Viagra® (Sildenafil) 101: How It Works, Effectiveness and Side Effects

So what is with this mighty little blue pill and why is it so synonymous with erectile dysfunction treatment? What's the difference between Viagra and generic Viagra? Is it true that Viagra can give you a boner that lasts for 4 hours?

In the article, we'll be explaining how Viagra treats ED, the potential side effects, and debunk some myths about Viagra. 

What Is Viagra?

Pfizer first discovered Viagra in 1989 while developing treatments for angina (chest pain caused by a lack of oxygen-rich blood to the heart) and hypertension. During clinical trials, they found that Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, unexpectedly caused enhanced erections in male patients.

Since its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998, Viagra has become one of the most prescribed medications worldwide for erectile dysfunction.

How Does Viagra Treat Erectile Dysfunction

The main active ingredient in Viagra is Sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5) inhibitor. PDE5 inhibitors help slow the enzyme phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5) from regulating the chemicals in your blood which can make it more difficult for you to get and maintain an erection.  

By inhibiting and slowing PDE5, Viagra is able to relax the walls of the blood vessels and allows the blood to flow more readily to create and maintain an erection. 

How Effective Is Viagra And How To Take It For Best Results

By slowing down the enzyme PDE5 and increasing blood flow to the penis, Viagra is effective in treating ED. Researchers conducted several clinical studies¹ and found that men who took Viagra saw an increase in their ability to get and maintain an erection for sex.

Across the various studies and experiments conducted, between 43% to 83% of men who consumed Viagra before sex had seen improved rates of erections. 

Here are some ways to help maximise the efficacy of Viagra:  

1. Getting Yourself Into The Mood

Unfortunately Viagra alone will not be able to give you an erection as you need to be sexually aroused to get erect. If you need some ideas to get into the mood to help the Viagra along, you and your partner could try giving each other a sensual massage, engage in roleplay (either with erogenous play or kissing to name a few) or even get it going with some solo pleasure!

2. Be Patient and Give Viagra Some Time To Kick

Viagra does not kick in immediately so don’t expect to take it and get straight to sex right away. Be patient and don’t stress after consuming Viagra as you can take it 4 hours beforehand and it will still be effective. 

3. Keep Meals Before Taking Viagra Light

While Viagra will still work whether you eat or not, if you do want to have a meal beforehand, be sure to keep the meal light. 

Large meals or meals that contain a lot of fat can potentially delay the absorption of Viagra in your body, which in turn could cause it to take longer to come into effect. 

If you did have a big meal beforehand, you might want to wait for a while for it to digest before taking Viagra .  

4. Don’t Drink Booze After Taking Viagra

While a glass or two of wine before sex is fine, anything more than that could dampen the efficacy of Viagra. Drinking moderately or heavily can make it difficult for you to get an erection as both booze and Viagra tablets can lower your blood pressure, which means less blood is able to flow freely into your penis.  

A lower blood pressure could also bring on side effects like headaches, dizziness and lightheadedness which can also make it difficult for you to get hard and dampen the mood. 

5. Foods To Avoid

Besides avoiding food that is high in fat, it is important you refrain from consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice before taking Viagra. This is because grapefruit can impact your body's absorption of Viagra. Grapefruit binds itself and blocks an enzyme in your intestinal tract called Cytochrome P450 (CYP3A4).

When grapefruit blocks CYP3A4, Viagra is more readily absorbed into your bloodstream. This can potentially result in elevated and abnormally high blood levels which can be dangerous. This also prolongs the duration that Viagra stays in your system, increasing the likelihood of you experiencing side effects.

How Long Does Viagra Last For?

Viagra will usually take from 30 to 60 minutes after you consume it to work. It is possible that Viagra might only kick in after 2 hours. 

It is important to note that Viagra alone will not cause you to get an erection, it still requires you to be sexually aroused to get erect. Being comfortable and relaxed will help Viagra kick in quicker. 

Viagra is usually at its most effective for the first 2 to 3 hours before its effects begin to taper off. It is possible for Viagra to last even up to 5 hours or longer, but that will depend on the dosage you take, your body’s metabolism rate and other factors. 

Usually, it is unlikely that Viagra will continue to work immediately after ejaculation as your body isn’t physically prepared to get another erection so soon. 

Potential Side Effects Of Viagra (Sildenafil) 

While taking Viagra is generally safe, here is a list of mild side effects that could occur after taking Viagra: 

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Chest Pains
• Flushing
• Indigestion
• Nasal Congestion

While most of these side effects will subside and go away after a few hours of taking Viagra, they can also be easily remedied at home. 

For headaches, dizziness and flushing, these can be reduced and eased by resting and lying down. Avoiding booze will help ease these side effects and turning down the lights will help with the headaches.

If you do experience indigestion after taking the Viagra tablet, you may want to take it alongside a light meal or snack. Do note that if you do take it with a light meal, Viagra might take a longer time to get absorbed into your body so take that timing into consideration. 

It is also possible that side effects like flushing, headaches, nasal congestion and indigestion could be the result of taking a higher dosage of Viagra. If these side effects become bothersome, it is worth consulting your doctor about lowering the dosage of Viagra. 

It is important that you contact your doctor immediately if you begin to experience the following serious side effects: 

• You experience priapism, the prolonged erection of the penis that lasts more than 4 hours
• The dizziness, nausea or chest pain you experience doesn’t go away after having sex
• You experience a sudden decrease or loss in hearing
• You experience a sudden loss of vision in either one or both eyes

How Do You Know If Viagra Is Starting To Work?

