Tuesday 18 October 2011

Can Viagra Improve Your Performance Outside of the Bedroom?


Can Viagra Improve Your Performance Outside of the Bedroom?Viagra works by hindering the effects of an enzyme which decreases blood flow to the penis.  In regards to erection, this means that more blood can flow to the penis and firmer, long-lasting erections can be achieved.  But, if Viagra can do this to the male organ, then can it have other positive effects on the body as well?
The World Anti-Doping Agency is asking the same question.  Several years ago, they began to test theories that Viagra may also widen blood vessels in other parts of the body, not just the penis.  This would mean that more blood could easily flow throughout the body and cause more oxygen to reach muscles and organs.  Thus, the cardiovascular system would be able to function more efficiently and muscles would gain endurance.
There have been many major clinical studies into Viagra’s other performance-enhancing effects.  One study, which got the attention of WADA, involved athletes from Stanford University.  The athletes were given Viagra and then had to perform physical tests like cycling 10 kilometers.  Some of the athletes using Viagra were able to increase their performance by up to 40%.  However, these improvements only took place when the cycling took place in a simulated high-altitude environment of 12,700 feet.  When the cycling was performed at sea level environments, no significant improvement was evident.
It would make sense that Viagra gives the best full-body performance-enhancing effect at higher altitudes.  Our blood cells constrict at high altitudes which is why it is more difficult to run on the top of a mountain than at its base.  Further Viagra studies also support this effect.  In 2004, a study was performed in Germany involving mountaineers climbing Mouth Everest.  The study found that Viagra helped relieve the men’s problems with blood vessel constriction while on the mountain and also enhanced their ability to exercise. There are now many other studies in effect which aim to determine whether Viagra will have a positive effect on performance at low altitudes as well as high altitudes.
Currently, the World Anti-Doping Agency has not added Viagra to its list of banned substances.  However, there was the infamous incident of cyclist Andrea Moletta getting banned from the Tour of Italy after officials found about 80 Viagra pills in his father’s car.  If Viagra does get officially banned from sports, we can expect a huge protest from athletes’ lawyers.  It would not be surprising to hear arguments which link sexual health to physical health and performance.  Thus, banning impotent athletes from taking Viagra would sacrifice their athletic abilities.Can Viagra Improve Your Performance Outside of the Bedroom?
The studies do support that Viagra has performance-enhancing qualities outside of the bedroom.  However, these effects are likely only negligible at best.  When it comes to sports though, this can mean the difference between a Gold and a Silver medal – especially in sports which take place at high altitudes.  What does all this mean to the millions of men who take Viagra and who aren’t athletes?  Well, not much – unless you are going to be climbing a mountain soon!

How to Get the Most Out of Viagra


How to Get the Most Out of ViagraViagra is by far the most well known and trusted of all the erectile dysfunction treatments out there.  Even though Viagra is now facing tough competition from the other PDE5 inhibitors, it still remains the first-choice line of treatment against ED for many doctors and patients.
Even though Viagra has been so widely used for over a decade, many people still don’t realize how it should be used in order to get the best effects.  Because of this, men may have a very positive experience with Viagra one time and then have disappointing results another time.  Here is what you need to know in order to get the most out of Viagra:
Viagra and Meals
The medicine info about Viagra tells you that you can take the pills without regards to food.  Yes, this is true that food will not cause an interaction or completely prevent the medicine from being absorbed into your body.  However, taking Viagra with food WILL slow down how fast it gets absorbed into your system.  If you take Viagra while eating or immediately after a meal, it could take up to 60 minutes before you get the full benefits.
Ideally, you should take Viagra on an empty stomach.  Not only with the drug start working faster, but you will get more potent results.  However, there is a downside to this: if you take Viagra on an empty stomach, you can experience more severe side effects.  The best solution is to eat a meal and then wait approximately 2-3 hours until taking Viagra.  This will cut down on the side effects while still giving the best results.
Drink Excess Fluids with Viagra
One of the most common side effects of Viagra is headache.  While this side effect isn’t usually serious, it can be bothersome when you are trying to have a romantic encounter.  To avoid getting headaches, you should drink excess water while taking Viagra.  This is especially true because sexual activity can get your pulse racing and cause you to become further dehydrated.
Avoid Alcohol
A glass of wine can really help get your mojo going.  However, a few glasses of wine can also cause ED.  Alcohol is one of the biggest contributors to erectile problems.  If you already have a chronic ED problem, then it is not the best idea to consume alcohol before your romantic encounter.  Even if you are able to get an erection due to the Viagra, it may not be the highest quality of erection.  Additionally, alcohol can increase some of the How to Get the Most Out of Viagrapotential side effects of Viagra like dizziness. You would not want to end your evening without getting the benefits of Viagra because you were too dizzy to perform!
Wait AT LEAST 30 Minutes
Many men experience the benefits of Viagra after just about 15 minutes.  However, they are not going to experience the MAXIMUM benefits in this short of a time.  With Viagra, it is best to take things slow.  If you wait at least 30 minutes (60 minutes is better), then you will get really great results from Viagra.

