Viagra is marketed as a miracle pill for impotent men, but this ‘love potion’ is still so misunderstood
It doesn’t produce an instant erection
There needs to be sexual contact to kick-start Viagra into action. You can’t just watch telly in the kitchen and wait for your chap to call you when he’s ready. It takes two to tango, remember.
He still needs to fancy you
Many women complain that chemically induced sex isn’t ‘the real thing’. But Viagra doesn’t affect desire – it doesn’t skyrocket a man’s sex drive or arouse him. He’s still got to find you a turn-on for the pills to work.
Women benefit too
Viagra can’t turn men into great lovers – poor communication and poor technique will never be fixed by a pill. Nevertheless, 50 per cent of women whose partners take the drug say their sex life has improved, a third claim they feel more emotionally intimate, and one in five say the drug has ‘saved’ their relationship.
You may find that it changes the nature of your sex life
If you’ve been focusing on other things to distract yourselves from his impotence, you may lament a reduced emphasis on oral sex or foreplay once his erection returns. Some women feel compelled to have sex on demand because they don’t want to let their partner down or waste pill. Others find the new pressure to ‘be sexual’ takes some getting used to.
Be careful what you wish for
Viagra drastically shortens the time between climaxing and achieving another erection. Men may think that’s a plus, but not all women want an interminable sex session. Prolonged intercourse, particularly without sufficient lubrication, can do damage. It can lead to vaginal abrasions and even tearing and can expose a woman to risk of getting yeast infections.
It can take a bit of planning
Viagra is most effective if taken an hour before having sex. Wait at least half an hour so that the medication can work. And avoid grabbing a burger first: a high fat content in his blood will slow down its effectiveness. Steer clear of too much booze or he may faint or get dizzy. Don’t let him take Viagra more than once a day and don’t bother taking it yourself – it doesn’t boost a woman’s sex drive.
There are alternatives
Viagra is a brand name for the drug sildenafil. Newer drugs such as Levitra and Cialis work on the same principle as Viagra, but they work faster and last longer (Cialis works for 26 hours, Viagra for four). Natural remedies include ginkgo biloba, ginseng and reflexology.
It’s not for everyone
Viagra works for about 80 per cent of men, but it’s important to note that you mustn’t take it if you’ve got certain heart conditions, and it can interfere with various medications for cholesterol and high blood pressure. Get the once-over from your GP before taking it, bypassing the doc and buying it online or through friends is risky.
You can get it on the NHS
Your GP can write a prescription if you have diabetes, kidney trouble, MS, Parkinson’s, prostate surgery, or some forms of cancer.
If you want to know more, check out the NHS information on Viagra…
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/sildenafil-viagra/
