Recent Viagra research has demonstrated that men who take ED therapies like Cialis, Viagra or Levitra are more likely to have sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including higher rates of HIV/AIDS.
A new study involved more than 1, 4 million middle –aged and older men suffering from ED and taking ED medications. The study was conducted by researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Southern California. The researchers state that the responsibility is found not with the ED medications but with the misunderstanding of the men who risk their health having unsafe sex. Men mistakenly think that Viagra and other its alternatives can protect them from SDTs. That is why the researches appeal to doctors to warn and counsel the patients about safe sex practices.
According to the study males who used an ED therapy were three times more likely than non-users to have sexually transmitted diseases. The most frequently reported STD was HIV/AIDS and Chlamydia. The study has investigated that men over 50 are much less likely than younger men to use condoms.
The researchers suggest a necessity for greater care in prescribing medications for treating impotence.
Medications for treating ED available on the pharmaceutical market differ by the method of taking: oral medications, drugs injected directly into the penis, or medications to be inserted into the urethra.
Injections into the penis allow men to achieve strong erections by supplement of extra blood inflow into the penis. Injected medications usually used are: papaverine hydrochloride, phentolamine, and alprostadil (Caverject). They widen blood vessels and provide strong enough erections for sexual intercourse. These medications do not require any sexual stimulation, the erection occurs automatically. Some side effects of these drugs can be dangerous including persistent erection (priapism) besides these drugs may cause scars on the skin.
A muse system for placing a pellet of alprostadil into the urethra uses a prefilled applicator to deliver the pellet about an inch deep into the urethra. An erection is achieved about 10 minutes after insert of the drug and may last 30 to 60 minutes. The unpleasant side effects of this system are aching in the penis, testicles, and area between the penis and rectum. Sometimes this method causes warmth or burning sensation in the urethra, redness from increased blood flow to the penis and minor urethral bleeding or spotting.
The injections and systems for getting erections were common medical treatment methods before Viagra and other its alternatives appeared on the market. This latest advance for managing ED has made the treatment more effective in achieving the results even in severe cases of impotence.
Oral medications for ED such as Viagra are simple in usage, have been carefully tested for safety and effectiveness.
Viagra and other oral ED drugs belong to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors. Taken before sexual activity, Viagra works by enhancing the effects of nitric oxide, a chemical that relaxes smooth muscles in the penis during sexual stimulation and allows increased blood flow.
Viagra improves the response to sexual stimulation, but it does not trigger an automatic erection as injections and systems do. Each of PDE inhibitors should be used only once a day. For all the oral medications belonging to the drug class of PDE inhibitors there are some restrictions in taking. Men with serious diseases and those who take nitrate-based drugs, alpha-blockers for prostate enlargement or high blood pressure drugs should be careful while taking ED medications. A doctor’s consultation is necessary to adjust the right dose or time schedule for taking contradictory drugs.
The other oral medication for ED is testosterone intake for those men who have hormone imbalances or who due to the aging factor have low level of testosterone. This treatment method can reduce ED in some men with low levels of natural testosterone, but it is often ineffective and may cause liver damage.
Other oral drugs such as: yohimbine hydrochloride, dopamine and serotonin agonists, and trazodone according to the results of scientific studies do not correspond to the effects claimed by the manufacturers. The reports of the most patients about improvements after taking these drugs are only placebo effect from the patient’s believing that an improvement will occur.
The most common sexual problems in men are premature ejaculation, loss of libido or sexual desire and erectile dysfunction. The causes of premature ejaculation are not completely determined and associated with chemical processes in the brain; loss of libido may be a result of taking certain medications, drinking alcohol, using illegal drugs or due to some psychological disorders. The causes of ED can be a result of physical or psychological problems.
Many physical and/or medical conditions can cause problems with potency. Here you can find the list of physical causes; however this list is not complete. These conditions include diabetes, heart and vascular disease, nerve damage, hormonal imbalance, chronic kidney or liver disease. Such unhealthy habits as alcoholism, taking of illegal drug and overeating can also afflict ED. Proper treatment of underlying cause of ED and changes in lifestyle can help to restore sexual life.
