If Viagra is not working as it should or has stopped working, there may be some steps you can take to give the drug the best chance of working. Lifestyle changes and working with a therapist can also help.

Some people have had success with the "little blue pill" (also known as Viagra) and find that it is enough to solve their problemerectile dysfunction (ED). However, many others find that Viagra never works for them or gradually stops working after successful use.
Why does Viagra work for some and not for others? We examine the causes and offer options for you to try.
Arousal is a complex combination of factors – from physical reactions to mood and emotions – so it's important to understand the physiology of erection. And it can help you understand why Viagra might not work.
"Erections occur when there is a significant increase in blood flow to the corpora cavernosa of the penis compared to blood flow," he said.S. Adam Ramin, dr. med., urological surgeon and medical director of Urology Cancer Specialists.
According to Ramin, to achieve a net increase in blood flow, these four critical steps must be taken:
- First, the nerves in the pelvis must send neurotransmitters to the arteries in the penis that control the increased blood flow.
- Second, the arteries must respond to the nerve's command by expanding in diameter to allow for increased blood flow.
- Third, the erectile, spongy bodies of the penis must be compliant and able to stretch and elongate to accommodate the increased blood flow.
- Finally, the veins in the penis must allow a net increase in blood flow by closing their release valves to keep blood in the penis.
"Viagra works at the arterial level by increasing the command of neurotransmitters to cause dilation and increase flow through the arteries," Ramin said.
But if there's a problem with any of these four steps on the road to an erection, Ramin says Viagra won't work.
What causes erectile dysfunction?
The causes of ED are complex and can include both mental and physical aspects. Erections are caused by a complicated combination of:
- physical mechanisms
- sensations
- your feelings
did that help
Several factors can affect the effectiveness of Viagra. That includes:
- if youTake Viagra
- how do you understand that?
- What happens in your body when you take it?
According to the American Urological Association, the cause is improper use of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors.56 out of 81 ranktreatment failure.
Here are common mistakes to avoid and what you can do to ensure Viagra has the best chance of working.
1. Avoid taking Viagra with a large or fatty meal
The level of Viagra in the blood reaches its peak an hour after you swallow the pill on an empty stomach. According to Ramino, if you eat a large or high-fat meal and then take Viagra, the drug loses its potency and it may take longer for the effects to appear.
2. Avoid taking Viagra with alcohol
Alcohol consumption, especially chronic alcohol consumption, can contribute to ED. If Viagra loses its effectiveness, you can think about itReduce or eliminate alcoholto see if that helps.
3. Don't expect Viagra to work a few minutes before sex
"If you take Viagra and try to have sex right away," Ramin said, "it won't work."
"The optimal way to take this medicine is an hour before sex on an empty stomach, without alcohol in the body," explained Ramin.
4. Don't expect Viagra to work on its own
Although Viagra has a powerful effect, it alone cannot cause an erection. You have to be sexually aroused for it to work.
5. Check your testosterone levels
Viagra and other PDE5 inhibitors do not work well if your testosterone levels are too low.
Testosterone therapy in addition to or instead of ED medications may be a treatment to consider. Your doctor should be able to test your testosterone levels and evaluate them with you.
What happens if Viagra does not work after taking it?
(Video) 4 tips you MUST try when Viagra doesn’t work
What happens if Viagra does not work after taking it?
Be sure to use Viagra in different scenarios
If you've taken Viagra more than five times in an optimal situation and it hasn't worked, then Ramin says it may not be the right treatment for you. However, before you decide that Viagra is not for you,dr. Myles SparWe recommend using it at least once when you masturbate alone to make sure it's not a relationship issue.
You may need to try Viagra up to 10 times just to get familiar with the steps of using it, how it feels and how it can affect you.
Talk to your doctor about your treatment so he can adjust the dose, make suggestions and help you find the right solution.
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Spar, who is the chief physicianstate of the vault, said that if Viagra doesn't work, it may mean the problem isn't vascular — meaning that increasing blood flow isn't helping.
"It can happen because of neuropathy or other problems," he said.
Even if you've been able to get or keep an erection while using Viagra, you may find that it doesn't work as well. But before you give up on prescribing Viagra, it's important to consider why it may no longer be as effective.
