Many men expect Viagra to work immediately on the first try, but unfortunately, it's often not so simple.
So what if Viagra doesn't work? You don't have to throw away your prescription just yet.
Quick FAQs
Viagra helps with relaxing the blood vessels, encouraging more blood flow throughout the body, and allowing for more firmer and frequent erections.
On average it takes about an hour for users to start experiencing the effects of Viagra.
Consider avoiding alcohol, skipping high-fat meals, and exercising more to help make Viagra more effective.
With these tips, you'll learn how to get the most out of Viagra to help cure ED. This guide will help you improve the chances for success with Viagra, along with other essential tips on overcoming erectile dysfunction.
Viagra, which is the name-brand version of the medication sildenafil, is one of the more popular and effective treatments for erectile dysfunction available today.
Viagra is a PDE5 inhibitor that targets specific enzymes within the blood vessel walls.
This helps to relax the blood vessels, which then encourages more blood flow throughout the body, with an often pronounced effect on the penis.
Poor circulation is one of the many risk factors for ED, which can also come from a number of other conditions such as:
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Obesity
Depression
Alcoholism
And more
While PDE5 inhibitors often work well for those suffering from ED, some men may not be immediately responsive to Viagra’s effects.
They may not receive the full benefits they’re hoping for, or it may take extra dosages to work.
However, it’s important to always follow a doctor’s advice when taking any medication, including Viagra.
What to do if Viagra Doesn’t Work
Everyone’s body is different. Sometimes a medication may simply not work.
However, there can also be a number of reasons why Viagra isn’t as effective as desired. It could be eating certain foods to even one’s mentality before sex.
If you’re currently taking Viagra and wondering, “what can I do if viagra doesn't work for me?”
We'll go over some of the most common reasons Viagra doesn’t work, along with ways to improve the medication’s chances of fixing ED.
1. Get Aroused
Worrying about, “what if viagra doesn't work?” can often become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Many men assume that Viagra will instantly provide an erection, but that’s often not the case.
What this means is that if you have any performance anxiety, or are simply not in the mood, you may not be able to achieve an erection. Some tips that may help with getting aroused include:
Watching pornography
Masturbating
Using sex toys
By getting properly aroused, along with the additional help of Viagra, men are much more likely to achieve an erection.
2. Give it Time
Viagra works quickly, but it doesn’t work instantly. Plus, Viagra may also not work the first time for some users. Some reasons it may not work include:
Incorrect dosages
Performance anxiety
Eating high-fat meals before taking
The minimum amount of time for Viagra to start working is around 30 minutes, although the average time is about one hour.
From the time the effects are felt, Viagra should work for around four to six hours in total.
As an alternative, there are daily supplements like VitaFLUX that can help to increase stamina and improve erection quality over time.
This can be a great choice for those who want to cure their ED and not have to limit themselves to just a few hours a day, especially since Viagra can only be taken once daily.
3. Avoid Alcohol
While a glass or two of alcohol is likely not dangerous with Viagra, it’s generally not recommended to drink while taking any medication that interferes with circulation.
However, another concern is that high alcohol usage may cause erection problems in some men. While the risk of this increases the more one consumes, it’s likely best to avoid alcohol altogether when taking Viagra and fighting against ED. In fact, too much alcohol can cause temporary ED, more commonly known as "Whiskey Dick".
4. Skip High-Fat Meals
High-fat meals can interfere with the absorption of Viagra. It could delay the effects by several hours or even make it completely ineffective.
To ensure getting the most out of Viagra, it’s often best to take it on an empty stomach or with a lighter meal.
If you do eat a high-fat meal, or any large meal in general, it may be best to wait around an hour before taking the medication.
Pro Tip: Certain foods can help cause erectile dysfunction. Find out which foods to avoid for ED.
5. Don’t Take Viagra Too Early
Timing Viagra can be tricky. Taking it too late may cause you to wait longer for the effects to kick in. Taking it too early can cause its effects to wear off too soon.
Although Viagra is touted as being effective for several hours, the most common reports are that it works best during the first four hours once the effects begin.
It may be best to try Viagra on your own at first to see how you respond to it before using it with a partner.
By knowing the response to Viagra, it becomes easier to time it correctly when you’re with someone.
6. Avoid Recreational Drugs
Some recreational drugs can interfere with libido and getting an erection. It’s recommended to avoid any type of drug when taking Viagra.
This is both to increase the chances of success in curing ED, and also to reduce any unwanted side effects.
7. Talk to Your Doctor About Your Dosage
Viagra comes in a variety of doses. The dosage amounts for Brand name Viagra are:
25 mg
50 mg
100 mg
If you feel like you’re not responding well enough, it’s important to ask a doctor about trying a higher dosage.
It’s also important to not increase the dosage without a doctor’s approval, and to not take the medication more than once daily unless instructed otherwise.
Despite being overall safe and effective for most men, Viagra isn’t 100% perfect, and no medication will work for every person every time.
Luckily, there are other similar PDE5 inhibitors that may work, including:
Cialis (tadalafil)
Levitra (vardenafil)
Stendra (avanafil)
9. Exercise
Exercise has been shown to help the cardiovascular system and also aid in improving erection quality for men with ED.
It can also increase mood and reduce the risk of anxiety and depression. Both anxiety and depression are common symptoms associated with ED.
10. Treat Underlying Health Conditions
The causes of ED are numerous, and everyone may have their own unique combination of risk factors.
For example, someone with uncontrolled diabetes, high blood pressure, or obesity may have a poor circulatory system as a result.
This can often lead to erectile dysfunction as less blood flows into the penis. While Viagra may help for a few hours, it’s not a permanent solution.
However, by working with a doctor or licensed professional, you can treat these underlying conditions to improve your chances of curing ED.
You may be advised to:
Exercise more
Change dietary habits
Supplement with vitamins
Start a new medication
Utilize therapy
Takeaways
Even if Viagra doesn't work immediately for you, these tips can help you to get the most out of the medication and potentially alleviate erectile dysfunction.
ED medications can take time to work, and if you're anxious about the results, it may make things even more difficult.
It's important to be patient when working to overcome ED, because it often involves a lot of trial and error.
With the right mindset, along with the right medication, you will be closer to curing ED and enjoying the sex life you desire!
Our team has over a decade of experience in the sexual wellness field and are experts in sexual dysfunctions, like premature ejaculation. We help couples and individuals better understand treatment options available for different types of sexual needs and educate the public on all things related to intimacy. All of our authored content is medically reviewed for accuracy and reliability.
Sources:
Absorption Pharmaceuticals LLC (Promescent) has strict informational citing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic or research institutions, medical associations, and medical experts. We attempt to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references and only citing trustworthy sources. Each article is reviewed, written, and updated by Medical Professionals or authoritative Experts in a specific, related field of practice. You can find out more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
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The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
