If you listen to pop culture, you might assume that taking Viagra automatically gives you a long-lasting erection which works at the click of your fingers and solves all erectile dysfunction problems. The truth is a little less clear cut.
While Viagra is proven to have an impact on mens’ erections, it’s essential to know how to use viagra for the best results. Taken incorrectly, you might find the ‘little blue pill’ doesn’t work as fast, as long, or as easily as you might hope, so it’s worth understanding how the drug works, what can affect it and learn about the best way to take Viagra.
Let’s look at how to take Viagra for the best results.
In order to understand the best way to take Viagra, it’s first important to understand exactly how the drug works:
However, just taking Viagra won’t mean that you get an erection. There are a number of factors which will affect how fast the drug works, and whether it kicks in at all.
Like any drug, Viagra can be affected by other physiological – and even psychological – factors. Let’s look at some things which might reduce or affect how Viagra works:
1. You’re not aroused
Viagra will only work if you are actually aroused, so taking it will not immediately lead to an erection. If you have stopped finding that you are aroused, Viagra isn’t a ‘silver bullet’. It’s worth looking at your lifestyle, communicating with your partner and maybe seeking counselling to work out if there is a different issue going on:
2. Consumption of alcohol and illegal drugs
Alcohol has long been associated with erection problems as have some other drugs. Alcohol for instance can affect the amount of blood that goes to your penis, so taking it at the same time as Viagra may reduce the latter’s effectiveness. What’s more, both alcohol and Viagra reduce your blood pressure which can be a problematic combination.
3. You’ve eaten too much fatty foods
Like any other oral drug, the speed at which the body can absorb the active elements in Viagra is affected by other foods that are in your stomach. Fatty foods in particular take a long time for your body to process, and this can slow down the effects of viagra.
4. Medicines which cause erectile dysfunction
Some medicines are linked to erectile dysfunction, including blood pressure pills, some hormone-related prescriptions, some anti-depressants and a range of other medicines. If you are thinking of taking Viagra but are also using another regular medication it’s certainly worth speaking to your doctor to understand whether they may interact.
5. The dose may not be strong enough
Viagra doses range in strength from 25mg to 100mg, although the usual recommended dosage is 50mg. If you’ve been taking a lower dose and not had the results you hoped for, speak to your doctor. Do not self-prescribe by doubling up on dosage until you’ve spoken to a trained medical professional, as there can be negative side-effects of overdosing.
If you have already been prescribed Viagra by your GP, you should always take the drug exactly as they prescribed, in the doses they recommended. However, if for any reason you’re unsure, the following tips explore how to use viagra for the best results:
1. Get in the mood
As noted above, Viagra only works when you are actually feeling aroused. Communicate with your partner that you are thinking of taking Viagra and you can both get prepared for ‘having some fun’ later on. Spend some time together doing an activity you both enjoy and create a romantic, relaxed mood. Perhaps prepare a(light!) meal together, light some candles, share a bath – whatever works for you both. This will ensure you’re both mentally prepared for sex.
It’s also important to take Viagra when you’re confident you’re not going to be interrupted. The best way to take Viagra is to choose a day when you aren’t going to be interrupted by the kids coming home, or when you’re incredibly stressed after a long, tiring day at work. Save it for a weekend when you both have time – even consider taking a mini-break somewhere.
2. Plan ahead
Viagra typically takes between 30-60 minutes to kick in and will then work well for up to four hours (and often much longer). While having a timetable for every single moment is certainly a bit of a mood-killer, it’s smart to remember roughly when you should take the medicine. Once you’ve taken Viagra, there’s no need to rush, take it easy and enjoy being with your partner. Read our article on how fast it takes for Viagra to work for more information.
3. Think about what you’re eating
As noted above, the rate at which Viagra is absorbed into the body will be affected by the food you’ve eaten beforehand. It works most efficiently on an empty stomach, although if you want to eat something first, opt for a light, ‘healthy’ meal. If nothing else, feeling bloated from a large, heavy meal isn’t all that conducive to love-making!
Besides these main tips, some other pointers on how to use Viagra for the best results
include:
If you’ve made the changes above and find that the Viagra still isn’t working, it’s worth
speaking to your doctor again. They may choose to:
While Viagra is normally very effective, there are a range of factors which will prevent the drug from working as intended. By understanding how Viagra works and the best way to take it, you can make more informed decisions about how you take the medication and get the most out of it.
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