Viagra: the myths and risks
Twenty percent of healthy young men have used Viagra or a similar drug, a recent study found. And not because of erection problems, but to boost sexual performance – despite the serious health risks. A researcher describes such a user.
Urologist Dr Walter de Bonis, one of the researchers behind the Argentinean study, tells Love Matters about a typical patient who takes Viagra for kicks.
In my surgery, I talked to a patient who had come to me for the first time for a routine check-up.
‘What medicines do you take?’ I asked him, as I do with all new patients.
‘None, only Viagra,’ he answered.
‘Which doctor gave you the prescription?’ I asked.
‘None,’ he replied. ‘A friend recommended it and gave it to me.’
Improve performance
Some men simply don’t consider Viagra as a medicine and they can easily get hold of it without a prescription. It’s a very common story heard in the surgery of a urologist.
‘Do you know Viagra is a drug prescribed for erection problems?’ I asked him. ‘Do you suffer from these kinds of problems?’
‘No doctor,’ he said, ‘luckily I don’t have that problem’
‘So, why do you take it?’
‘To improve my performance.’
I asked him to explain.
‘When I’m with a younger woman – don’t forget I’m 48 – I take it to perform better. You know, young girls are more demanding!’ he told me enthusiastically.
No evidence
I hear stories like this every day. Men who don’t have any erection problems take these kinds of medicines because they wrongly think it will improve their sexual performance.
But there’s no evidence that Viagra or similar drugs improve performance if they’re taken by men who don’t have erection trouble. What’s more, as with any medicine, there are risks of attached to using Viagra if it’s taken without a prescription without consulting a doctor.
Magic pills
By the time my patient calmly left the surgery, I’d managed to convince him of his own ‘potency’ and that he didn’t need any magic pills to boost his performance.
We made a new appointment. I’m very curious to see how he gets on.
Recreational Viagra use
The study in Argentina found that:
- 20 per cent of men aged 18-30 have used Viagra or similar. Of them:
- 20 per cent did it out of curiosity
- 96 per cent didn’t have a prescription
- 75 per cent say it improves their erections and sex
- 95 per cent think they’re well-informed about the health risks
- 20 per cent actually are well-informed
- Most users took the Viagra with alcohol or drugs, which increases the risk of side-effects.
Side-effects
The drug Sildenafil citrate, a PDE5 inhibitor, is sold as Viagra and Revatio, and under other names. Possible side-effects include:
- Headaches, flushing, nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Blocked nose
- Blurred vision
- Long-term erection
- rarely, loss of vision or hearing
- More seriously, sudden heart problems, especially for people who have had heart trouble or a stroke before
Have you ever taken Viagra even though you don’t have really have trouble getting an erection? Leave a comment below or join the conversation on Facebook.
no i fear
no i fear
Hi Shan,
Hi Shan,
thanks for your comment!
Am a fraid for dem
Am a fraid for dem
Hi Joshkesh,
Hi Joshkesh,
thanks for your input.
Would you tell us why are you afraid of them?
only one time.
only one time.
Hi Feysal,
Hi Feysal,
and what was your experience?
no i haven’t seen them before
no i haven’t seen them before.
Hi James,
Hi James,
thanks for your comment!
I have never used them bt to
I have never used them bt to me they must be prsrbed b4 use
Hi Amiani,
Hi Amiani,
we like that and we agree- prescription only!
wat abt the mukebhero the
wat abt the mukebhero the luhya one is it effective since its herbal?tell us
Hi Athanus,
Hi Athanus,
it’s quite possible that some herbs work very well. In fact, most of the drugs we use today are based on herbal functions.
That said, you still shouldn’t use anything unless you have an actual problem. And, with something that isn’t prescribed, whether herbal or not, you will never be sure of risk and side-effects.
I once used it does it mean
I once used it does it mean am likely to get a stroke? And what if one can do the detox thing can it be wiped out? worried!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Charis,
Hi Charis,
don’t panic. If you only used it once, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. But now you know the risks!
never ever am ok with my
never ever am ok with my erection.not even seen it
Hi Athanus,
Hi Athanus,
thanks for your comment!
Hello! This post could not be
Hello! This post could not be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my good gefcagg
Thanks, Pharmd! We are glad
Thanks, Pharmd! We are glad to hear you liked the post!
whoah this weblog is
whoah this weblog is wonderful i love studying your posts. Stay up the great work! You know, many individuals are searching round for this info, you can aid them greatly. keacgff
Hey there, thanks! Keep
Hey there, thanks! Keep coming back, we always update the website with new articles!
whoah this blog is fantastic
whoah this blog is fantastic i really like studying your articles. Keep up the good paintings! You understand, many individuals are looking around for this info, you could aid them greatly. egcbeeb
Hey there,
Hey there,
thanks! We appreciate your feedback.
Someone essentially help to
Someone essentially help to make significantly posts I might state. This is the first time I frequented your web page and so far? I surprised with the research you made to create this actual submit amazing. Magnificent activity! dedcgfd
Thanks! We do put a lot of
Thanks! We do put a lot of effort into our work, to make sure everything is scientifically sound!
very nice submit, i
very nice submit, i definitely love this website, keep on it gkdaebc
We are glad to hear that!
We are glad to hear that!
Article Source a viral game
Article Source a viral game app is not that much difficult. ddeekdb
Hi there,
Hi there,
we are not quite sure we know what you mean….
cheers for the actual article
cheers for the actual article i’ve recently been on the lookout with regard to this kind of advice on the net for sum time proper now so numerous thanks dbcdddd
Hello there,
Hello there,
you are very welcome!
