is given below:
Written by: Mohammed Shamil
Edited by: Aniket Joshi