Sexual Health

Viagra

Posted by HIM on Wednesday July 15th, 2009

What is Viagra?
Viagra is used to treat male impotency (the incapacity to get or to keep a hard-on). Viagra opens the blood vessels to let more blood flow into the dick. It is not an aphrodisiac and doesn’t affect sexual desire, increase sex drive or make people horny. Viagra may have a reputation as a sexual stimulant but it is only a psychological boost.

The little blue pill has become a player in the gay party scene. Many drugs like ecstasy, K, GHB, cocaine and crystal give people a euphoric high and arouse desire but can reduce sexual function. So guys are using Viagra to enhance their sexual ability. Viagra is only available at the pharmacy if you have a prescription, but it is easy to get from the internet or from the street (but it is way more expensive).

Is it dangerous?
Like any other recreational and illegal drug, taking Viagra without prescription can have consequences if you are not careful. If you take too much Viagra it is possible to feel breathless, have chest pains or black out. Although rare, another medical condition that can occur is priapism (caused by the penis being hard for many hours); it is a severely painful problem that can result in permanent damage.

Viagra is dangerous with poppers. The nitrates that are used in poppers are also found in many prescription medications that treat angina (chest pain due to heart disease). Like Viagra, they lower the blood pressure, so the two combined can cause your blood pressure to drop suddenly and can lead to fainting, shock, or even death.

Viagra can also interact with other medications. For example, protease inhibitors may interact with Viagra by increasing the level of Viagra in blood and increase the side effects. So men who are on protease inhibitors or delavirdine need much lower doses of Viagra. It is very difficult to predict what is a safe dosage for men will be, so it is better to start with a very small dose (half a pill if not less).

Viagra and safer sex?
The use of Viagra can lead to risky sex. When used with other party drugs like crystal, guys can have more partners in a fixed amount of time than if they weren’t using Viagra.  It’s possible that condoms aren’t available at that moment, and because of the euphoria guys decide to have unprotected sex.

The tips!
If you decide to take Viagra, there are a few things you should think about to make it safer and more enjoyable. First, avoid poppers while using the blue pill; and it is suggested to wait 24 hours before risking poppers again, because Viagra doesn’t leave the body immediately.

Also, when you get your Viagra think about getting condoms and lube at the same time. Going to the drugstore with a hard-on can be embarrassing and if you don’t have condoms you might engage in unprotected sex and regret it after. And don’t forget, if you did use Viagra and don’t feel well please let a friend, your partner or anyone you are with know.

- Olivier Ferlatte