The Truth about Viagra, ED, and Penile Fractures


The Truth about Viagra, ED, and Penile FracturesAs much as we men love our members, the design is far from perfect.  From a biological standpoint, the penis is a true marvel. It must be able to go from a completely flaccid state to rock-hard in a matter of moments, rapidly increasing in size and shape as it does.  During this process, damage to the penis can easily occur.  A couple years back, “Grey’s Anatomy” viewers got an idea of this possibility when Dr. Sloan has a penis fracture during sex.
Since a lot of the men taking Viagra are older males who may not be having sex as frequently as in their youth, the likelihood of penile fractures, or broken penis, increases.  Also, ED can severely deteriorate the overall health of the penis.  In order for a penis to remain healthy, it must get adequate blood flow and be exercised regularly.  This normally happens in the 3-5 erections that men experience nightly.  Men with ED, however, do not experience these regular nightly erections.
When mild penis injuries repeatedly occur (some so mild that the man might not even notice), it can lead to a condition called Peyronie’s disease in which the penis has a predominant curvature.  Even though penile fractures and Peyronie’s disease are far from new conditions (there have been reports of them since the 10th century), medical professionals are now noticing a new factor related to them: Viagra.
Studies are now showing that Viagra can put some men at risk of getting penile fractures but, with other men, actually can help prevent them.  The way that a penile fracture happens is this: during erection, the penile cavities are rapidly filled with blood.  The penile cavities are surrounded by a tunic which stretches as the penis grows and expands with erection.  If the penis expands too much, then this tunic can snap.
Penis injuries are much more common in young men who have healthy blood circulation systems.  That is why it is strongly recommended against men who don’t have ED to use Viagra recreationally.  The increased erection power could actually lead to penis damage.  Also, it is moreThe Truth about Viagra, ED, and Penile Fractures likely for a penile fracture to occur if the woman is on top because the wrong shift can lead to strain on the penis and result in a fracture.
However, for older men who have chronic ED, taking Viagra can actually help prevent penile fractures.  The reason for this is that the penis requires a workout in order to stay healthy.  Just like your muscles, if you don’t use it – you lose it.  That means ED can weaken the tunic of the penis.  After prolonged periods of time without getting an erection, the penis tunic can lose its elasticity.  By taking Viagra, men with ED are actually improving their penis health and reducing the chances of damage occurring during sexual activity.

Is the Viagra Risky – or is it the Sex?


