Viagra is considered as a wonder pill to men who suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is a medical condition that makes it tough to keep your penis erected all through a sexual intercourse. But, what if a woman takes this pill? Read on to know what happens.
Most common problems observed in men are erectile dysfunction and loss of libido or reduced sexual drive. Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is becoming a common medical condition among many men. Men are hence advised to throw away their inhibitions, openly talk about this medical condition and seek needful consultation from experts. Men and their sexual partners also need to know all the basic facts about ED. The other key problem seen among men is sudden loss of libido. It is often triggered by stress. It may also be owing to intake of a few medications, chronic ailments such as diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. Apart from these two, men may also have ejaculation related problems – most common among these is premature ejaculation.
On ED, the common factors causing it can include substance abuse, hypertension, diabetes, leading a stressful life full of anxieties, etc. In some stray cases, an accidental injury in the pelvic area or prostate, penis and bladder has also caused it. Apart from the above, consumption of a few medicines is also known to trigger this condition.
Medical research has identified a very close link between inability to sustain an erection and age of men. In general, erectile dysfunction – a condition observed in nearly 16% men aged between 20 to 75 years – is found to increase as men age. But, not many things can be generalized in case of ED. Nearly 25% of men with ED are found to be in the age group of 40 years and less. In terms of intensity also, younger age patients have reported a condition far more severe than aged men.
How to know you have it?
The best possible way to detect ED is to have a candid meeting with your doctor. Such a meeting – in several ways – starts your diagnosis. Your treating doctor will administer a few tests such as blood tests, urinalysis, scan of the penile region, overnight examination of erection, etc. The penile area scan also reveals the extent of blood flow into the region. On top of all these tests, a mental health test is also performed. Mental wellbeing is as crucial as emotional health – an impairment of emotional wellbeing plays an active role in the incidence of this medical condition.
After detecting the key causes for incidence of ED, your doctor will soon start a treatment plan. The plan includes prescription of medicines such as vardenafil (Levitra), tadalafil (Cialis), sildenafil (Viagra), etc. All these medications aim to improve flow of blood onto your penis.
What if a woman takes Viagra?
When the medication to treat male impotency arrived, women too got very excited. Some of them have been reported to have taken Viagra. A few women continue to do that despite the fact that sexual stimulation works very differently for women. Hence, what works for men need not have to necessarily work for women!
Let us first understand how Viagra works. The drug – as mentioned – enhances the flow of blood to your penile region. Once you have taken the pill, your blood vessels will go onto a relaxation mode. This relaxed or expanded mode of vessels will provide more blood to facial region. In general, the side effects caused in women may just be the same as is caused in men. These include drowsiness (this is because your brain may get lesser supply of blood due to the better flow of blood to all other parts), headache and diarrhea. Also, the woman’s fallopian tubes as well as linings of the uterus get an abundance of oxygen. The outcome of all this is an increased secretion of vaginal fluids (not the fluid secreted during orgasm); these fluids are lubricant solutions produced in the vaginal tract.
Women who have removed their uterus (through a procedure called hysterectomy) and those who have reached menopause are sure to benefit when they intake Viagra.
Intake of Viagra by women who have undergone a hysterectomy
Surgical removal of uterus is called hysterectomy. You may be advised to go for this procedure if you have (1) profuse bleeding from your vagina, (2) prolapse of uterus into the vagina, (3) unbearable pain in pelvis (often for a very long time), (4) cancer in cervix, (5) formation of fibroids, etc. You may also need to opt for it if the walls of your uterus have thickened, uterine tissues have grown out (i.e., way beyond the womb), etc.
There are different forms by which this procedure is done. Common types are radical, subtotal and total hysterectomy. Radical is done when cancer is detected in uterine region; this procedure removes upper portion of vagina, cervix, uterine linings as well as the uterus. Subtotal procedure removes the upper region of your uterus. Total procedure removes the cervix as well as uterus.
