Mr. Zhang, a 39-year-old father of a happy family, has recently been considering adding a new member to his family. However, he faces an embarrassing problem: sexual dysfunction. Every time he tried to get intimate, Mr. Zhang felt powerless, and even basic erections became a problem. This not only frustrated his partner, but also made Mr. Zhang feel deeply remorseful.
In order to solve this problem, Mr. Zhang did not choose a hospital for treatment, but went to the pharmacy to buy sildenafil (commonly known as "Viagra") for self-treatment. After taking it, he noticed that his condition improved, but with it came concerns about drug dependence.
The truth about "Viagra" addiction is revealed, and what are the potential risks of long-term use?
Viagra is a popular drug for erectile dysfunction with the main ingredient sildenafil, which promotes vasodilation and enhances blood flow to the penis by inhibiting phosphatase-5 (PDE-5). Although Viagra is not an addictive substance, long-term use may lead to drug tolerance, requiring more doses to achieve the same effect, increasing potential health risks.
Common side effects of Viagra include headaches, flushing, muscle pain, etc. More serious side effects may involve heart problems, including an increased cardiovascular risk. For example, for men treated for prostate cancer, the use of Viagra may increase heart attack and mortality. In healthy people, even short-term use may cause myocardial ischemia, which may lead to myocardial fibrosis and deterioration of cardiac function with long-term use.
The extensive vasodilating effect of Viagra on blood vessels may pose risks to the cardiovascular system, such as hypotension and angina, especially for patients with heart disease. In addition, Viagra may also be associated with retinal damage, and although a direct link to acute non-arterial ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) has not been clearly proven, long-term use may lead to long-term retinal damage.
While using Viagra, patients should pay close attention to their health and consult a doctor promptly if they experience any abnormal symptoms. Especially for patients with a history of heart disease, it should be fully discussed with the doctor before use to ensure safety. At the same time, the use of Viagra should not mask the underlying health problem but should be used as an aspect of treating erectile dysfunction.
Will it be worse after stopping the drug? Will the new function be reduced after taking Viagra and stopping the drug?
The answer is no. The mechanism of action of commonly referred to male sexual function improvement drugs, such as Viagra, does not target the central nervous system, but directly acts on the cavernous tissue of the penis. An erection of the penis relies on the dilation of blood vessels so that more blood can flow into the penis, causing the corpora cavernosa to swell and achieve an erection. However, patients with sexual dysfunction have problems with their regulatory function in this process. The use of Viagra can help such patients achieve a normal erection, and by maintaining the congestion of the corpora cavernosa, it is able to increase the blood supply and oxygen supply to the smooth muscles, thereby reducing the atrophy of smooth muscle cells. Therefore, Viagra is effective in improving sexual dysfunction. Even after stopping the drug, most patients maintain good sexual function for a longer period of time without deterioration. In addition, the use of drugs not only improves erection status, which significantly improves the quality of sexual life of patients, but also helps to eliminate psychological stress such as nervousness, anxiety and fear.