Side effects of certain medications (antidepressant drugs, hair regrowth medications and others) can have a negative impact on sexual function. Dose changing or altering of the drug causing potency problems to other drug may improve sexual ability and function.
Certain damages to genital area or penis injuries can also cause a person to fail in sexual performance.
Psychological causes include anxiety, constant stresses, depression, worries about sexual performance (especially for young men), relationship problems, the effects of a past sexual trauma. Psychotherapy and sexual education, communication with a sexual partner and other techniques can relieve anxiety and solve the disorder.
Sexual problems may occur at any age and may have a negative impact on the sexual relationships. Sexual problems prevent both partners from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual activity. Sexual disorders influence all the four phases of sexual activity: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.
Studies proved that sexual problems are common, both women and men report having difficulties in their sexual life. These difficulties may be of physical of psychological character. Still mostly all the people are reluctant to discuss such problems that is why lots of sexual dysfunctions remain untreatable. Practically all the cases of sexual dysfunction are treatable now, so it is necessary to discuss your concerns with your partner and doctor and solve the problem.
Sexual problems affect both partners. They can be results of physical disorders or constant stress, depression, irregular sexual life, lifestyle. They can occur in people of all ages, but older people have more chances to experience any of the sexual disorders.
Men are eager to know if they can mix their Viagra with alcohol. For most men drinking some amount of alcohol before sex is a normal and regular thing. And most men think that alcohol makes them more potent in bed. Of course, they are not right. Alcohol in large amounts may negate the whole process of having and maintaining erection and performing well in bed. For those who have problems with potency and take ED medicines, alcohol may make the drugs simply ineffective.
Still sex therapists answer “yes” when they hear the men’s most frequently asked question – “Can I take Viagra with alcohol?” But, they advise to drink small amounts of alcohol to avoid negative side effects.
Viagra pack provides the consumer with a warning in which the manufacturer urges you not to drink alcohol while you are on Viagra. There are some reasons why experts do not recommend mixing alcohol with Viagra.
Reason 1- Viagra should not be taken with blood thinners.
The manufacturer instructs – Viagra is not to be taken with blood thinners and alcohol belongs to the blood thinners.
Reason 2 – Alcohol negates a natural ability to have erections.
Racing heartbeat and bad headaches and other unpleasant things which alcohol may cause even in a healthy person. Large amounts of alcohol impair the ability to get erections in men, making the treatment with Viagra ineffective.
Reason 3 – Viagra mixed with alcohol – increased risk of developing side effects. Such common side effects of Viagra as headache, dizziness, facial flushing, indigestion, diarrhea and body ache may get increased when a person takes alcohol in excessive amounts. Don’t combine your Viagra with alcohol because you double your chances to have side effects of the drug.
Ask your doctor what amount of alcohol you may drink to avoid risks for your health and enjoy your sexual life.
Nowadays medicine offers lots of ED treatment techniques which can help even in severe cases. Start your treatment with a visit to your doctor. Only a professional can determine what causes your potency problems and how to treat them. For some men, psychotherapy is necessary, for others medical treatment, it depends on the underlying problem of your ED.
Usually experts recommend to start with changing lifestyle habits which can help to lose extra weight, increase testosterone levels, decrease cholesterol and blood sugar levels if a person has certain problems depending on lifestyle. Doctors advise to give up smoking and drinking large amount of alcohol, increasing physical activity. These simple changes may help some men regain sexual function.
Some diseases and certain medications may affect man’s ability to get normal erections. These diseases should be diagnosed and treated by a professional; it may help to restore sexual life.
When a person takes drugs for high blood pressure or antidepressants regularly, it may lead to problems with erections. Sometimes cutting back on such drugs allows improving sexual function. Still if you have to take such drugs on a regular basis, ask your doctor to make a change for the alternative with fewer harmful side effects.
For a group of patients with psychological problems psychotherapy is recommended. When a person gets back self- confidence and gets rid of stress and fear of sexual life, in some cases it helps to enhance sex life. Sometimes psychotherapy is followed by medications for ED treatment.
Other treatment options which can help are locally injected drugs, vacuum devices, and surgically implanted devices. All in all remember, that only your doctor can decide what treatment option will be the best for you.
