Erectile dysfunction (ED) or male impotence is a very common situation for men. About thirty million men in the United States suffer from erectile dysfunction. Of those 30 million, only one in twenty seek any treatment. Often the initial treatment that many men try is Viagra ®.
Approximately one million men a month receive a prescription of Viagra ®. That's a lot of blue pills. What does Viagra actually do? Viagra works by blocking the enzyme that takes away an erection. If a man is unable to start an erection or to initiate an erection, Viagra will not work for him. However, Viagra will improve an erection. It's particularly important for people to realize that you need direct stimulation to the penis in order to be able to obtain and maintain your erection.
ED can be a physical problem. Normally, when a man is sexually excited, his penis fills with more blood than usual and it becomes erect or hard. When a man has ED, his penis does not fill with enough blood to get erect or hard. Or it may not stay erect long enough to complete the act of sex. Many men have this health problem as stated earlier. Studies show that about half of the men between the ages of 40 and 70 have ED to some degree.
What causes Erectile Dysfunction?
There are many reasons why a man may develop ED. Despite the common myth, ED is not simply a result of aging. It is more likely to be caused by an underlying health problem.
Some causes of ED can be:
Diabetes
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Depression
Heart disease
Stress
Cigarette smoking
Injuries,or surgery
Certain medications
Too much alcohol
Here’s what usually happens when a man is sexually excited:
1. The arteries in the penis relax and widen (this allows more blood to flow into the penis).
2. These arteries then expand and harden.
3. The veins that normally carry blood away from the penis get compressed (this restricts the blood flow out of the penis).
4. More blood begins flowing in and less flows out, making the penis larger; this causes an erection.
How Viagra or other erectile dysfunction drugs work:
Viagra works by increasing blood flow where you need it. With Viagra, you must be sexually excited to get an erection. If you take Viagra and are not sexually stimulated, nothing will happen. You won’t get an erection just by taking the pill. Viagra is not an aphrodisiac or hormone.
For most men, the nerves or blood vessels that play a part in this process work properly. For other men, this may not be true. In these cases, the man may not be able to get an erection. Viagra works by increasing blood flow to the penis. This way, when a man is sexually excited, he can get and keep an erection.
Yes, there are side effects as there are with any medication a person takes. Talk to your doctor. Don't be embarrassed. There’s only one way to know for sure any ED drug is right for you. You have to visit your physician. It’s important you see your doctor for a physical exam and a face to face conversation about ED. Don't use an Internet service that offers an online diagnosis and don't take someone else's medication.
It’s important to know that Viagra or other ED medication isn't for everyone. If you use nitrate drugs, often used to control chest pain (also known as angina), don’t take Viagra. Make sure to ask your physician if your heart is healthy enough for sexual activity. Always tell your doctor about any medicines you take, both prescription and nonprescription. A medicine you are taking for another health problem might be causing your ED. Talk with your doctor about the medicines you are taking. And never stop taking any medicine before talking to your physician.
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