All You Need to Know About Viagra

Viagra (generic name: Sildenafil) is a commonly prescribed drug to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is a condition where a man cannot get or maintain an erection. According to many studies, about 30% of young men suffer from ED due to different underlying etiologies ((Nguyen, 2017).

Many statements claiming Viagra is involved in enhancing the sexual experience are widely circulating on different media. But how much truth do these claims carry?

Many questions are associated with this immensely popular drug; for example, how does Viagra effects your sexual experience, and does it heighten the pleasure of sexual intercourse?

Read on to find out how this drug can help you with increasing your sexual enjoyment and if all the claims related to this drug are valid or not.

How Does Viagra Work?

Before we discuss how Viagra helps with erection, let's first see how an erection happens.

Erection is caused by the increased blood supply to the penis resulting from vasodilation. These effects take place with the help of a protein called cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Another protein, phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5), helps stop the erection by breaking down the cGMP protein.

Viagra belongs to a group of drugs known as PDE-5 inhibitors. This drug works by blocking the PDE-5 and causes the erection to last long (Wang, 1999).

The erection only happens when you are physically or emotionally aroused.

Popular Claims Associated with Viagra

You might have heard that Viagra is a wonderful pill that can enhance your sexual experience by many folds. This "the little blue pill" can extend your erection time and help you engage in the experience for longer. But all the magical benefits you might hear about this drug might not be accurate.

Below you will find popular questions related to this drug and the evidence-based answers to these questions.

Does Viagra Cause Your Erection to Last Longer?

Different studies have resulted in different answers to this question.

Viagra is used in people who suffer from premature ejaculation. A 2007 study showed Viagra to be effective in these people. It helps delay the ejaculation time significantly. The study also did not find any drug side effects (Wang, 2007).

While another study showed inconclusive results on this question. According to the researchers, Viagra boosts your confidence which is ultimately responsible for an overall satisfying sexual performance. This study was also conducted on men experiencing premature ejaculation (McMahon, 2005).

Does Viagra Cause Instant Erection?

Contrary to the widely accepted belief, the answer to this question is No. While Viagra assists with easy arousal and erection, the process is not instantaneous.

The erection only occurs through visual, physical, or psychological sexual stimulation. As mentioned above, erection happens when the blood supply to the penis is increased with the help of an enzyme, cGMP. It stops when the blood supply returns to normal with the help of another enzyme, PDE-5. Viagra acts as a PDE-5 inhibitor and causes a lasting erection.

In most men facing premature ejaculation issues, taking Viagra can result in successful intercourse within 20 minutes of ingestion (Nathan, 2003).

The effect of Viagra can last for four hours (Eardley, 2002).

Does Viagra Reduce Refractory Periods Between Orgasms?

This is another common question asked by people interested in taking Viagra. Fortunately, the answer to this question is Yes. Many scientific studies have proven that Viagra can cause multiple orgasms in a short time to be true.

One study on healthy men showed that taking Viagra can help them recover after a sexual experience faster than those not using the drug. It means Viagra can cause you to have multiple orgasms in the presence of a continuous sexual stimulus with short refractory periods in between (Aversa, 2000).

Can Viagra Enhance Your Sex Drive?

Different hormones regulate sex drive in both genders. Adrenal hormones like Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and sex hormones like testosterone play a part in this process.

Sex drive is completely dependent on hormones. Taking Viagra does not alter these hormones in any way. It only enhances your sexual experience by making your erection last longer.

Does Viagra Enhance Sexual Pleasure?

No, Viagra does not alter the sensations of sexual intercourse. Sexual feelings arise from some external stimulus. Viagra makes it easier to get an erection after 30 minutes of ingestion. Its effects last at least four hours, so you should take it about an hour before engaging in any sexual activity.

Does Viagra Increase Your Penis Size?

Viagra does not affect your penis size. It can only make your penis look bigger while having an erection that will return to normal size after the erection stops.

Swelling of the genitals is a rare side effect of using Viagra. This side effect can make your penis look bigger even when you are not sexually aroused. You should visit your healthcare provider if you notice such a sign.

Conclusion

Viagra, or "the little blue pill", simply works by giving you an easier erection that lasts longer. When taken about an hour before sexual intercourse, Viagra makes the penetration easier and helps it last longer.

The effects of Viagra have especially been excellent in men experiencing premature ejaculation. Viagra delays the ejection in these men and helps them quickly get a second erection after the first one stops.