Viagra: An Aphrodisiac?

VIAGRA®, an oral therapy for erectile dysfunction (ED), is the citrate salt of sildenafil, a selective inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) - specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5).

Got that?

Sildenafil, now marketed by Pfizer as Viagra®, was originally tested as a heart drug with miserable results, but appears to be a drug potentially useful as a male aphrodisiac. After approval by the US Food and Drug Administration it was released in the U.S. on 27 March 1998 and within two months over one million prescriptions had been issued.

Viagra® is the #1 prescribed treatment for erectile dysfunction. In the United States, nearly 10 million men have reclaimed their sex life by taking Viagra®. Doctors in the United States have prescribed Viagra® more than 39 million times.

It is now available in the countries of the European Union, although only Sweden is prepared to let the costs be covered by the medical insurance programme. However, a doctor's prescription is required. The French restaurant serving a Viagra® sauce to eager couples had to stop offering this dish. (It was at the restaurant in the Hotel Renovation in Thonon-les-Bains that Jean-Louis Galland served beef in a sauce of caramel, figs, spices and Viagra®.)

The active ingredient works by inhibiting an unhelpful enzyme system, which could prevent erection when a male is subjected to sexual stimuli. Taken one to two hours beforehand, it will for many males facilitate action if the right circumstances arise, without giving rise to a potentially useless erection as might be the case with drug injections into the penis.

In scientific lingo, sildenafil inhibits cyclic GMP-specific phosphodiesterase. By preventing the breakdown of GMP it will promote the availability of nitric oxide, NO, a signal substance that causes relaxation of the smooth muscle in the penis and subsequent erection.

And. . . in plain language: Viagra® enables many men with ED (erectile dysfunction) to respond to sexual stimulation. When a man is sexually aroused, the arteries in the penis relax and widen, allowing more blood to flow into the penis. As the arteries in the penis expand and harden, the veins that normally carry blood away from the penis become compressed, restricting the blood flow out of the penis. With more blood flowing in and less flowing out, the penis enlarges, resulting in an erection.

If the nerves or blood vessels associated with this process aren't working properly, a man may not be able to get an erection. Viagra® increases blood flow to the penis, so that when a man is sexually aroused, he can get and keep an erection. When the sexual encounter is over, the erection goes away.

The drug has shown great promise in clinical tests. In one study of 351 impotent men a success rate of 89% was achieved for those receiving the highest dose, 50 milligrams per occasion. Altogether of the 21 clinical studies that had been made as of May, 1998, the average success rate was 70%.

It should be emphasised that it is not sufficient just to take the pill to get an enduring erection; a combination with some kind of erotic stimulus is required. 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 a hormone. It is not an aphrodisiac. It's a prescription medication that can improve the erectile function of most men with erection problems.

There are side effects in about 10% of the cases. The following is a listing of the most common side effects:

• Headache
• Flushing
• Upset stomach
• Stuffy nose
• Urinary tract infection
• Visual changes such as mild and temporary changes in blue/green colors or increased sensitivity to light.
• Diarrhea

The most worrying side effect appears to be "blue vision", reported in a limited number of cases. Eye specialists suggest more studies are needed before Viagra® can get a clean bill of health from the ophtalmological point of view.

NOTE - If you suffer from heart disease, you may have been steering clear of Viagra®. But a troubled ticker is not necessarily reason to say so long to sex. In an early study, 23 men with moderate or severre congestive heart failure were given Viagra® or a placebo, and then a treadmill stress test. The drug caused no harmful effects, and even improved exercise capacity. Ask your doctor: anyone taking nitrate-based medications should never use Viagra®.

Although primarily considered a drug to help men, it is quite likely Viagra® can work also for women. Studies are underway. Viagra® increases the blood flow, and an increased blood flow through clitoris should enhance its sensitivity and thus facilitate for the woman to reach orgasm.

Think you're too young for Viagra®? Do you figure, "It only happens once in a while, so I'll just live with it?" Then nothing's going to change, especially your sex life.

Erection difficulties, such as erectile dysfunction (ED), are a health condition. ED can be caused by many common factors, including smoking, stress, and high blood pressure. In fact, 1 out of 3 men of all ages have ED to some degree. Fortunately, Viagra® can help men both get and keep an erection. Which is why more than 9,000,000 men have turned to Viagra® to treat their ED.

Many people have the very same questions about Viagra® (and erectile dysfunction) whether they've used it already or are just considering it. Here is where you can find answers: About Viagra.

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Copyright © 2002 - Larry James. Reprinted with permission. - This article is adapted from Larry's books, "How to Really Love the One You're With: Affirmative Guidelines for a Healthy Love Relationship," "LoveNotes for Lovers: Words That Make Music for Two Hearts Dancing" and "Red Hot LoveNotes for Lovers." Author Larry James presents seminars nationally for singles and couples. Subscribe to Larry's FREE monthly "LoveNotes for Lovers" eZINE. Contact: CelebrateIntimacy.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. LarryJames@CelebrateIntimacy.com - CelebrateIntimacy.com