Please keep coming back for more, and spread the word about us!
Hello! Do you use Twitter? I
Hello! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay. I’m undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts. decbaak
Yes, we are on Twitter,
Yes, we are on Twitter, @lovemafrica.
You can also find us on Facebook, Love Matters Africa.
And please do come back soon!
Enjoyed examining this,
Enjoyed examining this, very good stuff, thankyou . While thou livest keep a good tongue in thy head. by William Shakespeare. gdkcdgg
Thanks for the quote! Have
Thanks for the quote! Have you had a look at our quotes yet?
Awesome article post.Thanks
Awesome article post.Thanks Again. Much obliged. ekcadedeceae
Thanks.
Thanks for your comment.
how does someone know that he
how does someone know that he/she is fertile??
Hi Frankyy,
Hi Frankyy,
for men, there are simple sperm tests a doctor can perform. For women, it’s somewhat more complicated. Check our pregnancy section for more information.
obviously like your website
obviously like your website however you need to check the spelling on several of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I to find it very bothersome to tell the truth on the other hand I will definitely come again again. cebddddeaece
Would you like to point out
Would you like to point out some, Johnf43?
I am not sure where you are
I am not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for fantastic information I was looking for this info for my mission. ekdeedadceed
Thanks, John.
Thanks, John.
Maintain the excellent job
Maintain the excellent job mate. This web blog publish shows how well you comprehend and know this subject. cgeadbbadkdg
Thanks!
Thanks!
This will be a fantastic site
This will be a fantastic site, will you be interested in doing an interview regarding just how you designed it? If so email me! gaceadaecfgd
Hi there,
Hi there,
you can reach us at [email protected]
Howdy! Would you mind if I
Howdy! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group? Theres lots of people that I believe would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Thanks bebdcdedecdd
Absolutely! Go for it. You
Absolutely! Go for it. You can also follow us on Twitter: @lovemafrica
Aw, this was a very nice post
Aw, this was a very nice post. In thought I want to put in writing like this moreover taking time and actual effort to make an excellent article but what can I say I procrastinate alot and not at all seem to get something done. acbdbbeafeef
Haha, we know all about
Haha, we know all about procrastination.
I needed to thank you for
I needed to thank you for this good read!! I certainly enjoyed every little bit of it. I’ve got you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post gabefgckkgkd
Yes, please keep coming back!
Yes, please keep coming back!
Hey very nice blog!! Man ..
Hey very nice blog!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your site and take the feeds alsoI’m satisfied to find a lot of useful info right here within the post, we’d like develop extra strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing. kabegfagbafe
You are most welcome, John,
You are most welcome, John, please keep coming back.
Some really nice and useful
Some really nice and useful information on this web site, also I conceive the style and design holds superb features. efdgfdegedba
Thanks, we are glad to hear
Thanks, we are glad to hear that!
Heya im for the first time
Heya im for the first time here. I discovered this board and I to uncover It truly helpful & it helped me out a whole lot. I hope to supply something back and aid other people such as you helped me. adcgecdkaeda
We are happy to hear that!
We are happy to hear that!
Agree with your words. Hope
Agree with your words. Hope you can keep update your post.
Hi there, we have five new
Hi there, we have five new articles on our page every week, so feel free to check the site often! Also, you might want to find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoveMattersAfrica
Nice post. I was checking
Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed! Extremely useful information specially the last part dkegddgedeea
Nice site. On your blogs
Nice site. On your blogs extremely interest and i will tell a buddies. gefcfafbdkkc
You are my inhalation, I have
You are my inhalation, I have few blogs and sometimes run out from to brand. kdgbbegbbeda
Hi how can I improve my sex…
Hi how can I improve my sex performance I 20yrs but so worried about it can u viagra
Hi, Are you having any…
Hi, Are you having any specific performance issues so we can support your appropriately?
Wen having sex With hubby…
Wen having sex With hubby,after first round no erection 4almost onehour. Is there something wrong?
Hey Lilian, This is…
Hey Lilian, This is completely normal for men to have what is called a refractory period, where it cannot get hard after ejaculation. If you are really hoping to have more sex, take the time to recharge and focus on each other. Even without an erection your partner can focus on you and and give you pleasure. It is important that your partner doesn’t stress about this which may make it even harder to get that erection. Check this article;- https://lovematters.co.ke/our-bodies/male-body/erection-top-five-facts
yes…I have the problem and…
yes…I have the problem and sometimes I use it…I have tried some medication but with no avail..but I would like to stop using it
Hello Erickilar, you didn’t…
Hello Erickilar, you didn’t say exactly what problem you feel you have. It maybe useful to discuss this with your health care provider who will advice you on what steps to take to address the problems you feel you have.
i have taken it more dan…
i have taken it more dan five time i need help now after having sex it takes me a long monnth to revover
Hi Emmanuel, maybe you can…
Hi Emmanuel, maybe you can start by not taking it. It is important that you only take the drug under the direction of your health care provider.
Yes! Finally something about…
Yes! Finally something about buy azithromycin.
Hello Kari, thank you so…
Hello Kari, thank you so much for your contribution and we are glad to provide you insight on such information, please keep safe and have a great week ahead!
how can i get prednisone…
how can i get prednisone where to buy prednisone without prescription prednisone 50 mg prices
Hi Thomasmot,
Love Matters…
Hi Thomasmot,
Love Matters does not sell medicine. You can get this from your nearest chemist or pharmacy. Ensure that you have talked to a doctor before taking any sexual enhancing drugs or any other drug for that matter.