A-Z Guide to Viagra

Viagra is one of the most well-known branded medications available to buy. It is incredibly useful for treating erectile dysfunction, a condition that can leave men feeling emasculated and can have a massive effect on mental health. This article is an A-Z of Viagra and will cover everything you need to know about Viagra, the condition it treats, and much more. 

A - Arousal

Arousal is an incredibly important part of Viagra and its effectiveness. For Viagra to work and provide you with the results, you are looking for you need to become sexually aroused. Viagra does not give a man an erection, it actually works by making it easier for him to attain and maintain an erection when he is sexually aroused. 

B - Blood Hypertension

Hypertension is also known as high blood pressure. Men that suffer from high blood pressure are twice as likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction as the blood flow to the penis can damage the lining of the artery walls. This makes it harder for blood to fill the penis when a man becomes sexually aroused. 

C - Cialis

Cialis is one of the most well-known branded alternatives to Viagra. Cialis uses a generic medication known as tadalafil. This medication works in the same way as the medication in Viagra (sildenafil) and is an effective method of treating erectile dysfunction. There is also a daily version of Cialis that is taken every day. 

D - Dosage

Viagra is available to purchase in three different strengths, 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg. The over-the-counter alternative to Viagra, Viagra Connect, is only available to buy in a strength of 50mg. Viagra should be taken as prescribed and will work best when taken at least one hour prior to sexual activity. Your prescriber may choose to change the strength of your medication depending on the results you have had. 

E - Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction is the condition that Viagra is prescribed to treat. Around four million men in the United Kingdom suffer from erectile dysfunction, across all age ranges. The most affected demographic of men is those over the age of 50. This is due to changes in the body that occur when a man gets older.

F - Fertility

Many men will be concerned that erectile dysfunction can make them infertile. When a man cannot attain or maintain an erection it is very difficult to have full intercourse, meaning it is hard to impregnate a woman. Viagra can help a man to get the erection that he needs, and other male fertility aids can also help to improve factors such as sperm quality. 

G - Getting Results

In order to get the best results from your Viagra prescription, there are some things you can do to increase its effectiveness. The best thing you can do is take the medication around an hour prior to sexual activity. You can also ensure that you are in a comfortable environment with someone you trust and someone that you are sexually attracted to. 

H - Hormones

One reason why men may be experiencing erectile dysfunction is because of a reduction in the hormone testosterone. Testosterone is one of the main male hormones, and it plays a large role in the male reproductive system. Viagra works by inhibiting an enzyme called PDE-5. By doing this, the blood flow to the penis is restored and a man will become erect easier. 

I - Impotence

Impotence is simply another name for erectile dysfunction. When a man is impotent they cannot attain or maintain a healthy erection. Viagra, therefore, is also a treatment for impotence. Impotence can be caused by many different factors including age, habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol, blood pressure, and many more. 

J - Judging Results

It is important not to judge the effectiveness of Viagra after your first time. Many factors can lead to Viagra not providing you with the results you are looking for the first time you use it. It may take a few attempts to use Viagra before you become comfortable enough to attain the results you need. 

K - Keeping Safe

To remain safe when taking Viagra, you should always ensure to only take the medication as prescribed by your doctor, following any advice necessary. You should only ever take Viagra once a day, if you take more than this then you may be susceptible to having more side effects and potential health conditions. 

L - Levitra

Another alternative to Viagra is Levitra. Levitra uses the generic medication known as vardenafil to help combat the effects of erectile dysfunction. Levitra relaxes the blood vessels in the penis, making blood flow to the penis easier when a man becomes sexually aroused. 

M - Maintaining an Erection

Erectile dysfunction does not only mean a man struggles to attain an erection, it also relates to his ability to maintain one. Often, men with erectile dysfunction will be unable to maintain an erection no matter how aroused they are, or even if they are in the middle of sexual activity. Viagra will be able to help with this, as well as attaining an erection. 

