ERECTILE dysfunction is so dreaded that some men are even willing to rub explosive gel on their genitals. Viagra remains the most popular remedy, but how does the ‘little blue pill’ actually work?
Viagra has been improving the sex lives of countless couples since it became available in 1998.
The ‘little blue pill’ remains a welcome solution the woes of erectile dysfunction (ED), which plagues millions of men in the UK.
In fact, Viagra is one of many treatments available for ED, and the list continues to grow
The latest to join the ranks is a rub-on gel that contains a dose of the explosive nitroglycerine, to be applied to a man's genitals.
Still in its trial stages, the experimental gel is currently being tested on almost 200 men in the UK to see if it can help spark fireworks in the bedroom.
But Viagra remains the most popular choice for men wanting to be dynaminte in bed.
Yet there is little awareness of how the drug actually works. So what does Viagra do to the human body, and how long can an erection really last?
A study of common erectile dysfunction treatment, slidenafil, by Superdrug found that Viagra reaches its maximum concentration and erection potential in less than an hour.
In fact, the drug is rapidly absorbed after consumption, with ‘first responders’ achieving an erection within the first 12 minutes and the average time within just 27 minutes.
The ‘maximum erection potential’ of Viagra, when the drug reaches its highest concentration in the blood, is 57 minutes. This is why typical recommendations say to take the pill an hour before sexual activity.
When the pill is orally consumed, the cGMP component dilates the blood vessels and allows blood to flow more easily.
While this is happening, the drug stops the function of an enzyme in the penis called PDE5, which reduces blood flow.
The result? Blood is able to flow more freely into the penis, making it easier for men to achieve an erection.
Of course, everyone’s dose of the ‘little blue pill’ is different, with age, general health and other medications influencing its effect.
Food also impacts the human body’s reaction to the drug, as taking Viagra with a meal can increase the time to its maximum concentration and reduce the peak concentration.
As for how long it lasts, According to onlinedoctor.superdrug.com Viagra has a half-life of about four hours, which means that every four hours after taking it, the drug reduces by 50 per cent.
According to the study, men can have erections that last up to 33 minutes within an hour of taking the drug. This window reduces to 16 minutes within 12 hours of Viagra consumption.
While Viagra is a widely accepted treatment for erectile dysfunction, many men still struggle to discuss the health issue openly
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