Viagra may become less effective over time due to changes in your body or health. If that happens, Spar said, you can try to switch to another drug in the same class (that is, a different one).PDE5 inhibitor).
Yes, if Viagra doesn't help, you can try another PDE5 inhibitor - but don't expect rock star results.
Although switching to another drug is sufficient, it is not always a guarantee. Your doctor can help you decide if another PDE5 is worth trying.
In addition to Viagra, there are other oral medications that are considered the first line of treatment for ED, according toRückblick 2016.,contain:
- Tadalafil(Cialis),
- Vardenafil HCL (Levitra)
- Avanafil (Stendra)
The four PDE5 inhibitors are the only oral medications approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of ED.
Tadalafil could be a good choice in this case.
One of the reasons this PDE5 inhibitor is favored by many people, including healthcare providers who treat ED, is that tadalafil has a longer window of action, meaning you can take it in a daily dose.
This can remove some of the psychological aspects and insecurities that come with taking the pill before sex. It can also help you find out how effective PDE5 inhibitors are for you.
Viagra may not be the most effective drug for everyone, either because of the dosing schedule, the way it works, or the medical conditions for which it is not suitable.
Here are some of the most common physical and emotional reasons why Viagra may not work.
nerve dysfunction
According to Ramin, people with diabetes who have neuropathy or who have had prostate surgery and nerve damage may find that Viagra doesn't work.
Atherosclerotic heart disease
If Viagra does not work, it may mean that blood flow in the penile artery is severely restricted. That could be a sign of generalized atherosclerosis, or plaque in the arterial system, Spar said, which is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke.
People with atherosclerotic heart disease have arteries that are clogged with cholesterol plaques or have lost elasticity, Ramin said. In this situation, the arteries do not respond to Viagra since it is a vasodilator. This means that it is a chemical that causes the artery to widen or dilate.
Cavernous disease of the penis
In people with an injury to the body of the penis orPeyronie's disease, the erectile tissue may not be able to handle the increased blood flow, Ramin said.
Venous leakage
If your valves are leaking, Ramin says blood can flow more quickly into your penis, but it will leak out completely and won't stay long enough to cause an erection.
It is also possible that you can get an erection but cannot maintain it due to venous leakage.
One of the causes of ED due to venous leakage is Peyronie's disease, which affects the connective tissue in the penis.
Anxiety, depression, stress or relationship problems
Spar said another reason Viagra doesn't work for all anxiety is emotional health. From a neurotransmitter perspective, this can make sexual arousal more difficult.
The good news is that some of the things that can have the biggest positive effect on ED symptoms are over-the-counter measures you can take.
Make lifestyle changes a priority
In addition to medical procedures, it is important to consider lifestyle factors that play a role in ED. Common factors that can lead to conditions that affect blood flow include:
- lack of activity
- smoking habits
- emphasize
- drink alcohol
To improve your overall health and improve ED symptoms like blood flow, consider the following changes:
- Stop smoking.
- Reduce everyday stress.
- Control your weight with a healthy diet and regular activity.
- Do exercise and physical activity every day.
- Reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption.
Work with a urologist
They are thereMore possibilitiesto treat erectile dysfunction other than oral medications like Viagra, including:
- Pump for erectile dysfunction(penis or vacuum pump)
- Penile injection
- Surgery to inflate the penile prosthesis
- therapyfor emotional, psychological and ED-related problems
- Suppositories (Alprostadil)
Work with a therapist
No matter what treatment or medication you're taking for ED, talking to a licensed counselor can help you get the most out of your treatment and help you reduce stress, pressure, or anxiety—in the bedroom in general.
For example, sex therapists focus on intimacy, communication, relationships, and yes, sex.
Online search tools such as HealthlinesFindCare Tool, can help you find GPs and specialists in your area.
how did youbave ED, You are not alone. The inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sex can affect many people30 million men, ifølge Urology Care Foundation.
If Viagra doesn't work for you, there are things you can try to increase the chances that it will work. You can also try lifestyle changes or consult a urologist or therapist instead.
FAQs
Viagra no longer working? Advice and other options for ED? ›
There are several options to treat erectile dysfunction aside from oral medications like Viagra, including: erectile dysfunction pump (penis or vacuum pump) penile injections. surgery for an inflatable penile prosthesis.
