Viagra (sildenafil) and other similar products (Levitra and Cialis) are in the class of drugs known as phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5) inhibitors. When sildenafil failed to qualify as a product in the antihypertensive market, penile erection, one of its side effects, was used as an opportunity to market it as something that was never before offered, for a condition never medicinally treated before. Suddenly, impotence became a dysfunction called erectile dysfunction and dysfunction meant a medical abnormality that warranted treatment.
The biochemistry
Nitric oxide (NO) widens blood vessels, thereby increasing circulation, and also inhibits the breakdown of a cyclic guanosine monophosphate (CGM), which controls nitric oxide’s role in vasodilation, by phosphodiesterase. By inhibiting the breakdown of the controlling CGM phosphate, the nitric oxide can continue to vasodilate.
Viagra, a PDE5 inhibitor, took the market by storm when it was first made available. Because it was a drug that dealt with matters of sexuality, Viagra and the PDE5 inhibitors to follow, Levitra and Cialis, gained notoriety for both correct and incorrect reasons.
Myths vs Reality
Almost anything that claims PDE5 inhibitors do anything more than improve one’s ability to have erections is generally a myth. For example, see the following myths:
Viagra will increase stamina
“Stamina” is a euphemism for the delaying of premature ejaculation (PE). Climaxing in less than two minutes is a sexual dysfunction, but Viagra or the other PDE-5 inhibitors won’t delay it. PE is not a condition of circulation but rather a complex interplay among tactile sensitivity, psychological factors, and performance anxiety. Control of this disorder is by behavioral modification, topical numbing agents, antidepressants, or psychiatry that specializes in sexual dysfunction.
What a PDE-5 inhibitor can do is decrease the time between erections, which can effectively allow for more erections in a given time than what is expected without it. The time after ejaculation is called the refractory period. The time between the excitation phase and ejaculation is called the plateau phase. Viagra (sildenafil) and other similar products (Levitra, Cialis) do not extend the plateau phase, but they shorten the refractory period.
Viagra will make a penis bigger
A penis will only get bigger than when it is flaccid because erections involve the enlargement of the penis and the accompaniment of rigidity. In other words, Viagra does make someone’s penis any bigger than an erection makes it. The actual penis does not grow, so anyone hoping for extra tissue or enlargement of tissue with Viagra will be sorely disappointed. There’s a big difference between penis engorgement and penis enlargement.
Viagra makes normal erections even better
That’s a no, too. If someone doesn’t need Viagra, he won’t see any difference in their erections, because no difference is needed. It does not make one harder than what would occur normally.
The only exception to this is using Viagra to counter the erection-killers, including cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy, alcohol, meth, etc. Caution is necessary when using illegal substances with PDE-5 inhibitors because the combined effects can be unpredictable.
If Viagra doesn’t work, do not try Cialis or Levitra
Any one medicine can do anything to anyone. As such, even while Viagra failure makes it more likely that Cialis or Levitra will not work, it’s not necessarily guaranteed, and one might benefit from them. You can never be sure of the effects of a drug it is tried.
Viagra is an aphrodisiac
It isn’t. Like oysters, rhino horn, and money, Viagra does not increase one’s desire for someone or make one more desirous to another.
Viagra automatically makes erections.
Erections, like premature ejaculation, are a complex interplay of libido, romance, psychological factors, and relationship stability. Viagra does not create an erection without a true sexually arousing situation.
Viagra will prevent STDs
This is most certainly not the case. Use contraceptives during sex to prevent the spread of STDs.
Viagra will increase sex drive (libido)
No. Psychological factors and a hormone called testosterone control libido.
Viagra will cure ED
No. It treats it, but it only corrects the biochemical malfunction temporarily.
Since Cialis remains in the system for 36 hours, it’s possible to have a 36-hour erection
This is not true, although it is conducive for slightly more erections during that time if there are multiple sexually-arousing situations.
Taking larger doses of Viagra increases satisfaction
Not true. A larger dose is only helpful when a smaller dose does not result in an erection. Once the desired result occurs, no extra medication increases satisfaction, quality of orgasm, sensitivity, and stamina.
Viagra (sildenafil), Levitra, and Cialis do one thing and one thing only: increase blood flow via the use of nitric oxide, which controls vasodilation, so as to improve one’s ability to achieve an erection. Although there are tangential benefits to this, such as improved self-esteem and performance confidence, if one is looking to use Viagra (or similar products to achieve the benefits of the aforementioned myths, they are useless.