If a man is faced with erectile dysfunction, sooner or later he will resort to treatment. One of the most popular (and most effective) tablets for ED is Viagra. Probably, “beginners” will be interested in what happens in the body when they take a pill for the first time.
Viagra has pretty clear mechanism of action. It inhibits a substance, which interferes with erection processes in the body.
How Does Viagra Work in the Body?
In healthy men, the brain, when excited, sends a signal to nerve cells about pleasure, which by nerve impulses transmit chemicals to the sexual organ, causing a cascade of reactions leading to its erection.
The physiological mechanism of the male erection is associated with the release of nitric oxide (or NO) into penile cavernous bodies during sexual stimulation. This, in turn, leads to an elevation in cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate) rates, subsequent relaxation of the smooth muscle tissue of the cavernous bodies and boosting of blood flow. The relaxed smooth muscles of the arteries provide greater blood flow capacity. However, in some men the process of supplying blood to the penis is disrupted for various reasons. Arteries leading to the genital organs do not open properly and erection does not occur, although the man is aroused.
A chemical substance called phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme inhibits the activity of the aforementioned cGMP. Sildenafil, the main component of Viagra, enhances the effect of NO by inhibiting PDE-5, which leads to the breakdown of cGMP.
Viagra helps to “open the arteries” because it suppresses PDE5 and allows nitrogen oxide to “manifest itself in all its glory.” This medication is efficacious only when there is sexual arousal. This means that if you do not want to have sex, you will not get an unwanted erection. No cause, no result. Viagra simply enhances natural mechanisms.
Viagra has no accumulative effect. It acts the same every time, providing a temporary (but powerful) symptomatic effect.
The drug does not affect reproductive function, which has been confirmed by several studies. Scientists have found that sildenafil does not adversely affect the structure and viability of sperm.
Drug Interactions
Like any other drug, the blue pill can interact with other pharmaceutical substances. Usually these interactions are not dangerous. In some cases, you may need to reduce the dosage of Viagra, for example, if the patient is taking drugs such as erythromycin and clotrimazole. However, the most important thing to know is that under no circumstances can sildenafil be mixed with nitrates, such as nitroglycerin. This is due to the fact that PDE5 inhibitors (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, etc.) and nitrates have intersecting effects. Viagra can reduce pressure, and nitrates lower it markedly. As a result, a cumulative effect may be observed, which leads to a serious drop in blood pressure. This is manifested in the form of severe weakness, dizziness, etc. Naturally, no man wants to have sex in such a state, moreover this condition is dangerous to health.
Let Your Body Get Used to It
If you use “blue diamond” for the first time, you may not get the right effect right away. Some patients need to “get used” to the drug and the next (second) or third time best results will be achieved.
Therefore, do not get upset and look for another drug if Viagra does not work the first time. Although over time some patients really have to switch to another drug (for example, Cialis), because it shows the best effect in these very patients. In addition, scientific research has proven that Levitra works better than Viagra in people with diabetes. Therefore, for these patients, vardenafil-based preparations may be more preferable.
But keep in mind that since sexual arousal depends on testosterone, the drug is less effective for people with low levels of the male sex hormone.
Some patients experience that the drug may lead to addiction.
Is Viagra Addictive?
No, Viagra does not belong to those drugs that affect the nervous system or psyche. In this respect, it cannot be compared with antidepressants or similar drugs. Viagra never causes physiological dependence. However, some men with certain mental features (which are not the norm) may experience psychological dependence. They begin to believe that they will not be able to achieve a normal erection without a pill. In the case of organic ED caused by physiological reasons, their fears can be justified. But if ED has a psychogenic character, this prejudice and fear needs to be get rid of. Perhaps the patient will need the help of a therapist and / or a sexologist, and not just a urologist.
Final Words
If you feel the symptoms of erectile dysfunction, Viagra is a drug worth trying. Its effectiveness and high safety profile have been proven over time, millions of men have received an excellent means to combat the frustrating disease – erectile dysfunction.
The mechanism of Viagra’s action is relatively simple and clear, the drug works only in the right place, without a systemic effect. Sildenafil is rapidly excreted from the body and in less than a day there is no trace of it.
