VIAGRA has long been the saving grace of those suffering with erectile dysfunction.
But men who don’t necessarily need the little blue pill’s boost have been popping it recreationally, something health experts recommend against.
AlamyPopping Viagra for fun can put you at risk of life-threatening side effects[/caption]
Erection pills containing sildenafil – the active ingredient in Viagra – are only available on the NHS if you have have erectile dysfunction or pulmonary hypertension.
But you can buy them in pharmacies following a consultation, as well as online.
Raevti Bole, a urologist at Cleveland Clinic, has warned that people are being bombarded with ads for erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs like Viagra and Cialis and unbranded pills.
With the glut of erection-boosting drugs online and on social media, some men may get their hands on the pills with the idea of improving their sexual performance, even if they might not medically need them.
They might be looking to counteract the effects of booze or drugs, which can make it harder to get it up.
Some men just want to go at it for longer, have multiple sex sessions or simply boost their confidence.
Others are even using the drugs outside of the bedroom, to improve their stamina in the gym.
But Dr Bole warned that popping ED pills for fun can come with significant risks.
He said if you can get an erection at all, one that’s good enough to allow penetration, you most likely don’t have ED, and you probably don’t need drugs, as reported by the New York Post.
It comes after demand for the little blue pills hit record highs in the UK at the end of last year.
Meanwhile, it’s been suggested that ED drugs could boost people’s health outside of the bedroom – from shrinking cancerous tumours to reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s and easing altitude sickness.
French scientists even claimed sildenafil could help you live longer.
From hours-long erections to life-threatening reactions, here’s why you shouldn’t take Viagra and other ED pills if you don’t need them.
1. They can interact dangerously with other drugs
Viagra, Cialis and their generic equivalents are what are known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors.
According to Dr Bole, these kinds of drugs can lower your blood pressure – so if you’re also taking other medicines that do the same thing, it could be life-threatening.
Even if you’re not getting ED pills through your doctor, the urologist recommended your talk to them first before taking them as you never know how they’re going to interact with your meds.
Don’t forget to mention any supplements or recreational drugs you might be using.
Common drugs that people might not know are dangerous when combined with Viagra, include “poppers” – which are frequently used during sex – chest pain medication glyceryl trinitrate and certain blood pressure pills.
2. You could be left with painfully-long erections
According to the NHS, more than one in 100 people will have side effects from taking sildenafil.
They include:
Headaches
Feeling sick
Hot flushes
Indigestion
A stuffy nose
Feeling dizzy
You’re less likely to get side effects from the pills if you pop them for erection problems, as you’re only taking it for a short time.
But you might experience them if you’re taking sildenafil more regularly, for example for pulmonary hypertension.
In rare cases, you might suffer a side effect called priapism – a prolonged or sometimes painful erection, that can last hours and could permanently damage your penis.
“Luckily, it is quite rare when using oral ED medications,” Dr Bole said.
“But if this happens to you, seek emergency medical care immediately.”
Only one in 1,000 people experience serious side effects, according to the NHS.
You should go to A&E if your erection lasts for more than three hours.
3. You might not be able to have sex without them
If you routinely take a little blue pill before sex, you might start to worry you won’t be able to perform in bed without one, becoming psychologically dependent.
Dr Bole said: “If you are having severe performance anxiety that’s affecting your erections, I recommend talking to your healthcare provider or a sex therapist.”
“A medical professional can discuss your worries about sex; help you set personalized and realistic expectations; and develop strategies to improve your confidence without relying on medication alone.”
4. You don’t know what the drugs may contain
If you’re buying your pill through an online pharmacy or a social media add, you can’t always trust the supplier.
The NHS advises you be careful when buying sidenafil over the internet as many websites sell fake medicines.
Online medicines aren’t always regulated and the ingredients in them can vary from one pack to another.
They can cause unpleasant side effects or may not be suitable for you.
It’s best to see your doctor before buying medicines online, as they know your medical history and can inform you of any risks.
But if you choose to buy sildenafil over the internet, make sure:
Any online pharmacy is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
Any online doctor service is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC)
All doctors are registered with the General Medical Council (GMC)
How does Viagra work?
SIDENAFIL – the main ingredient in Viagra – belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors.
It works if you have erection problems by temporarily increasing blood flow to your penis when you get sexually excited.
It also works in pulmonary hypertension by relaxing blood vessels in your chest.
This increases the blood supply to your lungs and reduces the workload of your heart.
Men over 18 can take the pills for ED and most adults and children aged over one can take sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension.
Sildenafil is not suitable for some people.
To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking sildenafil if you:
Have ever had an allergic reaction to sildenafil or any other medicine
Are taking medicines called nitrates for chest pain (angina)
Have a serious heart or liver problem
Have recently had a stroke, heart attack or a heart problem – your doctor should carefully check whether your heart can take the additional strain of having sex
Have low blood pressure (hypotension)
Have a rare inherited eye disease, such as retinitis pigmentosa
Have sickle cell anaemia (an abnormality of red blood cells), leukaemia (cancer of blood cells) or multiple myeloma (cancer of bone marrow)
Have a deformity of your penis or Peyronie’s disease (curved penis)
Have a stomach ulcer
Have a bleeding problem like haemophilia
Source: NHS
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