Let’s talk about Viagra
What is it? Who should use it? What are the side effects?
Let’s clear some things first:
Have you ever heard people say ‘blue pill’ or ‘little blue pill’? Well, in case you didn’t know they were talking about Viagra. The name is based on how this medication looks.
Second, Viagra is a specific medicine just like Panadol or ENO, not a general drug name. It’s the same way Kenyans say OMO when they mean detergent or Pampers when they mean diapers. Now you know. You’re welcome.
The thing is that Viagra is widely used to treat Erectile Dysfunction (ED). Maybe that’s why people assume it means any drug that treats ED.
Who should take Viagra?
Viagra is not like groundnuts, you cannot take it anytime you want. Or just because you want to impress a woman. Or to be considered a stallion in bed. It is medication, and medication is only taken if you are sick. After talking to a doctor, of course.
Men of any age with Erectile Dysfunction (ED) can take the blue pills. Men with ED are unable to get or maintain an erection to engage in sex.
Viagra helps affected men get and maintain an erection. The drug improves blood flow to the penis when they’re sexually aroused.
It is advisable to take Viagra around one hour before engaging in any sexual activity. This is because the concentration is at its peak 60 minutes after taking the drug. It’s effects last up to 4 hours.
While this medication is designed to treat this condition, it doesn’t always work. This could be because of various reasons. They include not using it as instructed, taking a lower dosage, anxiety, and underlying health conditions such as low testosterone.
Remember:
As mentioned, Viagra is not the only option available, there are several other erection dysfunction medications in the market. Talk to your doctor about what option is best for you.
In Kenya, you need a doctor’s prescription since they need to prove that you are sick. The drug is safe when correctly prescribed. Again, Viagra and groundnuts are not in the same WhatsApp group.
What are the side effects?
Possible side-effects include:
- Headaches, flushing, nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Blocked nose
- Blurred vision
- Long-term erection, sometimes painful
- Loss of vision or hearing – this is rare
- More seriously, sudden heart problems, especially for patients with heart problems or at risk of heart problems. It could lead to sudden death.
Alternatives solutions to ED
Viagra is not the only way to treat ED. Your doctor should advise you on other treatment options. Visit your nearest Marie Stopes Clinic to talk to your doctor about other alternatives.
Lifestyle changes can also improve blow flow to the penis. Such changes include:
- Exercising – Be physically active. Lifting a spoon to eat is not exercising. Also, don’t sit in your sofa/chair all day. Walk, run, go to the gym.
- Adopting a healthy diet – Potato chips are great but they should not be your everyday meal. Eat smaller portions of ugali, rice or whatever carbohydrate you prefer. Throw in some greens. And proteins.
- Losing weight – Lose some kilos, your penis will thank you.
- Stop smoking – Don’t be a human chimney. It’s a small sacrifice if it will make your penis happy. We all want a happy penis! Don’t we?
- Reduce alcohol consumption – Drink in moderation, alcohol is not going anywhere! It will still be there tomorrow.
- Stop using medications that can cause ED – Talk to your doctor about this.
- Seeking counselling services in case of stress or mental health issues such as depression
Beware that herbal medicines have not been proven to treat erection problems. There is no evidence to suggest that they are effective at treating ED. It is safer to visit a doctor for treatment.
Do you have any questions about Viagra or erectile dysfunction? Talk to us in the comments section. You can also engage with us on the Love Matters Kenya Facebook page.
Tell us what you think
Recent Comments (62)
Thanks
Thanks
You’re welcome. Thank you…
You’re welcome. Thank you for your feedback.
Thanks
Thanks
Always pleased to help.
Always pleased to help.
But how can someone deal…
But how can someone deal with a problem like having for 5 minutes then after releasing there is no intereste again ie no more filings.Is there any medication for that
Hi Mgele,
It is normal to…
Hi Mgele,
It is normal to temporarily lose desire for sex after ejaculating. After an ejaculation, there is a recovery phase during which it is physically impossible for a man to have additional orgasms or desire for sexual activity. The question is, for how long do you lose interest after ejaculating? Is is for some minutes? hours? days? Let’s talk.
Some hours
Some hours
Soo what the best treatment…
Soo what the best treatment for ED
Hi Fm2,
There are several…
Hi Fm2,
There are several treatment options for ED including oral medication, penis pumps, and surgery implants and psychological counseling. The best treatment for you depends on the cause and severity of the ED and any underlying health conditions. The treatment option depends on the cause. Note that some causes of ED are easier to treat than others.
I have learned something…
I have learned something good thanks alot
Hi Shaddy,
We are glad you…
Hi Shaddy,
We are glad you learned something new today. Keep it here for more information on your sexual health and pose questions you may have.
It good to mentain your…
It good to mentain your healthy so as not to go to such solutions like using the viagra drugs
Hi John, this is true. A…
Hi John, this is true. A balanced diet and healthy lifestyle can help you avoid resulting to using medication.
Some people say when you are…
Some people say when you are addicted to those drugs, you can nolonger person without the drug
Is it true?
Hello Mohamed, thank you for…
Hello Mohamed, there is no evidence that these drugs cause physical or psychological dependence.
Are those drugs addictive
Are those drugs addictive
Hi Joshua, thank you for…
Hi Joshua, thank you for your question. No they are not.
Hi Mohamed,
When used…
Hi Mohamed,
When used properly as prescribed by a doctor, Viagra does not have effects. But if you take Viagra as a recreation drug or not as directed by a doctor, there is a risk that you could become psychologically dependent on them. This means that you may start to believe that can’t perform without it, and this belief may result in problems like not being able to get an erection because you’re too anxious. While this is rare, you should only use Viagra or any sexual enhancing drugs as directed by a doctor or by a pharmacist.