Is the Viagra Risky – or is it the Sex?Heart problems are one of the leading causes of erectile dysfunction.  However, if you carefully read through the Viagra medication info, you will find  a few precautions that Viagra may not be safe for men with heart problems.  So, how are we supposed to interpret this Catch 22?
Surprisingly, the heart disease precaution about Viagra doesn’t have so much to do with the drug as it does with what Viagra makes possible: sex.  Some very thorough studies have uncovered that 1% of heart attacks occur due to sexual activity.  For 50 year old men who are otherwise healthy, the risk of dying from a heart attack is 1 in a million.  However, this risk doubles when sexual activity is involved.  Still, 2 in a million is very low.  Even when you factor in heart disease, the risk of fatal heart attack from sexual activity is still low at 20 in a million.  In this sense, men with heart disease can feel safe engaging in sexual activity which is made possible from Viagra.
There is also an argument which goes against the precautions about sex in men with heart disease: sex could actually be healthy for the heart.  After all, sex is a type of exercise which gets the heart rate going and may also have you breaking a sweat.  The recent Massachusetts Male Aging Study showed that men who infrequently had sex (less than once per month) had a 45% greater chance of having cardiovascular disease than men who had sex at least twice weekly.  These results are hard to gauge scientifically though.  After all, there are many factors which may cause men to have sex infrequently, such as disease or libido issues.  These factors can also be linked to heart disease.
As an exercise, sexual activity generally doesn’t create the cardiovascular results that you’d get from a jog around the block.  Studies show that sex only gives 70-8-% of the workout as using a treadmill.  In terms of burning calories, sex only will shed 5 calories a minute – which is about the same as strolling on the golf green.
Researchers have determined that Viagra is safe for ED patients with heart problems.  However, that hasn’t stopped them from putting the precaution on the label to be careful during sex.  If you faint during sex, have chest pain, or symptoms of a cardiovascular event, you should stop havingIs the Viagra Risky – or is it the Sex?sex immediately and get medical attention.  It needs to be noted though that you should also get medical attention if you have these symptoms while doing any other physical activity!
Luckily for men with both ED and heart problems, the studies about sex are still in your favor.  Even though sex isn’t as great of a workout as jogging, it still can improve your heart health.  So, why not start using Viagra?  Sex definitely beats jogging when it comes to improving heart health!

What to Expect When Generic Viagra Hits the Market


What to Expect When Generic Viagra Hits the MarketSildenafil citrate, known as “generic Viagra,” has been available on the global market for almost as long as brand-name Viagra has been in existence.  However, a lot of patients don’t really understand what the difference between a generic and the brand-name drug are.  A generic drug is a drug which is FDA-proven to be the equivalent of the brand-name version.  A generic drug must get FDA approval to be marketed, just like the brand version had to get.  As of now, there is no generic Viagra available – but that is about to change.
The patent on Viagra is about to expire in 2012.  When this happens, you can be sure that tens of manufacturers are going to rush to the FDA to get approval for their generic version of the leading ED treatment.  There are already hundreds of places that you can buy “generic” Viagra online, especially from foreign pharmacies.  Even though many of these generic versions of Viagra are completely regulated by strict health agencies in their respective countries, they do not have the approval to be sold in the US.  To be sold in the US, first the Viagra patent must expire and then the companies must prove their version of Viagra to be the generic equivalent.
Brand-name Viagra is currently really expensive (about $10 or more per pill).  When you see how low the generic Viagra costs at foreign pharmacies (often less than $1 per pill), it can become infuriating.  While the FDA in the US has its hands in just about every aspect of drug manufacture and distribution, it has absolutely no control over the prices that pharmaceutical companies set for medicines.  For this, the FDA leaves the free market.  However, so long as the patent on prescription drugs last, the pharmaceuticals companies have absolutely no legal US-based competition.
On the very same day that the Viagra patent expires, we can expect generic Viagra applications to hit the FDA desks.  The pharmaceutical company Pfizer has already made billions on Viagra sales and other companies will want to cash in on this.  Since all the research and marketing aspects of Viagra have already been done, the generic Viagra manufacturers have low overhead costs and can afford to sell Viagra at prices less than 90% of the brand-name version.
If you don’t want to wait for the FDA-approved Viagra generics to hit the market, you can order your medicines online.  There is always a bit of a risk when ordering generic drugs online though.  What to Expect When Generic Viagra Hits the MarketIt is crucial that the medicines are coming from countries with strong drug regulation agencies.  Try to find online pharmacies which dispense their drugs from any of these countries: Barbados, Australia, New Zealand, UK, Israel, EU, Mexico, India, Singapore, or Curacao.   Even with the high costs of shipping, you can still end up saving huge amounts buy buying generic Viagra.

