Science Speaks: Does Viagra Really Work for Everyone?

Viagra (sildenafil) is a favorite go-to for curing erectile dysfunction (ED), but the extent to which it works can vary from individual to individual.  Coming to grips with what determines its success, how lifestyle and health come into play, and knowing what to do if things do not work out can really inform you in making intelligent decisions about ED management.

What Determines How Well Viagra Works for ED

The efficiency of this medication might be influenced by different factors, both physiological and behavioral:

• For optimal effects, it is good to take this medicine between 30 to 60 minutes before having sex.  
• Taking it on an empty stomach can facilitate absorption as eating a large or greasy meal may delay it or reduce how effectively it works.
• Just a reminder: Viagra alone won’t provide an erection; you’ll still need to have some sexual stimulation for it to occur.  Sexual arousal is necessary in order for the drug to be of value.
• When it comes to dosing, clinical trials indicate that increased doses, such as a maximum of 100 mg, work better. But it’s actually very important to determine the correct dose with your doctor because they’ll consider your personal needs and how you can tolerate it.
• Health Problems: Conditions such as diabetes, heart issues, and nerve damage can impact the efficacy of this medicine.  So, for example, men who have diabetes or have undergone prostate surgery may experience lower response rates than in the general population.

Hello! Just a quick mention, some medications, particularly nitrates that treat heart conditions, can seriously interfere with it. They may render it less effective or even cause some side effects. So, it’s best to know about that!

How Lifestyle and Health Conditions Affect Viagra’s Effectiveness

Lifestyle and your general health do matter a great deal when it comes to ED and how effective Viagra is for you.

Long-term conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis can really disrupt blood flow and nerve function. This can complicate treating Erectile Dysfunction and may even reduce how effective this medicine is.

Smoking and obesity can literally get in the way of your vascular health, and that’s a huge reason for erectile dysfunction.  Doing some diet changes, regular exercise, and breaking the smoking habit can literally enhance your natural erectile abilities and make drugs like this work even more effectively.

Mental health is also a significant factor here. Stress, anxiety, and depression can actually be the main causes of ED. Here, managing mental health with medication tends to have a better response.

Excessive consumption of alcohol or party drugs can actually have a negative effect on it and make it harder to perform sexually.

Studies on How Well Viagra Works in Different Groups

There is a tremendous amount of research available that indicates it is effective for a large number of men suffering with ED:

• In a summary of 27 trials involving over 6,600 men, it was found that 83% of Viagra users had at least one successful attempt at intercourse during the course of the treatment, while just 45% of those on a placebo could claim the same.  Which means that the average intercourse attempt success rate was 57% for Viagra users, while only 21% were successful for those on a placebo.
• So, here’s the deal with the dose response: the effectiveness goes up with the dose. About 63% of men on 25 mg saw better erections, 74% on 50 mg, and a solid 82% on 100 mg reported improvements. In contrast, only 24% of those on placebo noticed any change.
• Did you know that 57% of men with diabetes-related ED found that this medicine actually improved their erections? Compared to only 10% of patients who took a placebo and noticed any improvement.
•  After prostate surgery, 43% of men had improvement with this medication, versus only 15% who took a placebo.
• So, with spinal cord injury, roughly 83% of men experiencing erectile dysfunction improved a little bit, while only 12% who were taking a placebo did the same.
• So, it appears that 84% of men experiencing psychogenic ED improved a little, while just 26% who were taking a placebo did the same.
• Long-Term Satisfaction: In one study, 91% of the men reported that it worked for them, and nearly 80% wanted to continue using it after approximately a year. 

If Viagra doesn’t work right away, here are some steps you may want to take.

If you don’t see results the first time you try this medication, don’t get discouraged.  It often takes a few tries for a lot of guys to hit the mark.  So, here’s what you can try:

• Give it a Go a Few Times: It’s always best to try this medicine 6 to 8 times, as nerves or improper use can actually alter its effectiveness.
• Ensure you are using it properly: Take the proper dose, at the proper time, and with adequate sexual stimulation.
• Speak to Your Doctor: If it’s not working, your doctor can assist in adjusting the dosage, consider other medications, or search for any additional health issues.

Well, in one study, it turns out 55% of men who initially had difficulty with it succeeded after receiving proper education and guidance on how to take it properly.

Options and What to Do Next for Nonresponders

If Viagra is not working despite trying everything, there are a couple of other options to try:

There are other PDE5 inhibitors available, such as tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra). They function similarly and may work better for some individuals.

Consider hormonal problems: Low testosterone or other hormonal disturbances may be at work with ED.  Hormone therapy may be a viable option in some cases.

If oral medications are not working, there are other treatments to try, such as vacuum erection devices, penile injections, intraurethral suppositories, or even penile implants for men.

When erectile dysfunction has a strong psychological component, therapy or counseling can make a big difference, particularly when combined with medication.

If traditional treatments aren’t working, a urologist or men’s health expert can come in with new diagnostics and customized treatment programs just for you.

In conclusion

Viagra has proven to be an effective treatment for many men suffering from erectile dysfunction. It seems to perform significantly better than a placebo regardless of the various backgrounds or etiologies for ED. How effectively it performs largely depends on how you apply it, your general well-being, and your lifestyle.  If it doesn’t work immediately, adjusting the way you apply it, having a medical check-up, or attempting other therapies can often make a difference. A conversation with a healthcare professional is the ideal method of safely and efficiently treating ED.