Erection Quality

The most obvious sign that Viagra is working is your ability to achieve and maintain an erection. You should notice that it is easier to get hard and experience an increased firmness.

It is important to remember that Viagra is not a miracle drug, and you will still need to be aroused for the medication to work.

Increased Blood Flow

As mentioned earlier, Viagra works by increasing blood flow to create and maintain an erection. As the medication begins to take effect, you may start to notice flushing or an increase in temperature in your face and upper body. This is a sign of Viagra working.

Heightened Sensitivity

As Viagra improves your blood flow, you may also experience increased sensitivity in your genital region. This heightened sensitivity contributes to a much more enjoyable sexual experience.

Why Isn't Viagra Working For Me?

You Might Be Taking Too Low A Dose

Viagra comes in three different doses: 25mg , 50mg and 100mg.

While most men are prescribed 50 mg of Viagra to start with, the dosage of Viagra that is prescribed by your doctor will depend on your medical history and the medication and supplements you may be taking.  

In a study done in 2013², researchers found that 100mg dose of sildenafil (the main ingredient of Viagra) was more effective at improving erections than a 50mg dosage.

If you find that Viagra doesn't seem to be working for you and you see no improvement to your erections, consider speaking to your doctor about raising the dosage.

Underlying Health Issues Could Be Causing Your ED

Taking the right amount of Viagra at the right time but still not seeing any results? It's possible that your erectile dysfunction is being caused by an underlying health issue which prevents Viagra from being an effective form of treatment.

Health issues that either reduce your sex drive or affect your blood flow can prevent you from getting hard, even with the use of Viagra or other ED medications.

ED can be caused by a host of health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease. Low testosterone levels and other hormonal issues can also affect your sex drive, making it difficult to get hard.

Think you might have an underlying health issue that could be causing your ED? It is recommended that you consult your doctor. It is possible that once the underlying health issue is treated, your ED will improve without the need for Viagra or other ED medications.

Viagra: Myths Vs Facts

So you've heard some good things about the blue little pill that could. It is also possible you might have heard some myths and misconceptions about it too. Let's debunk some of the most common myths about Viagra:

Myth #1: Viagra Increases Your Sex Drive/Libido

False: As mentioned earlier, Viagra by itself will not cause you to get hard. Viagra helps you to get and maintain an erection by stimulating the blood flow to your penis, but still requires you to be sexually aroused first. 

Myth #2: Your Erection Will Last For Hours

Mostly False: Viagra gets you hard by temporarily increasing the blood flow to your penis. The effects of Viagra and your erection will wear off once you have ejaculated. 

However, there is a rare chance that you might experience priapism. Priapism is the prolonged erection that lasts for more than 4 hours and doesn't seem to go away. If this does happen to you, you should contact your doctor immediately.

Myth #3: Viagra Is The Only Way To Treat ED

False: While the blue little pill is an incredibly popular and effective treatment for ED, don't think of it as the only way to treat your ED. 

There are plenty of alternative ED medications that are just as effective, and in some cases, even cheaper than Viagra that you can consider.

Frequently Asked Questions About Viagra 

1. Can Women Take Viagra?

Viagra treats erectile dysfunction by relaxing blood vessels and increasing the blood flow to the penis.

It is believed that a similar approach could be effective for female genitals if women were to take Viagra. By enhancing blood flow to the female genital area, it is thought that Viagra might have the potential to improve lubrication, arousal, sensitivity, and orgasmic function in women.

Unfortunately, there is insufficient evidence to support the idea that Viagra effectively treats female sexual dysfunction. 

2. Does Taking Viagra Thin Your Blood?

Due to Viagra's origins as a cardiovascular medication and its use in treating erectile dysfunction by improving blood flow, it is unsurprising that many might believe Viagra works by thinning the blood.

However, this is a common misconception. Viagra is not an anticoagulant (blood thinner). Instead, Viagra works by inhibiting and slowing down PDE5. By doing so, the blood vessel walls relax, allowing blood to flow more readily

While there are no known interactions between Viagra (Sildenafil) and blood thinners, if you are currently on a blood thinner medication, it is important to speak to your doctor before using Viagra or any other ED medication to avoid any adverse effects. 

3. Is Viagra From Online Stores Safe to Use?

Yes, so long as the online platform you are considering is recognized by the Ministry of Health as a direct telemedicine service provider and you have been prescribed Viagra (or any other ED medication) by a licensed doctor.  

You should avoid sites or listings on e-commerce platforms that claim you can order Viagra or other ED medications online from them without a prescription and at low costs.

These sites (and the medications sold) have not been approved by the Health Science Authority (HSA) in Singapore and are considered as illegal ways to obtain ED medication without a doctor's prescription. 

With Noah, a zero-judgment digital health clinic for men in Singapore, you can get the ED treatment you need from the comfort of home. You won't have to worry about the legitimacy or safety of the ED medications provided as Noah is recognized by the Ministry of Health as a direct telemedicine service provider. 

Getting started couldn't be simpler - just visit our site, answer an online medical evaluation and see a licensed doctor; all without having to leave your home (or even moving from your couch or bed). If prescribed, your ED medication will be discreetly delivered right to your door within 4 hours at no additional cost. 

If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction, it is advisable that you consult a doctor. Here at Noah, our doctors are best equipped with the knowledge to help you ascertain the root cause of your ED and can determine whether generic Viagra is right for you. They will be able to advise you on the best treatment suited for you, and can also prescribe you the right medication should you need it.