What to Expect When Generic Viagra Hits the Market


What to Expect When Generic Viagra Hits the MarketSildenafil citrate, known as “generic Viagra,” has been available on the global market for almost as long as brand-name Viagra has been in existence.  However, a lot of patients don’t really understand what the difference between a generic and the brand-name drug are.  A generic drug is a drug which is FDA-proven to be the equivalent of the brand-name version.  A generic drug must get FDA approval to be marketed, just like the brand version had to get.  As of now, there is no generic Viagra available – but that is about to change.
The patent on Viagra is about to expire in 2012.  When this happens, you can be sure that tens of manufacturers are going to rush to the FDA to get approval for their generic version of the leading ED treatment.  There are already hundreds of places that you can buy “generic” Viagra online, especially from foreign pharmacies.  Even though many of these generic versions of Viagra are completely regulated by strict health agencies in their respective countries, they do not have the approval to be sold in the US.  To be sold in the US, first the Viagra patent must expire and then the companies must prove their version of Viagra to be the generic equivalent.
Brand-name Viagra is currently really expensive (about $10 or more per pill).  When you see how low the generic Viagra costs at foreign pharmacies (often less than $1 per pill), it can become infuriating.  While the FDA in the US has its hands in just about every aspect of drug manufacture and distribution, it has absolutely no control over the prices that pharmaceutical companies set for medicines.  For this, the FDA leaves the free market.  However, so long as the patent on prescription drugs last, the pharmaceuticals companies have absolutely no legal US-based competition.
On the very same day that the Viagra patent expires, we can expect generic Viagra applications to hit the FDA desks.  The pharmaceutical company Pfizer has already made billions on Viagra sales and other companies will want to cash in on this.  Since all the research and marketing aspects of Viagra have already been done, the generic Viagra manufacturers have low overhead costs and can afford to sell Viagra at prices less than 90% of the brand-name version.
If you don’t want to wait for the FDA-approved Viagra generics to hit the market, you can order your medicines online.  There is always a bit of a risk when ordering generic drugs online though.  What to Expect When Generic Viagra Hits the MarketIt is crucial that the medicines are coming from countries with strong drug regulation agencies.  Try to find online pharmacies which dispense their drugs from any of these countries: Barbados, Australia, New Zealand, UK, Israel, EU, Mexico, India, Singapore, or Curacao.   Even with the high costs of shipping, you can still end up saving huge amounts buy buying generic Viagra.

What’s the Deal with Generic Viagra?


Whats the Deal with Generic Viagra?Unfortunately, if you are living in the US, there are absolutely no generic versions of Viagra available to you – at least legally.  The US has very strong prescription drug laws which tend to favor the pharmaceutical companies rather than the rights of patients.  Because of this, the pharmaceutical companies get to monopolize the prescription drug market and charge what they want for drugs like Viagra.
The patent rights on Viagra expire in 2012.  That means patients will finally be able to access generic Viagra in the US.  Generic Viagra must undergo a rigid FDA approval process just like the brand-name drug.  That means you can count on generic Viagra to be completely safe as well as effective.  According to US regulations, generic drugs must be biochemically equal to the brand name drug.
Pfizer, the company which makes Viagra, has the right to set the prices of Viagra to whatever it wants.  As you would expect, they set the price in relation to the country it is being sold.  So, just like Coca Cola costs less in India than in the US, you can count on brand-name Viagra from India to be cheaper.  However, even brand-name Viagra which is sold from foreign pharmacies is never going to be as cheap as the generic version.
Not all countries allow pharmaceutical companies to monopolize the drug industry.  That is why you can find tested, approved versions of generic Viagra in many nations like India, Mexico, Barbados, Israel, and Singapore.  These countries also have very strict prescription drug laws which require manufacturers to keep very high standards for making Viagra.  The medicine also must go through testing to make sure it is safe as well as effective in treating ED.
When the FDA-approved generic drugs hit the market in the US, you will be able to easily buy generic Viagra at your local pharmacy or through a US online pharmacy.  Until then, you will need to buy generic Viagra from foreign pharmacies.  Unless you are heading on vacation, then you will probably be buying the generic Viagra online.
The first thing you need to look for in choose a good foreign online pharmacy is where they are dispensing the drugs from.  Note that, even if an online pharmacy operates out of the US, they are getting the generic drugs from a different country.  You will place your order through the online Whats the Deal with Generic Viagra?company.  Then, your order for generic Viagra gets sent to a pharmacy in India, Mexico, or another country.  Make sure that the order is coming from a country which has high medical drug regulations (like one of the countries listed above or westernized nations).  If an online pharmacy doesn’t list the location of the dispensing pharmacy, then you should ask them through their customer service rep.
Generic Viagra is usually about 90% cheaper than brand-name Viagra.  However, since it is coming from foreign countries, you can expect to pay high amounts for shipping.  That is why it is almost always the best deal to buy your generic Viagra meds in bulk from foreign online pharmacies.