N - Necessary Precautions

You must follow the necessary precautions prior to using Viagra. Your doctor or independent prescriber may ask you questions regarding blood pressure, allergies, and other medications you are taking. You cannot take Viagra if you have a serious health condition, have ever had an allergic reaction to Viagra or generic sildenafil, or have recently had a heart attack or stroke. 

O - Over-the-Counter Alternatives

Viagra is a prescription-only medication. This means that you can only purchase it when you have a valid prescription. There are however over-the-counter alternatives that can be purchased without the need for a prescription. The most popular alternatives are Viagra Connect and Eropid, both of which are effective treatments for erectile dysfunction. 

P - Priapism

Priapism is the medical name for a painful, long-lasting erection. The effects of Viagra should only last for around two to three hours. If your erection lasts for longer than this, or if it becomes painful then you may wish to consider contacting a doctor for further advice. Priapism is most common in those with sickle cell disease. If you have sickle cell disease you should not use Viagra. 

Q - Quick Results

Viagra will not give you an erection straight away, and it will not give you an erection without you becoming sexually aroused. The best time to take Viagra is around one hour prior to sexual activity. This will give the medication enough time to be absorbed into the body so you can attain an erection when you become sexually aroused. 

R - Reducing Side Effects

As with other prescription medications, Viagra may cause potential side effects. Some of the most common side effects of viagra include dizziness, sickness, headaches, and sleepiness. There is no real way of reducing side effects as they can happen for different reasons, however, the majority of viagra users will not actually be affected by any of them. 

S - Sildenafil

Sildenafil is the generic name for the medication in Viagra. Sildenafil was invented in 1989 by Pfizer and was branded as Viagra. In 2020 it became legal for other companies away from Viagra to make and sell their own generic sildenafil, providing customers with more options than ever before for their erectile dysfunction medication. 

T - Tadalafil

Tadalafil is one of the most popular alternatives to Viagra and its generic medication Sildenafil. Tadalafil is the generic medication that is used in Cialis, the main competitor of Viagra. Tadalafil works in the same way as sildenafil by inhibiting the way that the PDE-5 enzyme works, promoting blood flow to the penis when someone is sexually aroused. 

U - Unwanted Side Effects

The most common side effects of Viagra are as follows:

• Sleepiness

• Nausea

• Sickness

• Flushed Skin

• Blurred Vision

• Stomach Ache

• Muscle Pain

Some of the more serious, less common side effects include:

• Priapism

• Low Blood Pressure

• Sudden Vision Loss

• Sudden Hearing Loss

V - Viagra Connect

Viagra Connect is the over-the-counter alternative to prescription-only Viagra. Viagra Connect does not require a prescription in order to purchase and can provide people with the same results as Viagra or generic Sildenafil. Viagra Connect can be purchased in strengths of 50mg, and packet sizes of 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, 28 and 32 tablets.

W - Who can take Viagra?

Viagra can be taken by any man over the age of 18 who might be suffering from erectile dysfunction. Some people cannot take Viagra for one reason or another. When you are looking at using Viagra, you should mention to your doctor if you are using any other medications, as well as whether or not you are suffering from any serious health conditions.  

X - (e)Xpected Results

When it comes to the results you can expect from Viagra it is important to set your expectations. The first time you take Viagra you may not experience the results you are looking for. With continuous use in a comfortable environment with a relaxed state of mind, you should begin to see expected results from Viagra. 

Y - Your Health

There are other ways that you can change your lifestyle in order to help improve your erectile dysfunction. One of the best things you can do is to quit smoking and drinking alcohol. You can also adapt your diet to eat foods that are rich in vitamin D. Eggs, red meat, spinach and leafy greens, and cereals are good foods to eat if you are suffering from ED.

Z - Zero Effects?

If you find that there are no effects when you first take Viagra then there may be external factors that are not helping. If you are particularly stressed, or if you are not particularly sexually aroused then Viagra may not work as well as it can. If you find that you do not get the desired effects after long-term use then you may need a higher dosage and you will need to speak to your doctor about changing the strength of your medication.