The Effects of Viagra on the Body



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Healthline → Directory A to Z → The Effects of Viagra on the Body.
Written by Ann Pietrangelo.
Medically Reviewed by.
The Effects of Viagra on the Body.
Viagra is a powerful drug that increases blood flow to the penis so you can get and maintain an erection. It’s effective, but can cause some side effects.
Viagra helps to increase blood flow to the penis, which is necessary to achieve and maintain an erection.
If you have low blood pressure, Viagra may not be the right treatment for you.
When combined with certain other medications, Viagra can be harmful to your heart.
Viagra can help you get an erection and keep it long enough to enjoy sex. But you can have too much of a good thing.
Some men experience a headache when taking Viagra.
Some men feel lightheaded or dizzy when taking Viagra. It’s rare, but fainting has been reported.
It’s not uncommon to have a little indigestion or heartburn after taking Viagra.
If you’re looking a little red-faced after taking Viagra, it may be because flushing is a common side effect of the medication.
Your doctor may advise you not to take Viagra if you have cardiovascular disease.
Viagra doesn’t affect sex drive. You still need to feel physically or mentally stimulated for it to work.
Viagra won’t help if you can’t get your head in the game.
Runny nose, stuffy nose, or blocked nose can all be side effects of Viagra.
If you have vision problems after taking Viagra, you need immediate medical attention.
Viagra helps to increase blood flow to the penis, which is necessary to achieve and maintain an erection.
If you have low blood pressure, Viagra may not be the right treatment for you.
When combined with certain other medications, Viagra can be harmful to your heart.
Viagra can help you get an erection and keep it long enough to enjoy sex. But you can have too much of a good thing.
Some men experience a headache when taking Viagra.
Some men feel lightheaded or dizzy when taking Viagra. It’s rare, but fainting has been reported.
It’s not uncommon to have a little indigestion or heartburn after taking Viagra.
If you’re looking a little red-faced after taking Viagra, it may be because flushing is a common side effect of the medication.
Your doctor may advise you not to take Viagra if you have cardiovascular disease.
Viagra doesn’t affect sex drive. You still need to feel physically or mentally stimulated for it to work.
Viagra won’t help if you can’t get your head in the game.
Runny nose, stuffy nose, or blocked nose can all be side effects of Viagra.
If you have vision problems after taking Viagra, you need immediate medical attention.
Viagra helps to increase blood flow to the penis, which is necessary to achieve and maintain an erection.
If you have low blood pressure, Viagra may not be the right treatment for you.
When combined with certain other medications, Viagra can be harmful to your heart.
Viagra can help you get an erection and keep it long enough to enjoy sex. But you can have too much of a good thing. .
Some men experience a headache when taking Viagra.
Some men feel lightheaded or dizzy when taking Viagra. It’s rare, but fainting has been reported.
It’s not uncommon to have a little indigestion or heartburn after taking Viagra.
If you’re looking a little red-faced after taking Viagra, it may be because flushing is a common side effect of the medication.
Your doctor may advise you not to take Viagra if you have cardiovascular disease.
Viagra doesn’t affect sex drive. You still need to feel physically or mentally stimulated for it to work.
Viagra won’t help if you can’t get your head in the game.
Runny nose, stuffy nose, or blocked nose can all be side effects of Viagra.
If you have vision problems after taking Viagra, you need immediate medical attention.
The Effects of Viagra on the Body.
Viagra is a brand name for the generic drug sildenafil. It’s a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitor. PDE-5 is an enzyme that can stop you from having an erection.
This medication is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). While it helps you temporarily maintain an erection so you can have sex, it does not cure ED. Also, it does not affect sexual desire. You still need mental or physical stimulation to get an erection.
Viagra is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
Circulatory System.
Beginning with arousal signals from your brain, it takes a finely choreographed series of events to produce an erection. And it all hinges on good blood flow to the penis.
Within the penis are two chambers called the corpora cavernosa. Nitric oxide (NO) is released in the chambers during sexual stimulation. NO activates an enzyme called guanylate cyclase. That increases levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which causes muscles to relax.
The chambers also contain a network of blood vessels. When those blood vessels relax and widen, blood rushes in. The resulting pressure is what causes an erection.
PDE-5 can dampen the effect of cGMP. Viagra works by inhibiting PDE-5.
Viagra is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. Maximum concentrations are reached within an hour.
One of the more common side effects is flushing, or redness.
This medication can cause a decrease in blood pressure, particularly one to two hours after taking it. If you already have low blood pressure, discuss the pros and cons of Viagra with your doctor.
For most people, sexual activity is good for cardiovascular health. However, if you have cardiovascular disease, you should ask your doctor if it’s safe for you to take Viagra. You should also avoid Viagra if your doctor advised you not to have sex.
You should not take Viagra if you have had a stroke, heart attack, or have unstable angina.
Certain drug interactions can harm your heart. Avoid taking PDE-5 inhibitors if you also use long lasting alpha blockers or take medications that contain nitrates.
Reproductive System.
Viagra can be quite effective, but it’s no magic pill. It does nothing for your libido. You still need some kind of stimulation to get an erection.
The effects of Viagra usually last about four hours, though it may last longer for some men. A rare, but serious side effect, is priapism. That’s when you get an erection that lasts for a long period of time. It can become quite painful. If you have an erection that lasts for more than four hours, seek immediate medical attention.
You should also be wary of PDE-5 inhibitors if you have an anatomical abnormality of the penis. If you have Peyronie’s disease, your doctor may advise against taking Viagra.
Viagra is a temporary fix and does not cure ED. It offers no protection from sexually transmitted diseases.
Central Nervous System.
Viagra helps to improve blood flow to the penis, but your brain is still your most valuable sex organ. Viagra won’t work if you’re not in the mood.
Some potential side effects of Viagra are headache and runny or blocked nose. Some men feel lightheaded or dizzy. Rarely, Viagra can cause fainting. Some men taking PDE-5 inhibitors report back or muscle pain.
It’s not common, but some men experience ringing in the ears, hearing loss, or vision loss after taking PDE-5 inhibitors. Avoid PDE-5 inhibitors if you have a history of an eye condition called non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy.
If you have hearing or vision loss while taking Viagra, seek immediate medical help.
Digestive and Excretory System.
One fairly common side effect of Viagra is indigestion or heartburn. PDE-5 inhibitors can sometimes cause nausea or vomiting.
Viagra is dispensed in a film-coated tablet. You can take Viagra with or without food, and it’s best to take it about one hour before you plan to have sex.
About 80 percent of Viagra leaves your body in your feces. The rest is washed out with your urine.
Article resources.
Erectile dysfunction (impotence) – Treatment. (2014, September 23). Retrieved from http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Erectile-dysfunction/Pages/Treatment.aspx Label: Viagra- sildenafil citrate tablet, film coated. (2015, March). Retrieved from http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=0b0be196-0c62-461c-94f4-9a35339b4501&audience=consumer Mayo Clinic Staff. (2015, June 6). Erectile dysfunction: Side effects. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/in-depth/erectile-dysfunction/art-20047821?pg=2 Paduch, D. A. (2013, April 9). Drug treatment of erectile dysfunction. Retrieved from https://www.cornellurology.com/clinical-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/drugs-for-erection-problems/
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