Which is Better – Viagra or Cialis?


Which is Better – Viagra or Cialis?When eating oysters and getting sensual massages don’t work, it may be time to consider medical treatments for ED – erectile dysfunction.  In the past, the only choices men had were to either give up on sex or endure unpleasant treatments like penile implants or urethra injections.  Now, the first line treatment for ED is Viagra.
The realm of ED treatment got shaken up drastically though once Cialis hit the market.  Many men were taken in by the promises of Cialis to give results of up to 36 hours.  Compared to Viagra’s short effectiveness time of about 8 hours, Cialis seems like a wonder drug.  So, why are doctors and patients still preferring Viagra over Cialis?
Obviously, there are some situations in which you would not want long-lasting results from an ED treatment.  Even though Cialis is reported to last up to 36 hours, the effects can go on for up to 100 hours in some men.  Note that this does not mean you will have an erection for 3+ days!  It means that you will be able to get better erections during the period of effectiveness.
What the fine print of Cialis does not tell you is that erection quality diminishes with each hour after taking the ED pill.  So, you may be able to get an erection from Cialis after 36 hours but it may not be firm enough to have intercourse. You will then need to take another tablet of Cialis. There are some issues as to whether it is safe to take another large dosage (5 or more mg) of Cialis when the drug is still acting in the body.  This can lead to an increased occurrence of side effects.
While Cialis prevails over Viagra in terms of duration, most men do find that the 8+ hours of quality erections which are achieved by Viagra is more than adequate.  Since the medicine is quickly removed from the user’s body, it is safe to take another dose within 24 hours of the first dosage.  In clinical studies, almost all users reported the best quality of erection with Viagra.  The erections produced from Viagra were firmer and more rigid than those produced by Cialis.
None of the ED pills come close to Viagra in terms of safety.  By 2005 alone (Viagra was introduced in 1998), Viagra had been used by well over 23 million men.  Viagra has also undergone thousands of pre and post-marketing clinical studies for safety.  Cialis is also considered completely safe for Which is Better – Viagra or Cialis?almost all men.  Both of the drugs share the same precautions and warnings.  However, studies have shown that Cialis has a larger impact on the body’s PDE11 enzyme system.  It is currently unknown what, if any, negative results could occur from this impact.  PDE11 enzymes are linked to many different body functions, especially fertility.
If you are already using Viagra successfully, then it is best to continue on with your current treatment.  For men who are just now looking into ED treatments, it is best to talk to your doctor about whether Viagra or Cialis is better for your lifestyle.

