Impotence among males can be due to conditions such as erectile dysfunction (ED) and / or premature ejaculation i.e., early discharge of semen. These conditions are slowly (but steadily) becoming common ailments that afflict millions of men. Some secondary research estimates claim that more than 21.5 million males – living in the US – may be living with these sexual disorders. It is also becoming common knowledge that men of any age can get a sexual disorder. Drugs such as Viagra (sildenafil citrate) and in general, those belonging to a genre called PDE-5 inhibiting type are widely used by men. But, can women take Viagra? It is good to know more on this front.
An erect (and stiffened) penis is one of the basic necessities to maximise your sexual pleasure. However, some men – owing to many reasons – may find it difficult to have their penis firm and erect. Though, a limp / flaccid penis can show up among men of any age, older men – those above 50 years – stand at a higher risk of getting conditions such as erectile dysfunction and / or premature ejaculation.
This sexual dysfunction makes your penis stay limp while you attempt to engage in a sexual act. If you decide to leave it untreated, you are at an added risk of developing a few other problems. For instance, men with untreated conditions like ED may discharge semen quite soon into the sexual act. Men may also ejaculate in a delayed fashion, i.e., very long after the sexual intercourse is over. Late discharge of semen is considered as much a sexual problem as early ejaculation among men.
Viagra (sildenafil citrate) pills – Mode of action of these tablets on men
Drugs are widely prescribed and consumed for treating penile dysfunction like ED. A commonly administered drug in this light is Viagra – which contains an active chemical called sildenafil citrate. However, apart from the above – many other branded equivalents are increasingly made available to men. These meds are often claimed as the men’s wonder pills as they enable an erect and hard penis while males have sex.
Key items present in Viagra (sildenafil citrate) assist in relaxing your arteries. Once relaxed, this action paves way to an added supply of blood to penile parts. As a result, your penis enlarged in size and eventually leads to an erection. The caveat is: you need to be sexually excited or aroused to make the key ingredients to work. Men stand to get aroused or sexually excited when they think of having sex or when they come in physical proximity to their sexual partner(s).
But, can women take Viagra?
Viagra has the needful approval of the US-based drug approving body – food and drug administration (FDA), for the treatment of sexual dysfunction in men. However, in some one-off instances, this drug is prescribed for use by women, through an off-label form. There is no substantial evidence on the efficacy of Viagra to treat sexual dysfunction in women. Viagra has firmly established itself as a drug for enhancing sexual performance and is never used for triggering arousal or sexual excitement.
Clinical trials done on women are fairly small both in terms of scope and size of samples. The results obtained from such trials are not consistent in general. Among women, active substances present in Viagra may enhance the flow of blood into your clitoris. As an added benefit, your labia (forming part of vagina) can raise the lubricating potential and also increase the sensitivity level. This med may improve the sexual satisfaction index of women who have reached menopause.
Viagra is known to cause a few side effects. If you notice adverse effects such as nausea, blurring of eyesight, migraines, etc., talk to your treating doctor without delay. Last but not the least, safety of Viagra on pregnant and breastfeeding women is not adequately studied. Hence, it is essential to check with your treating doctor about possible risks and needful safety precautions.
Education: Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from the University of Michigan. Experience: Over 8 years of experience writing for health and wellness websites, including WebMD and Healthline, specializing in women’s health and nutrition.
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