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.

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.