What the Studies on Female Viagra Have to Say


What the Studies on Female Viagra Have to SayWhen Viagra came out, millions of men couldn’t have been happier.  A treatment was finally available for ED and they could get their sex lives back on track!  However, many of their female counterparts were not so excited about the partners’ sudden potency.
With the advent of Viagra, many women suddenly found themselves not being able to keep up with the men.  At the time, no one was even thinking about a female Viagra.  All throughout history, there has been a huge disparity between the way women and men’s sexual health is viewed.  When a man cannot get an erection, then it is considered a physical condition which requires treatment.  For women, on the other hand, there are no obvious signs of a condition.  Women do not get erections and can even perform sex without physical/emotionally readiness.
Doctors will tell you, however, that there ARE signs of female sexual dysfunction.  Just like men experience a rush of blood to the penis, women also experience a rush of blood to the vagina which causes an increase in sensitivity.  Women also experience increased lubrication and other less-noticeable (compared to erection) signs of physical sexual readiness.  Still, when a woman is not “in the mood”, it is usually attributed to her having a low libido – not sexual dysfunction.
New studies into female Viagra are unearthing some startling results.  First of all, it seems that sexual dysfunction is much more prevalent in women than in males.  Not only do the conditions like heart disease and diabetes affect men’s sexual function, but they affect women too.  Women also experience sexual dysfunction as related to hormone changes during menopause.
One of the earliest studies into female Viagra included only women who were undergoing menopause or had had hysterectomies.  During the study, the women who took the female Viagra experienced an increase of blood flow to the vagina, increased vaginal lubrication, and also increased sensitivity during sex.  The beneficial results were significantly higher than in the group of women who had taken the placebo pill.
Even though the FDA has not yet approved a female version of Viagra, women are not waiting for treatment.  One of the most famous supporters of female Viagra is Kim Cattrall.  The Sex and the City actress openly told reporters about her experience taking Viagra and how it enhanced her What the Studies on Female Viagra Have to Saysexual life.  Even though spokespeople for Pfizer are reluctant to make any promises about their continuing studies into female Viagra, they readily admit that the results are encouraging.
It may be years before a female Viagra meets the FDA’s standards for medications.  Part of these standards also requires a drug to be proven effective.  With females, it is hard to gauge the benefits of Viagra as female sexual dysfunction has various symptoms.  Those who don’t want to wait for the female version of Viagra can purchase the “pink pill” from many of the manufacturers who are selling it already to millions of women worldwide through online pharmacies.

Where to Safely Get Viagra without a Prescription


Where to Safely Get Viagra without a PrescriptionIf you want to get Viagra in the United States, you will need to have a prescription.  This can mean time-consuming, embarrassing and expensive visits to the doctor.  However, what most men don’t realize is that you can easily and safely get Viagra without a prescription or without ever having to meet with a doctor.
Even the strictest prescription drug agencies, such as the FDA and Health Canada, unanimously agree that Viagra is safe for almost all men.  Because Viagra is a non-controlled medicine, then rules about distributing it are very lax.  Several years back in the UK, many pharmacies even started offering Viagra without a prescription to men who had short consultations with the pharmacist beforehand.
This consultation system proved so successful for supplying Viagra to men without a prescription that it inspired a wave of remote consultant pharmacies online.  These online pharmacies have a licensed doctor on staff.  You either have a chat session with the doctor or submit a form with all your medical history.  Then, the doctor decides whether or not you should be given Viagra without a prescription from your regular doctor.  Many of these remote consultant pharmacies online are completely approved by the FDA and meet international standards for prescription drugs.
Using a remote consultant pharmacy to get Viagra without a prescription is by far the safest method.  Almost all of these approved online pharmacies have a system in which the on-staff doctor will get paid regardless of whether your order is approved or declined. This is how they protect themselves from medical malpractice suits. Most of the time, the doctors which work for the online pharmacies have their own practices and just spend a few hours weekly reviewing the Viagra or other drug orders.  This is a good source of extra income for them.  It also helps the online pharmacy get legitimate sales and saves the customers money on doctor’s fees.
One of the problems with many US-based remote consultant pharmacies is that you can only get the brand-name form of Viagra.  That is because they may use pharmacies from the US to dispense the medicines.  Currently, there is no legal form of generic Viagra available in the US (though that Where to Safely Get Viagra without a Prescriptionwill soon change when the Viagra patent expires).  Since brand-name Viagra can cost up to $15 per tablet, it can be very expensive to treat your ED.  To make matters worse financially, many online pharmacies will charge you a medical review fee.
Because of the high costs associated with brand-name Viagra, many men are turning to foreign pharmacies to get their medicine instead.  In many countries, such as Singapore, Mexico, India, and Eastern Europe, you do not need a prescription for Viagra at all.  These countries also have approved many generic forms of Viagra which are proven to be the biochemical equivalent of brand-name Viagra. By ordering Viagra online from one of these countries, you will be able to get it without a prescription and save considerably.  However, do note that about 1% of prescription drugs coming into the US do get confiscated by customs.  If this happens, a customs official will call you to come open your package for inspection.