What options do I have if Viagra doesnt work? ›- Vacuum Erection Device. To achieve an erection with the vacuum device, the man places a ring over the base of the penis, followed by a vacuum tube over the penile shaft. ...
- Penile Injections. Penile injections can be a good option for some patients with ED. ...
- Internal Penile Prosthesis.
Vardenafil (Levitra) is almost 10 times more biochemically potent than sildenafil, therefore a lower dose is needed to facilitate the penile erection, potentially resulting in less side effects. Selectivity is the ability of the drug to attach to the specific enzyme PDE 5 found in penile tissues.
What is the latest treatment for erectile dysfunction? ›Stem cell therapy has been used to treat everything from cancer to diabetes, so it's no surprise that it could also aid erections. During this treatment, cells extracted from the patient's own bone marrow are injected into the cavernosal tissue of the penis to restore the tissue.
What happens if I take 2 100mg Viagra? ›Never take more than 100 mg of Viagra in a 24-hour period. Too much Viagra can cause severe headache, low blood pressure, and orthostasis (drop in blood pressure when standing) that can lead to fainting. Higher doses can also cause priapism, a painful erection that lasts longer than 4 hours.
What is the strongest erectile dysfunction medicine? ›- Longest lasting: It is the longest lasting PDE5 drug for ED, typically lasting up to 36 hours, though some reports suggest it can last up to 72 hours.
- Longer-term use: It is possible to take a low dose of 2.5–5 mg once per day for a longer-term solution.
Recent studies have found that exercise, especially moderate to vigorous aerobic activity, can improve erectile dysfunction. Even less strenuous, regular exercise might reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction. Increasing your level of activity might also further reduce your risk.
Does Cialis get you harder than Viagra? ›So to answer the above question, no, Viagra would not necessarily give a stronger erection than Cialis, and vice versa. However, Cialis will last longer and can help achieve one or more erections for up to 36 hours. This is considerably longer than Viagra, which is typically effective for 4-6 hours.
What is the #1 erectile dysfunction pill? ›Sildenafil (Viagra).
This medication is most effective when taken on an empty stomach one hour before sex. It's effective for four to five hours or more if you have mild to moderate erectile dysfunction.
And BlueChew is our Editors' Choice for best ED treatment in 2023 for several additional reasons: BlueChew's medications (tadalafil, sildenafil, and vardenafil) are chewable, which eliminates the need for water to take them.
Why is my sildenafil not working? ›
Common physical causes of erectile dysfunction include heart disease, diabetes, nerve damage and high blood pressure. Hormonal issues, such as low testosterone, can also affect your level of sexual desire, which may stop you from getting an erection even with Viagra.
How can I make Viagra work better? ›- Avoid taking Viagra on a full stomach. ...
- Avoid consuming alcohol or drugs while taking Viagra. ...
- Take the recommended dose—and get the timing right. ...
- Get the timing right. ...
- Improve your overall health.
Because 100mg is the highest dose available, you should never 'double up' on tablets or take more than one in 24 hours. Sildenafil 100mg is the highest safe dosage you can take – if it is ineffective, you should try another ED treatment.
Does Cialis work better than Viagra? ›The biggest difference between Viagra and Cialis is the amount of time their effects last. Viagra remains effective for 4 to 6 hours, which offers ample opportunity to have sex on multiple occasions if you wish. However Cialis typically allows you to achieve erections for up to 36 hours after taking a tablet.
Can you take 2 Viagra pills at once? ›Because 100mg is the highest dose available, you should never 'double up' on tablets or take more than one in 24 hours. Sildenafil 100mg is the highest safe dosage you can take – if it is ineffective, you should try another ED treatment.
What can you take with Viagra to make it work better? ›The best way to take Viagra is either 1 hour before sex on an empty stomach or 2 hours after a meal to avoid a delay in effectiveness. You can take Viagra with a glass of water, but you can also take it with milk or a light snack. Keep in mind that taking Viagra with whole milk or food may impact its effectiveness.
Why would you not be able to take Viagra? ›have low blood pressure (hypotension) have a rare inherited eye disease, such as retinitis pigmentosa. have sickle cell anaemia (an abnormality of red blood cells), leukaemia (cancer of blood cells) or multiple myeloma (cancer of bone marrow) have a deformity of your penis or Peyronie's disease (curved penis)