So, for women who have their uterus surgically removed, the blood flow to their lower abdominal region becomes limited. The lesser flow of blood is sensed more at the woman’s ovaries. This is one major reason why the odds of menopause are high among those women who have their uterus removed. Intake of Viagra helps provide for an increased supply of oxygen. This supply also helps female sex hormones to become active.
Intake of Viagra by women who have reached menopause
Menopause is a condition wherein menstruation has stopped in a woman for 12 continuous months or more. It leads to her inability to get pregnant in a natural manner. It is common for women to experience this in the age group of 44 to 54 years. However, medical research indicates that it may occur prior or after this range as well. The key symptoms of menopause include excessive sweating in nights, infrequent menstrual cycles as well as flushing accompanied by hot flashes.
You need to remember that viagra can enhance the odds of orgasm among women – mainly among those who have are in the run-up stage of menopause or have already attained menopause. With menopause, women have a uterine region that has limited access to essential nutrients. This is due to the lack of adequate blood flow into the uterine region. But, with the intake of Viagra – the lubricant made in their vagina gets more active. This makes women – those who have reached menopause – to be more ready for an intercourse with their partner.
However, the adverse effects of Viagra – if taken by women – are not fully known. In women who have neither had a hysterectomy nor menopause have a mixed bag of responses. It is sure to give a physical arousal to women. But the drug is – neither in men nor among women – not known to increase sexual desires. In some stray cases though, intake of Viagra has resulted in a satisfactory sexual experience. But, there have been limitations there as well. Satisfactory sexual intercourses had not been repeated every time this wonder pill was popped in.
On top of all these, drug makers do not license it for use by women. This is mainly due to the makers’ inability to arrive at a firm link between women taking the pill and an increase in their sexual pleasures.
Likely drug interactions women need to know
Viagra may interact with CYP3A4 inhibitors, antidepressants, nitrates, alpha-blockers, beta-blockers, drugs used in the treatment of hypertension, etc. It is also known to interact with calcium channel blockers. You are also advised to remember that these drugs – listed above – do not make an exhaustive list. So, it is recommended to consult your doctor for other possible drug interactions.
In general, stay thoughtful of drug interactions before taking any drug. These interactions occur if this drug is consumed with other drugs or specific foods. Inform your doctor about drugs you regularly take and those you are taking now. Inform about non-prescription medications, OTC drugs, health supplements like minerals, vitamins, etc. Also disclose herbal medicines, drinks with caffeine content, alcohol, smoking habits, and if you any restricted / banned / illegal drugs.
Precautions to be observed
It is recommended to avoid taking this medication if you have any known allergies. You are also advised to not take this drug if you are planning to undergo a surgery or a dental procedure; keep away from it if you are suffering from conditions such as pain in your chest, diabetes, cardiac dysfunction, ulcers of peptic nature, liver related disorders, etc. The above list of precautions is not a complete listing. Women are advised to talk to a doctor to understand all likely risks.
The detailed action of Viagra in men is as under: Prime actions of this drug are (a) eases your penile muscles (b) ensures adequate flow of blood to penile areas and (c) maintains erection of penis – for a fairly long time – during sexual activity. It may be noted that this drug may also be used for conditions that are not listed above.
But, once a woman takes Viagra, your blood vessels will get relaxed paving for better flow of blood in your lower abdomen. The side effects this drug causes in women are the same as those caused in men. Among women, their fallopian tubes and uterus’ walls get a better supply of oxygen. This in turn increases the secretion of lubricants in women’s vaginal tract.
This drug can work better for women who have removed their uterus and on those who have already attained menopause. Women who have their uterus surgically removed have a limited blood flow to their uterine region. The lesser flow of blood is sensed more at the ovaries. Intake of Viagra helps provide an increased supply of oxygen. This supply also helps female sex hormones to become active again. On the other hand, women who have reached menopause have a uterine region that has minimal blood flow. But, with the intake of Viagra – the lubricant in their vagina is more active. This makes women – those who have already reached menopause – to become more eager to have an intercourse.
