Is your sexual partner trying Viagra for the first time? You may be curious as to how they’ll feel, if it’s safe, and how it may impact your intimate relationship. Here’s everything you need to know, as explained by the MedExpress experts.

What is Viagra?

Viagra contains the active ingredient sildenafil, a type of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor. There are other PDE5 inhibitor medications available, such as Cialis (tadalafil), Spedra (avanafil) and Levitra (vardenafil), but Viagra is possibly the most popular and best known, having been in use since the 1990s.

How does Viagra (sildenafil) work?

PDE5 inhibitors such as sildenafil work by relaxing the smooth muscle located in the blood vessels of the penis, helping improve blood flow and making it easier to achieve and maintain an erection. [1] It’s important to remember that these treatments don’t cause sexual arousal or increase desire, so your partner shouldn’t experience erections as a result of the medication unless they’re sexually stimulated.

How soon does Viagra start to work?

Some people may find that the medication starts to take effect within 30 minutes, but we recommend taking it one hour before planned sexual activity. It should then stay active for roughly 4 hours, meaning it will help you achieve an erection during that time when sexually stimulated. [2]

What happens if Viagra doesn’t work the first time?

There are a few factors that can impact the effectiveness of Viagra for erectile dysfunction. For the best results, your partner can follow these directions:

Avoid heavy meals. Eating a large, high-fat meal with Viagra can prevent its level of absorption, potentially making it less effective at treating erectile dysfunction. [3]

Limit alcohol intake. Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction [4], and counteract the benefits of treatments like Viagra.

Don’t eat or drink grapefruit. Consuming grapefruit juice is not recommended when using any PDE5 treatments, as it can impact the way the treatment is metabolised. [5]

Take it an hour before sex: For the best results, your partner should take Viagra around an hour before sex, as it tends to start working within 30 to 60 minutes, and lasts a couple of hours.

You can also support your partner with their erectile dysfunction treatment through open communication and understanding, which could help them overcome issues such as performance anxiety.

Are there any side effects of Viagra (sildenafil)?

Yes, like all prescription medications there are some risks of adverse effects. Common side effects your partner might experience include headaches, nausea (feeling sick), nasal congestion (stuffy nose) and stomach upset such as indigestion. [6]

Other potential side effects include muscle pain, facial flushing, or blurred vision. All of these are usually mild and wear off once the treatment is no longer active. To learn about how to manage these temporary effects, take a look at our blog here.

There are also a number of more rare, possibly severe side effects, and it’s important to look out for signs of these when your partner is taking Viagra, and contact 999 immediately if they occur. [7] They include:

Chest pain: If your partner experiences chest pain or heart attacks while using Viagra, seek medical attention immediately.

Allergic reaction: It’s possible to have an allergic reaction to sildenafil — signs of this include difficulty breathing or swelling.

Sudden vision loss: In rare cases, some people report sudden vision loss or abnormal vision.

Drop in blood pressure: Sildenafil can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure when combined with other drugs, for example blood pressure medication known as alpha blockers such as doxazosin, prazosin and alkyl nitrites, otherwise known as ‘poppers’.

Priapism: If your partner experiences a prolonged erection (lasting more than four hours), severe side effects, or any signs of a heart condition like difficulty breathing, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention.

Viagra has been thoroughly tested in clinical trials for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, but it’s essential to monitor how your partner responds, particularly if they have underlying medical conditions such as heart disease.

For detailed information on side effects, refer to the patient information leaflet that arrives with your treatment, and follow any specific advice from your healthcare provider.

How will Viagra affect my sex life?

Many couples report an improvement in their sex lives and sexual satisfaction after starting Viagra. [8] Here’s what other MedExpress users have said about their experience with Viagra (sildenafil) and other erectile dysfunction treatments:

“I was beginning to have slight erectile problems, but these are now well in the past due to taking the medication. I’m now experiencing very long lasting and powerful erections.” David, GB

“I had been unable to keep an erection whilst having intercourse with my partner so I decided to get some help. They made my erection last longer and even the length of intercourse had lasted longer.” Anon, GB

“Both myself and my wife are very satisfied…. as it stipulates, don’t eat too much before taking as this does have a slight effect” Stephen, GB

“My sex life is now back on track, thank you MedExpress” Paul, GB

“My wife is very happy.” Nick, GB

“It’s improved my love life considerably. Fantastic results” Dave, GB

“Sildenafil is excellent. It has the right effect with no side effects — it makes sex possible again. “ John, GB

Summary

Viagra is a treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED), and its active ingredient sildenafil works by increasing blood flow to the penis by relaxing the blood vessels. This allows for a firmer and longer-lasting erection when sexually stimulated.

When your husband or partner takes Viagra (sildenafil) for the first time, understanding how it works and what to expect can help both of you feel more prepared.

To learn more about erectile dysfunction treatments, head to MedExpress.

References

1. Dhaliwal A, Gupta M. PDE5 Inhibitor [Internet]. PubMed. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549843/
2. Sildenafil [Internet]. Medexpress.co.uk. 2024 [cited 2024 Sep 26]. Available from: https://www.medexpress.co.uk/clinics/erectile-dysfunction/generic-sildenafil
3. Sildenafil Patient Information Leaflet [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2022. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.7141.pdf
4. Li S, Song JM, Zhang K, Zhang CL. A Meta-Analysis of Erectile Dysfunction and Alcohol Consumption. Urologia Internationalis. 2021;105(11-12):969–85. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34521090/
5. Jetter A. Effects of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of sildenafil. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2002 Jan;71(1):21–9.
6. Sildenafil 50 mg film-coated tablets – Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) – (emc) [Internet]. www.medicines.org.uk. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/7141/pil#about-medicine
7. Sildenafil 50 mg film-coated tablets – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – (emc) [Internet]. www.medicines.org.uk. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/7141/smpc#gref
8. Mulhall JP, Jahoda A, Aviv N, Valenzuela R, Parker M. The impact of sildenafil citrate on sexual satisfaction profiles in men with a penile prosthesis in situ. BJU International [Internet]. 2003 Dec 17 [cited 2024 Sep 26];93(1):97–9. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14678377/