Sildenafil is an oral medication and a common drug for men. It belongs to the phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors, which relax blood vessel walls, increase blood circulation to alleviate medical conditions, and also improve male sexual health, making it highly popular among men.
As a drug for treating male erectile dysfunction (ED), sildenafil has become increasingly popular in the market. However, the relationship between taking sildenafil and its effects on health and longevity has been a subject of controversy. Let’s delve into it.
Regular use of sildenafil: Beneficial or Harmful to Health? Remember these 5 key points for your benefit.
1. Main functions and side effects of sildenafil:
Sildenafil is commonly used to treat male ED by increasing blood circulation and aiding men in achieving a normal sexual life.
However, sildenafil may also cause certain side effects such as headaches, facial flushing, nasal congestion, indigestion, and in some cases, vision problems like blurred vision and visual color changes. In rare instances, using sildenafil may lead to severe side effects like cardiovascular issues and vision loss. Therefore, prior consultation with a doctor is recommended before using sildenafil, especially for individuals with underlying cardiovascular conditions or those taking other medications. Note that sildenafil is available by prescription only and should not be purchased or misused without proper medical guidance.
2. Harmful effects on health:
Despite being widely used, sildenafil still has certain impacts and potential side effects on health.
Extended or inappropriate use of sildenafil may have negative effects on health. Potential risks of using sildenafil include cardiovascular issues due to its vasodilatory effects, affecting the heart and blood pressure. Patients with heart conditions, high blood pressure, or those undergoing nitrate therapy should exercise caution when using sildenafil.
3. “Longevity” effects of sildenafil:
Some believe that sildenafil can prolong life as it was initially developed as a treatment for cardiovascular diseases by enhancing blood flow and preventing conditions like atherosclerosis.
Cardiovascular diseases have high mortality rates, leading some to speculate that using sildenafil could “prolong” life. However, there’s insufficient evidence to directly link sildenafil to human longevity. Additionally, individual responses to sildenafil vary, so personalized medical advice should be sought before use.
4. Individual considerations for choosing sildenafil:
As a prescription drug, a doctor will assess your health condition and potential risks to determine if sildenafil is suitable for you.
For some individuals, sildenafil may not be the best choice, especially if they have heart conditions, high blood pressure, severe liver or kidney problems, or are taking specific medications (such as nitrates) that may interact adversely with sildenafil.
Ultimately, the decision to use sildenafil should be based on individual health status and medical advice.
5. Proper usage recommendations for sildenafil:
Sildenafil should be taken approximately 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual activity. The timing of administration may vary before or after meals, so follow your doctor’s specific instructions.
Additionally, be mindful of interactions with sildenafil and inform your doctor of any other medications you’re using, especially those containing organic nitrates like nitroglycerin. Concurrent use of these medications with sildenafil may lead to severe blood pressure drops. Lastly, if you experience any serious side effects or adverse reactions while using sildenafil, discontinue use immediately and seek medical assistance promptly.
Besides sildenafil, what other medications can improve male erectile dysfunction (ED)?
Tadalafil (Cialis): Similar to sildenafil, used to treat ED by increasing blood flow and promoting erection. Apomorphine (Uprima): A medication for ED that stimulates dopamine receptors in the brain to enhance sexual response. Vardenafil (Levitra): Similar to sildenafil and tadalafil, improves blood flow to the penis to enhance erectile function.
Avanafil (Stendra): Another medication for ED that increases blood flow under sexual stimulation for normal sexual activity.