Males without any problems with erections should not take Viagra as a relaxing or recreational drug or for other purposes. Those men who are healthy say that consuming Viagra changes their sexual experience greatly. But is this change good?
Many of such men think that the drug provides them with harder erections. Still this rigidness can be so intense that men feel uncomfortable and most of them lose sensation during sexual activity. There were studies involving healthy men having no problems in bed, who received Viagra in different doses. The results showed that participants after taking the drug found it difficult to achieve orgasm. Some of the volunteers even had painful erections which caused them discomfort and made impossible normal sexual intercourse.
Some of the volunteers reported that the physical reaction happened so quickly and the penis got hard long before the man was sexually excited and ready for sexual activity.
However, those who have consumed Viagra as a recreational drug say that it helps to sustain an erection much easier and what is more it provides a second erection very quickly after orgasm.
Viagra helps to improve erectile function but if you are young and have no problems with erections, you should not use the drug.
Viagra is a prescription drug used to treat ED in males. Only your doctor can decide if the medicine is right for you. If you want to get more information about the drug, ask your pharmacist or talk to your doctor. You can also visit www.Viagra.com.
You should discuss with your doctor all the questions about your health condition and medications you are taking. Your doctor will estimate the risk of taking Viagra with other medications which can interact with each other.
If there is a potential cardiac risk of sexual activity, your doctor may advise you to refrain from sexual activity for some time.
Sexual life is an integral part of healthy life for everyone. And if some problems with potency occur, they should be discussed with a professional, who will help to find the right decision for your problem and advise the best method of treatment.
Viagra should not be taken with the other medications for ED such as sildenafil (Kamagra), tadalafil (Cialis) or vardenafil (Levitra). These all therapies belong to drug class – specific phosphodiesterase type5 (PDE5) and their combination can increase the potential health risks of each drug.
Viagra combined with a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems can significantly decrease blood pressure. This combination is a serious concern of the doctors that is why you should consult your doctor if you intend to take Viagra while being on nitrates.
The list of most commonly used nitrates is as following:
- nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit, Transderm-Nitro);
- isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate);
- isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket);
- amyl nitrate or nitrite (“poppers”).
Before adopting Viagra tablet, tell your doctor about all other drugs you take especially if you use:
- bosentan (Tracleer);
- cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB);
- conivaptan (Vaprisol);
- diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Solareze);
- imatinib (Gleevec);
- isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis);
- rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane);
- an antidepressant such as nefazodone;
- an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), dalfopristin/quinupristin (Synercid), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin) or telithromycin (Ketek);
- an antifungal medication such as clotrimazole (Mycelex Troche), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or voriconazole (Vfend);
- heart or blood pressure medication such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), doxazosin (Cardura), nicardipine (Cardene), quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex, Quin-Release), or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin,Verelan); or
- HIV/AIDS medicine such as atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), saquinavir (Invirase), or ritonavir (Norvir).
The list of the drugs which can interact with Viagra is not full, you need to inform your doctor about all the prescription you use.
Viagra often provokes a headache, a stuffy nose and a flushed face. Still those who use it do not mind that much, due to the relatively mild character of these side effects. Only few people give up taking the drug because of these side effects.
The other less serious Viagra side effects are:
- warmth or redness in the neck, or chest;
- memory problems;
- upset stomach; or
- back pain.
Still if these conditions worry you consult your doctor.
Visual disturbances such as a blue-green tinge to vision which occur rather rarely are not 100% proved to be caused by using the drug.
It is confirmed that Viagra side effects occur more frequently at higher doses. Side effects have a tendency to disappear with use.
Stop using Viagra and get emergency medical help if you experience a serious side effect such as:
- Sudden vision loss;
- Sudden hearing loss;
- Chest pain;
- Pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
- Abnormal heartbeat;
- Shortness of breath;
- Fainting;
- Priapism.
If you have an allergic reaction to the drug such as: difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, call your doctor at once.
In case of overdose (the symptoms: chest pain, nausea, irregular heartbeat, and feeling light-headed or fainting), get emergency medical attention immediately.