Viagra pills and most erection drugs
do not make you horny. The primary purpose of Viagra, or similar drugs like Cialis and Levitra, is to increase blood flow to the penis, which results in harder and longer erections.
The effect of the drug may last from 2 to 4 hours.
How Does Viagra Exactly Work?
To increase the blood flow to the penis, Viagra inhibits PDE5 (PhosphoDiesterase Type 5). PDE5 is an enzyme that breaks down Nitric Oxide (NO) and is commonly found in the skin, nose, and penis. Nitric Oxide is a known vasodilator; it widens blood vessels and allows greater blood flow.
The prevention of NO breakdown and its accumulation lead to increased vasodilation in the penis. In turn, this results to greater and harder erection. However, if the body does not send Nitric Oxide to the penis, erection and the effect of PDE5 inhibition will not happen.
The inhibition of PDA5 takes 30 minutes or more after intake. Even if Viagra does not make you horny, it can make it easier for you to have and sustain an erection. Many Viagra users reported that a simple brush or bump on the penis could start a solid erection.
Factors that Affect Viagra’s Effect
The duration and intensity of Viagra’s effect vary from person to person. Typically, Viagra takes effect after 30 minutes and starts to wear off after two hours. However, these factors may create minor and possibly major changes on its effects:
- Age — the older you are, the slower your metabolism become. The slower your metabolism, the longer Viagra will stay in your system, which means its effects will start later and last longer.
- Diet — the more fat in your body, the longer Viagra will take before it starts taking effect. Also, taking it while you have not eaten anything will make it take effect faster.
- Dosage — the higher the dosage, the longer and more intense the effect will be. Regular dose is 25mg while considered high dose is 100mg. Consult your physician before taking a larger dose.
- Health — liver and kidney problems can slow down your body’s rate to process food and chemicals. The more damaged those two organs are, the longer for the body to eliminate Viagra in your system, which extends its effects.
Impotence, Erectile Dysfunction, and Nerve Damage
Impotence and erectile dysfunction (ED) may have different causes. In most cases, Viagra can assist men with ED to initiate and maintain an erection. However, Viagra will not be as effective to men who have impotence caused by penile nerve damage.
As mentioned a while ago, Viagra inhibits PDE5. It does not help the penis to accumulate Nitric Oxide. If there is a disconnect between the penis and the brain due to nerve damage, the brain cannot tell the body to send NO to the penis.
Other alternatives include penis exercises, pumps, and extenders.
How to Boost Libido?
Instead of relying on Viagra to make you horny, it is best to improve your libido. Primarily, you should keep a checklist and fix the factors that are lowering it in the first place. Here is a checklist for you:
- Psychological — anxiety, stress, depression, and mental disorders greatly lower a person’s libido.
- Medical — obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, and drugs do not only reduce one’s libido but can also cause erectile dysfunction.
- Hormonal — testosterone directly affects an individual’s sex drive. Testosterone levels decline as people age. Drugs and certain chronic diseases can also degrade it.
