When Men Without Erectile Dysfunction Take Viagra, This Is What Happens

You've most likely heard of the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra (sildenafil). This medication, often referred to as "the little blue pill" due to its appearance, is used to increase blood flow to the penis allowing men with this condition to achieve an erection during sexual stimulation.

You may have also wondered if it can do this for men with problems getting hard, what can it do for men with normal function? Could it be used to improve a man's performance even more? Well, despite its almost mythic status as a sexual enhancement drug, experts say it's not a good idea to take Viagra if you aren't diagnosed with a medical problem. Although some may take it without incident, there is always a degree of risk involved if you use it without first getting the go-ahead from a urologist or other healthcare professional (per hims).

One potential consequence of taking Viagra when you don't have erectile dysfunction is that you can experience its side effects. Some of the side effects of taking Viagra can be mild, such as headache, nausea, hot flushes, indigestion, stuffy nose, and dizziness. However, others can be more serious requiring immediate medical care. Rarely, Viagra may cause a sudden decrease or loss of vision. Additionally, it is possible that you could have a seizure. You could also have priapism, which is a painful erection that can last for hours and may cause long-term damage to your penis. Another potential issue is chest pain. It is also possible that you could have a severe allergic reaction if you are allergic to sildenafil (per NHS).

Drugs.com further explains that there are 337 drugs known to interact with Viagra. If you are using Viagra without your doctor's knowledge, you could potentially experience one of these drug interactions, putting yourself in harm's way. For example, if you are using blood pressure medications like furosemide, losartan, or lisinopril, you could experience a dangerous drop in your blood pressure.

GoodRx Health additionally points out the dangers of purchasing Viagra without a prescription through illegitimate pharmacies. Pills obtained in this way could be contaminated or contain the wrong dosage of medication, putting your health at risk.

So, what can you do to safely give your sex life a boost? According to Iowa Healthcare, the best medicine for your sexual functioning may be simply living a healthy lifestyle.

They further explain that healthy blood flow is the key to getting and maintaining a good erection. Nitric oxide is the molecule that makes this possible by dilating and relaxing your blood vessels so blood can flow into the penis. Taking steps like eating a healthy diet, exercising, watching your weight, keeping stress down, moderating your alcohol intake, and not smoking can all help your body make more nitric oxide.

Medical News Today says that research also supports the use of certain supplements to help with erections. These include L-arginine, propionyl-L-carnitine, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), ginkgo biloba, ginseng, yohimbine, and horny goat weed.

It's also important to note that even if you can't get an erection this doesn't necessarily mean your sex life is over. Experts say it is possible to orgasm even without an erection.