Can a prolonged time of…
Can a prolonged time of sexual inactiveness cause ED
Hi James, thank you for…
Hi James, thank you for reaching out to us. This is not on the list of causative agents.
Good information..thank you??
Good information..thank you??
Hi Fredrick Junior, you are…
Hi Fredrick Junior, you are very welcome. Thank you for your feedback.
Nice topics
Nice topics
Hi Musa, thank you for your…
Hi Musa, thank you for your feedback it is appreciated.
Nice class i have enjoyed…
Nice class i have enjoyed the session
Hi Samuel, thank you for…
Hi Samuel, thank you for your feedback we appreciate it.
Hi Samuel, thank you for…
Hi Samuel, thank you for your feedback. We appreciate it.
have learnt that viagra and…
have learnt that viagra and groundnuts are not in the same WhatsApp group?
Lol. No they are not.
Lol. No they are not.
thank you for your advice
thank you for your advice
Hi breimah, we are always…
Hi breimah, we are always pleased to help
It’s true
It’s true
Thank you for vote of…
Thank you for vote of confidence Aslam!
What happens when you…
What happens when you immediately stop using it after being on it for along time
Hi Prav,
As long as the…
Hi Prav,
As long as the Viagra has been prescribed by a medical professional, you should be okay. The drug is widely considered safe and effective. If you were using it for recreational purposes, you may need to visit a doctor as it may have had negative effects. On the other hand, if you had erection problems before, this problem is likely to persist because Viagra is not a permanent method, it is not a cure for erection problems.
I have done masturbation for…
I have done masturbation for 15years now.Will I have Ed in future?
Hi Ramsey,
There is no…
Hi Ramsey,
There is no evidence that masturbation causes ED. Read this article to understand common causes of ED: What is ED and what causes it?
Is there any effect…
Is there any effect associated with murstabation especially at the older age specifically on urination?
Hi Larry,
Masturbation is…
Hi Larry,
Masturbation is totally normal and healthy regardless of age. Wat do you mean by ‘on urination’? Do you mean masturbating while urinating?
Could hypertension cause ED
Could hypertension cause ED
Hi Lawrence,
Yes,…
Hi Lawrence,
Yes, hypertension, also known as high blood pressure is a major cause of erection problems. This is because it damages artery walls, causing them to harden and narrow, and this may reduce blood flow to the penis. It is important to visit a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Am 27 and I last used some…
Am 27 and I last used some time back for long about a year but the side effect I got is erectile disi function. Which I tried to stop and stay without am fairly trying but what can I do to regain my usual erection?
Hi Mike,
I am sorry to…
Hi Mike,
I am sorry to hear about your experience. Had it been recommended by a doctor? It is not safe to self-medicate since this can have serious side effects. Either way, you need to visit a doctor who will recommend the best treatment option.
If someone is sometimes on…
If someone is sometimes on and off can he use this drugs
Hello George,
What do you…
Hello George,
What do you mean by on and off?
Can Viagra affect the kidney
Can Viagra affect the kidney
Hi Isaac,
There is no…
Hi Isaac,
There is no evidence to show that Viagra can affect kidney function. Yet, as is the case with all medications, it is important to take the dosage as prescribed by a doctor.
how can one treat the…
how can one treat the eyesigtht if at all it viagra is over consumed for along period
Hi Hammmy,
It is important…
Hi Hammmy,
It is important that you visit a doctor for tests the exact cause of the eyesight problem. If you have been taking Viagra without a doctor’s prescription, then it is possible that there are some side effects. To confirm this, visit a doctor for tests and treatment.
Hi viagra veries in differ…
Hi viagra veries in differ percentages which one is good for use
Hi HAMMy,
It is important…
Hi HAMMy,
It is important to talk to your doctor or medical professional about the right dosage for you before taking it. The doctor will first establish whether you should use it or not before prescribing the dosage.
Whatever is said here is…
Whatever is said here is true.
Hi Lord,
Thank you for…
Hi Lord,
Thank you for your upvote! Keep it here for more accurate information.
What of a person who…
What of a person who ejaculated on penetrative?,
Hi Vinnie,
What about them?
Hi Vinnie,
What about them?
My problem is niigata dem…
My problem is niigata dem mwingine nakua na stressed na inakataa kusimama
Hi James,
Stress huaffect…
Hi James,
Stress huaffect erections. You may find that your penis is unable to erect since stress can interrupt how your brain sends messages to the penis to allow extra blood flow. The solution n kurelax and kudeal an any issues zenye zinakusumbua.
I have heard from 3 people, when they go in with different ladies they fail to erect but they are not even having stress… But you will find that at least one lady everything is fine….. Am always confused…. Can they also use viagra?
Hi Elija,
Yes, you can use viagra as long as you’re experiencing erectile problems. Before then, Consider that it could also be because of attraction or you could be someone who only gets erections from people you’re attracted to. Other issues that can cause erectile problems are certain medications or health conditions. It is important to investigate the exact cause of the problem since some health conditions can be managed to improve erectile problems.
I can use Viagra if am suffering from diabetes type 1 and on insulin?
Hi Lumboxone,
Yes, you can. However, it is important to note that it’s common for men with diabetes to have other chronic conditions that can cause or worsen erectile problems. Work with your doctor to make sure you’re addressing any other health problems. Ask your doctor if one of these may be a good choice for you.
Hi, I have learned a lot through here thank u so much be blessed always.