Sildenafil citrate — known by the brand name Viagra — is an erectile dysfunction medication originally developed by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, in 1989, to treat patients suffering from hypertension (high blood pressure) and angina pectoris (a form of ischaemic cardiovascular disease).

We all know the basics of what Viagra is: a little blue pill used to treat male erectile dysfunction. But unsurprisingly impotence isn’t really a topic that comes up in conversation much, so that’s where our knowledge on the subject comes to an end.

Where can you buy Viagra from nowadays? Can women take the drug too? How long will an erection last? There are so many unanswered questions that us women (and quite a lot of men) are dying to know, but often avoid looking into in case someone takes a peek at our Google search histories.

All that we can tell for sure is that judging by the millions of pounds that its invention has generated – the number of prescriptions rising by more than a quarter in the past year – that little blue pill must be capable of an awful lot.

1) Why do people use Viagra?

Viagra is typically used to treat erectile dysfunction – the well-known and common condition affecting around 50% of men aged 40-70 years old. Erectile dysfunction occurs when not enough blood flows to the penis, preventing an erection and therefore, hindering sexual activity, an issue that effects millions of men across the world. Sildenafil, or as we know it: Viagra, relaxes a man’s muscles and increases blood flow to particular areas of the body, helping him get and keep an erection when he is sexually stimulated.

2) Who uses Viagra?

As Viagra treats erectile dysfunction – its most common users are aged 40-70 years old, but Viagra use is on the rise among young British men with plenty using the drug – either for treatment, fun or to allow them to engage in sexual activity after having a few drinks – something that can dramatically minimize chances of an erection. In fact in a recent survey one in five men aged 18-30 years old admitted to taking Viagra, often without telling their partner.

3) Can women take Viagra?

This is a hotly debated topic, with some theorizing that since Viagra enhances sexual arousal in men, it could have a similar effect on women, increasing the blood flow to the female genitals and enhancing arousal, sensation and lubrication. A ‘female Viagra’ libido pill named Addyi was released last year, later approved by the FDA. It has however been accused of having only marginal benefits and with the potential side effects of nausea, dizziness and fainting, it really isn’t worth the risk.

4) Where can you get Viagra?

Viagra is a prescription-only medication, stocked in pharmacies and available to buy online doctor from Superdrug and Lloyds Pharmacy. Like all drugs people do find other ways of obtaining them without a medical note, but that is of course highly inadvisable – there are a lot of ‘fakes’ out there that are not only dangerous but also unreliable.

5) How much does Viagra cost?

Prices vary depending on tablet size, with 25mg, 50mg and 100mg available. But on average a standard 50mg Viagra tablet costs a fiver, with packs of four selling online starting at £20.

6) How long does Viagra take to kick in?

As a general rule, Viagra tends to start working after 30 minutes. To ensure optimum results users are encouraged to take the pill an hour before sexual activity – but doctors have advised that the drug works better on an empty stomach, so if you’ve eaten a particularly fatty meal, the drug might take longer to take effect.

7) Does Viagra actually work?

Viagra may not be right for every man but on the whole, the drug offers a strong success rate. Superdrug revealed that according to a recent study, two out of three men who experienced erectile problems reported that taking a PDE-5 inhibitor like Viagra improved their erection.

8) What are the side effects?

The most common side effects of Viagra are headaches, abnormal vision, muscle pain, nausea, dizziness, stomach upsets and flushing – let’s be honest these sound pretty bad already and we haven’t even got to the serious side effects yet. These are rarely reported but definitely worth knowing about: sudden vision loss, sudden hearing loss and priapism – an erection that won’t go away, lasting for hours which unless treated immediately can cause permanent damage to the penis.

HOW TO USE VIAGRA

• Visit Your Doctor – The first step to using Viagra is to speak to your doctor. He’ll need to diagnose your erectile dysfunction. Sometimes, erectile dysfunction has causes that can be treated with therapy. There also may be underlying health concerns your medical professional needs to take into consideration.
• Read the Patient Information – Although we trust physicians with our medical care, your health is ultimately your responsibility. Take the time to read the leaflet provided by the pharmacist, about Viagra, before taking it. If you have any questions, be sure to talk to your doctor or the pharmacist.
• Take as Directed by Your Doctor – Again, always defer to your doctor’s instructions when taking Viagra, as there may be other conditions affecting your specific usage. For many men, Viagra is taken at least 30 minutes prior to sex, but not more than four hours before intercourse. One hour before sex is usually the most effective.

Are there any side effects?

Like any medications, there are possible side effects that you should be aware of.Talk to your doctor beforehand about possible side effects.

Some rare side effects of Viagra include a prolonged erection that doesn’t go away, sudden vision loss, heart attack symptoms or hearing loss. If you experience any of these side effects, it’s considered a medical emergency and you need to seek medical assistance right away.

