November 30, 2022

The Good, The Bad, and Viagra

As a professional Jewish matchmaker, the topic of sex is always on the table. Sex is one of many aspects of a healthy relationship - as is a balance between what is healthy for you personally, and what is healthy for your relationship. To be fully satisfied in life you must find this balance. The percentage of men globally who suffer from Erectile Dysfunction (ED) has not been precisely determined but without a doubt, this dysfunction has a serious repercussions on romantic relationships and the psychology of both partners.

Understandably, drugs like Viagra can seem a godsend to men who experience ED and have undoubtedly proved helpful in many a relationship. But with every drug comes contraindications and concerns that you should be aware of. The intent of this article is to briefly provide some important information and to stimulate the reader to do more research if considering (or currently taking) Viagra (or equivalents).

Viagra has a very interesting birth story. A drug created by Pfizer, it was originally intended to help reduce high blood pressure and angina pectoris (a type of cardiovascular disease).  Test trials proved it ineffective for heart disease, but revealed a surprising effect - within 30 to 60 minutes of taking the drug, men developed an erection. Pfizer immediately recognized the popularity of such a drug and moved forward with marketing it as a solution to impotence. The drug was patented under the name Sildenafil in 1996 and approved by the FDA for erectile dysfunction - after only two years of trials.

It was an immediate success and quickly shot into popular, mainstream awareness. Competitors such as Cialis and Levitra burst onto the scene and the drug companies began targeting not only older men, but also men in their 30’s and 40’s, even though the long term health effects of the drugs were not tested.

I’m not a doctor, but as a matchmaker I feel some obligation to provide information concerning relationships. Viagra has become commonplace in the sexual arena and certainly impacts relationships. Many men have no qualms about taking the drug in an effort to enhance their stamina, even if erectile dysfunction is not an issue. This article is intended to provide some background on the drug and potential concerns. I have included the links to all my sources below. At the very least, I hope it will stimulate further research on the part of the reader who may be taking the drug or considering it.

What exactly does Viagra do? Viagra works by inhibiting the enzyme that’s responsible for controlling blood flow out of the penis when a man is sexually aroused. One cause of erectile dysfunction (ED) is connected to the PDE5 enzyme. This enzyme is responsible for the flaccid penis after sex. If this enzyme is not balanced, achieving and maintaining an erection can be impossible. Viagra and others, inhibit this enzyme so that blood can flow into the penis and produce an erection. Of course, this isn’t the only reason that a man might have ED; other causes can be low testosterone, high blood pressure, heart disease, and/or psychological causes.

Certain health conditions may not be compatible with taking these inhibitors. Some of those conditions include: high blood pressure, low blood pressure, myocardial infarction, a recent stroke, unstable angina, penis abnormalities (curved penis or other), arrhythmia, renal disorders (eye problems), coronary artery disease, crowded disc, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypolipidemia, bleeding disorders, kidney disase, liver disease, smoking (may increase change of serious side effect in vision), stomach ulcer, leukemia, myeloma, sickle cell anemia, and more.

There are also many drugs that are not compatible with PDE5 inhibitors. If you are taking any of those drugs for other health issues, you should not take Viagra. This list is too long for me to include in this article, please research and also discuss with your doctor.

The most common side effects of PDE5 inhibitors include headache, nausea, flushing/hot flashes, indigestion, stuffy nose, dizziness, and vision problems. Serious side effects include loss of vision, skin rash, wheezing, tightness in chest or throat, trouble breathing or talking, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat, anaphylaxis, chest pain, seizures/fits, or a prolonged erection (which can result in permanent damage).

If you are considering taking any type of pharmaceutical, you should have a deep and thorough discussion with your physician. A discussion that goes into detail about the potential side effects of the drug as well as a discussion to be sure that you do not have any health issues that are incompatible with the drug.

A man (and his partner) should be fully aware of the potential side effects of PDE5 enzyme inhibitors before taking them - and they are not drugs that should be used recreationally to enhance performance. The human body is an amazing creation and should be treated with reverence and respect. Make decisions about what goes into it with care and concern for your long term health and overall well-being.

Sources:

FDA Approves Viagra: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fda-approves-viagra#:~:text=Sildenafil%20was%20patented%20in%201996,Peter%20Dunn%20and%20Albert%20Wood

How Does Viagra Work: https://www.forhims.com/blog/how-does-viagra-work

Sildenafil Precautions: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/sildenafil-oral-route/precautions/drg-20066989?p=1

Medicines Used to Improve Erections: https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/medicines/p/pde5-inhibitors/

Side Effects of Sildenafil: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/sildenafil-viagra/side-effects-of-sildenafil/

The Risk of Taking Medicines Like Viagra When You Don’t Have Erectile Dysfunction: https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/erectile-dysfunction/risks-of-recreational-viagra-cialis-use

Is Erectile Dysfunction Common?: https://www.healthline.com/health/how-common-is-ed#:~:text=This%20study%20found%20that%20around,young%20men%20to%20experience%20ED