The Facts on Viagra and Blindness


The Facts on Viagra and BlindnessIn 2005, the FDA added a warning to Viagra saying that it may result in NAION, a condition in which sudden blindness occurs.  This led to a panic amongst the millions of Viagra users who now had to face the idea of becoming blind while enjoying the benefits of their ED treatment.  However, at the same time the FDA put on this warning, they also mentioned that the blindness could be caused by the same condition as ED.
If you are confused about what to think, don’t worry – you aren’t alone.  The federal health care officials aren’t so sure what to make of the blindness scare either.  The condition that they are worried about is called NAION, or Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy.  It occurs when the optic nerve doesn’t get enough blood and become damaged, resulting in blindness in one or both eyes.
Even NAION experts aren’t so sure what causes the condition.  They do, however, know that people with certain “crowded” optic nerves are at higher risk.  A crowded optic nerve means that the nerve is almost as large as the hole which opens it to the anterior of the eye.  Also, people with high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol are also at higher risk of NAION.  These happen to be the same conditions which can cause erectile dysfunction.
The reason that health officials linked Viagra and other ED treatments with NAION is because the blindness occurred within about 36 hours of taking the ED pill.  There have been fewer than 50 reports of NAION occurring from Viagra, Cialis and Levitra.  Considering that millions of men have taken these ED treatments worldwide, the chances of getting NAION from Viagra are very, very slim.  Also, it is not definite that these few cases of NAION even occurred due to the ED treatment.  NAION will occur in 1000-6000 people every year in the US alone.
If you are taking Viagra, you should know that there is a very minute chance that you could experience blindness as a side effect.  However, to be on the safe side, you may want to visit your optometrist to determine whether you have a crowded optic nerve as this could make NAION more likely.  In the rare event that NAION does occur, you should get emergency medical treatment right away. If treated right away with cortisteroid, many patients are able to experience a vast improvement in the condition.
The Facts on Viagra and Blindness
It is important that you realize that Viagra can also have a short-lasting effect on the retina.  This effect is common in Viagra users (up to 3% in clinical studies) and caused temporary changes to vision.  Some of the changes included blurry eyesight, seeing blue tints, or having trouble distinguishing between blues and greens.  Even though this side effect can be disconcerting, you should know that it is NOT serious.  The vision changes have nothing to do with NAION (NAION deals with the optic nerve, these changes have to do with the retina).