Do not take Viagra if you don’t have erectile dysfunction because this could cause you to become dependent on it and not be able to get an erection without it.

When can I start taking Viagra?

Before you start taking Viagra, it is essential that you talk to your doctor. Tell them about any medications you are taking, any medical conditions you may have and your medical history. You should also check to make sure you aren’t allergic to any of the substances found in Viagra. Doing this is important so that you can make sure that Viagra is safe for you to take.

Your doctor will also advise how often you can take Viagra safely.

The 10 secrets of a lasting longterm relationship.

John was skeptical. “What if I take this and things never work without the pill again?” he asked. I pointed out that the label of a leading brand, Viagra, does not list physical dependence as a side effect (although it does mention headaches and an upset stomach). True to promise, when John used Viagra, everything was perfectly fine. But to my chagrin, it was perfectly fine a lot.

And therein lies a problem I wonder whether the makers of Viagra and its pharmaceutical cousins Levitra and Cialis foresaw. While men of a certain age are undoubtedly thrilled to have their sexual potency restored, maybe their wives’ enthusiasm is a bit more subdued?

What at first glance seems an obvious win-win situation for both husbands and wives can have a raft of unintended consequences. Don’t get me wrong: Viagra is a wonder drug. Since the early ’90s, when researchers testing a new heart medication called Sildenafil discovered that it had a startling side effect in men, erectile dysfunction drugs have become more than a billion-dollar industry.

One study conducted by Express Scripts, a pharmacy benefit management company, found that nearly 20% of all American men over age 45 have tried them. And since, according to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 5 percent of 40-year-old men and from 15 to 25 percent of 65-year-old men experience ED (for reasons ranging from narrowing of the blood vessels with age to high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and neurological problems), these drugs have been a godsend to millions.

ED drugs can also, indirectly, be lifesavers. Thirty-four to 70 percent of all men who take antidepressants experience sexual dysfunction as a side effect, and of those who have this problem, almost 90 percent stop taking the antidepressants so their sex lives can go back to normal.

Frenqauntaly Asked Quetion

Q: How do the pills work?

• A: Viagra was originally designed as an anti-angina medication, due to the fact that it opens up the arteries and increases blood flow to the heart. During tests, researchers noticed that the medication also increased blood flow to other parts of the body, including the penis.

Q: Is Viagra the only pill available to treat erectile dysfunction (ED)?

• A: No, there are a number of medications you can take: Viagra (also sold in its generic, much cheaper form Sildenafil), Cialis (Tadalafil), Levitra (Vardenafil) and Spedra (Avanafil). These are all prescription only medicines.

Q: How do these medications differ from one other?

• A: Viagra and Levitra typically take 60 minutes before they work, and the effects may last up to eight hours. Cialis usually takes 30 minutes to work and can last up to 36 hours. Spedra is fast acting and takes 15 minutes to work. The effects last up to 5 hours. You should only take one pill in any 24-hour period.

Q: How can I ensure that when I take the medication, it is as effective as possible?

• A: To maximise efficacy, before taking this prescription medication you should avoid heavy meals and alcohol.

Q: What happens if I take the medication but then don’t have sex?

• A: The pills need sexual stimulation in order for them to work properly. If the pills are not ‘activated’ they do not cause an erection.

Q: Is the medication still used to treat heart disease?

• A: While Viagra is safe to take for people with angina, it may well be a moot point as sexual activity may not be advised if you have heart disease.

Q: What are the effects of Viagra on women?

• A: There is research currently underway to better understand the effects of the drug on women but, at present, it is only licensed for use in men. Practically speaking, the medication also works to increase the blood flow to the clitoris in women, but it doesn’t help to create desire or boost sexual arousal, which is often the key barrier with female sexual dysfunction.

Q: What are the side effects of taking Viagra

• A: The main side effects are a stuffy nose, hot flushes and headaches. Some men report a blue visual disturbance on taking the medication, but this often settles down relatively quickly.

Q: The pill doesn’t work for me, what other ED treatments are available?

• A: Many men know about the pills they can take, but there are also other options including a cream (Vitaros), which can be applied directly to the hole, little pellets inserted into the hole (Muse) and injections (Caverject or Viridal) which can be administered directly to the penis. These options may sound less appealing but they actually work very well. Often men suffering with erectile dysfunction lose their nerve and get stuck in a spiral of fear of failure. These treatments can provide the necessary kick-start they need to get everything going again.

Q: Will taking ED medication make me want to have more sex?

• A: ED medication does not boost your sex drive. However, if your symptoms are driven by stress or other psychological issues, knowing that you are physically able to respond to your partner can greatly improve any negative feelings you may have towards sex.

Q: If you do not suffer from ED, what effect will taking the medication have?

• A: People who do not suffer from ED but who choose to routinely take ED medication for recreational purposes, can find themselves in a situation where they become dependent on the medication to get an erection, causing ED.