Erectile dysfunction, also known as ED or impotence, is a medical condition that is thought to affect more than 3 million men in the South Africa; it is believe that over half of all men over the age of 40 years suffer from some sort of erectile dysfunction.  This can range from intermittent, meaning that symptoms occur every so often, to chronic, meaning that symptoms occur consistently.

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About erectile dysfunction

So what is it?  Erectile dysfunction is the inability to either get an erection or the inability to keep an erection long enough to partake in sexual activities.  It occurs because there is something that is either keeping blood flow from reaching the penis or there is some reason that blood flow is not staying in the penis.  In any case, the inability to obtain and/or keep an erection to partake in sexual activity is embarrassing. There are thought to be a variety of different causes of ED; the most common causes of erectile dysfunction are thought to be related to something physical.  Physical causes of ED may be the result of illness or disease, the result of injury to the penis or spinal cord, or even the result of medications taken for other conditions.  In some instances, depression results and can make the inability to get or keep an erection more difficult.  Examples of some of the physical conditions that can cause erectile dysfunction include:  diabetes, hypertension (or high blood pressure), heart disease, high cholesterol, obesity, treatment for prostate cancer, and spinal cord injuries.  For those with diabetes, unregulated blood sugars can lead to nerve damage which can affect the penis.  Patients with high blood pressure, the resulting strain on the heart and subsequent hardening of the veins can make it difficult in getting blood to the penis; additionally, some medications that are used to treat high blood pressure can lead to the inability to get or keep an erection.  Heart disease patients, patients with high cholesterol, and those who are obese can all have an overall narrowing or clogging of the blood vessels leading to erectile dysfunction. There is a medication available however to help healthy men who have been cleared by their physician to partake in sexual activities; that medication is sildenafil, commonly known as Viagra.

About Viagra

Viagra is an oral medication, meaning it is a pill or capsule taken by mouth and swallowed.  It is available through a prescription from your medical insurance and in many cases covered through health insurance medication plans.  Viagra works be ensuring that enough blood gets to the penis through sexual stimulation to not only get an erection but also to maintain an erection long enough for sexual intercourse. It should be taken only once a day.  Your doctor will not only decide if you are healthy enough to partake in sex but also what dose will be effective for you.  Most men find 50mg to be effective; however, doses as low as 25mg and as high as 100mg have been prescribed.  Again, it will be up to your doctor, with input by you, to decide what dose is best tolerated and most effective for your degree of erectile dysfunction.  In general, Viagra takes 30-60 minutes to take effect.

Once it has started working, your erection should last for about four hours.  If your erection lasts longer than four hours, you should seek medical assistance immediately. Obviously Viagra may not be appropriate for everyone; it is extremely important that you speak to your doctor and inform them of not only your entire medical history but also all medications, both prescribed and any herbal or complementary medications, which are being taken.  This allows your physician to make the most informed decision and will help to keep you safe.  Some of the medical conditions and medications to inform your doctor about include: taking nitrates for blood pressure or taking medications for pulmonary hypertension.

Side effects

As with any medication, Viagra is not without side effects; though the side effects occur rarely, it is still important to seek medical attention immediately if any of the following occur: an erection lasting for longer than four hours, as stated above; sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes; a sudden decrease or loss of hearing or if ringing in the ears occurs.  It is imperative that you seek medical attention immediately if you develop any chest pain, dizziness, or nausea during sex after taking Viagra.  Do not take Viagra if you are allergic to sildenafil, the main ingredient, or any other component of Viagra.