Goldie Hawn & HBO Bring Viagra Back into the Spotlight


Goldie Hawn & HBO Bring Viagra Back into the SpotlightJust when you thought all the Viagra hype had died down, the magic blue pill is coming back into the spotlight.  This time, it isn’t news about curing altitude sickness or how senior sex can prevent heart disease: it is a brand new HBO series called “The Viagra Diaries.”
The HBO series is based off of the book by the same title which was written by Barbara Rose Brooker.  Goldie Hawn plays the lead character, a 65 year old women who suddenly finds herself single after her husband leaves.  Since “The Viagra Diaries” is to be produced by Darren Star (the force behind Sex and the City), we can count on it to be full of witty puns and insight into senior sexuality.
Even if you aren’t into the idea of a TV show revolving around the wonders of Viagra, the new series does show how far we’ve come in the past decade.  Before Viagra, no one talked about erectile dysfunction and how it can devastate a man’s confidence, health and overall well-being.  Since the magic blue pill gained FDA approval and hit the market, sexuality has never been the same.  Now, even grandpas can enjoy a healthy sex life and they don’t need to feel bad about it.
Despite the fact that Viagra has already been so widely used and is a household name, many men are still suffering with ED in silence.  After all, no one wants to tell their doctor that their penis is not cooperating.  The following inquiries can be even more embarrassing.  The fact that “The Viagra Diaries” is coming out about the same time as generic Viagra will hit the market is sure to make a big splash.  Not only will Viagra be put on the spotlight again, but it will also become about 90% cheaper.
For all the men out there who are still apprehensive about getting a Viagra prescription, you may want to look into a system called remote consultation.  The FDA has deemed Viagra safe enough to be taken without ever having to see a doctor face-to-face.  Instead, you go to an approved online pharmacy and submit a form with your symptoms and medical history.  A licensed doctor takes a look at the information and decidesGoldie Hawn & HBO Bring Viagra Back into the Spotlightwhether or not you should use Viagra.  Aside from the fact that this method of getting a Viagra prescription is discreet, it is also cheaper because you save on the doctor’s visit costs.
You can also buy Viagra online from many foreign pharmacies which do not require you to have a prescription at all.  These pharmacies are also the cheapest sources of Viagra and often carry generic Viagra.  As the prevalence of Viagra in the media is showing us, erectile dysfunction is nothing to be ashamed about and it is healthy to have an active sex life after 60.  So, there is no reason not to talk to your doctor about taking Viagra.

Do You Need Viagra or a Libido Booster?


Even after a decade of being on the market, most people still don’t realize that Viagra has nothing to do with libido.  What Viagra does is improve erectile function.  This is where it gets a bit confusing though.  After all, doesn’t libido have to do with erection?
The process of getting an erection is actually very complicated and relies on various factors including libido and physical health.  For erection to occur, first a male must be sexually stimulated.  This occurs in the brain and then triggers the release of nitric oxide in the penis.  The nitric oxide then causes another chemical reaction which ultimately makes the smooth muscle tissue in the penile cavity relax and dilate.  Once the penile cavity is relaxed, blood rushes in and causes erection.
Without sexual stimulation to trigger the release of nitric oxide, the erection process will not be able to occur.  Also, if nitric oxide levels aren’t kept up, then the erection won’t be maintained.  To become sexually stimulated, a man must have a healthy nervous system.  Many factors can interfere with libido such as stress, depression, and fatigue.  Medications which act upon the nervous system, like antidepressants, are also notorious for reducing libido.
If you are unable to get an erection because of one of these libido-related problems, then Viagra will not be able to help.  Contrary to belief, Viagra does not actually have anything to do with the healthy libido needed to get sexual stimulation underway.  Instead, Viagra stops erections from being deteriorated by physical problems.
Viagra inhibits an enzyme called PDE5.  This enzyme is responsible for causing penile cavity cells to contract.  Since erection depends on the penis cavity being relaxed so blood can flow, PDE5 will stop erections from occurring or lasting.  There are many reasons why PDE5 levels can become unbalanced.  Diabetes is a major contributor as well as heart disease, smoking and age.  Viagra can treat erectile dysfunction when it is caused by any of these conditions.  It will NOT, however, treat ED caused by low libido.
Do You Need Viagra or a Libido Booster?
So, how do you tell if you need Viagra or a libido enhancer?  If you are unable to get emotionally aroused at all, then you are having a libido problem.  Even if you take Viagra, it will not cause you to become erect because the entire process of erection relies on sexual stimulation.  However, if you are in the mood and psychologically craving sex but your penis isn’t responding, then you have erectile dysfunction.
The good news is that erectile dysfunction is a physical condition which can easily be treated with Viagra.  The medicine will not make you magically get an erection.  Instead, it will improve your quality and duration of erection after you have become sexually stimulated.  It is common, however, for men to experience a combination of low libido and erectile dysfunction.  That is why it is important to talk to your doctor about treating both of these erection problems at once.