Did you know only one third of men with erectile dysfunction seek treatment? Taking control of your sexual health and taking Viagra for the first time can feel daunting, but we’re here to help. Our experts walk you through how much Viagra to take the first time, how it affects you and how to get the best results.

Is Viagra safe?

If this is your first time trying Viagra, it’s normal to want to know if the drug is safe. The short answer is: yes, Viagra is safe. It’s been used to treat erectile dysfunction for over two decades. 

Some people may experience side effects with Viagra. Also, if taken under certain conditions or by people who have other health issues, it can cause adverse effects. That’s why you need a prescription for Viagra and most other kinds of ED treatment.

What happens when you take Viagra for the first time?

Viagra contains the active ingredient sildenafil, which is a type of drug called a PDE5 inhibitor.

At the base of your penis there are smooth muscles which surround your blood vessels. They’re normally contracted, and stop blood flowing into your penis.

When you’re aroused, a series of chemicals are released and send signals over your nervous system to cause the muscles to relax, allowing blood to enter. That is what causes an erection.

An enzyme called PED5 causes your smooth muscles to contract and makes your erection disappear when you’re no longer aroused. If you have erectile dysfunction, however, PED5 can stop you getting an erection even when you’re aroused.

Viagra or other ED treatments, suppress this enzyme, improving blood flow to your penis and helping you stay hard for longer. 

So, you’ve ordered Viagra online. What happens next?

• Consider a ‘trial run’

Some men choose to take a ‘trial run’ when taking Viagra for the first time. Instead of having sex with your partner, you might choose to take it on your own, just to see what it’s like.

• Talk with your partner

Communication is the key to good sex. If you feel comfortable, speak with your partner about your plans so you both feel prepared.

• Timing

Viagra normally takes 30-60 minutes to start working, so give it some time to feel the effects. It’s best to take it around an hour before sex. It’ll stay in your body for up to 4 hours, helping you get erections throughout that time.

In most cases, you’ll notice that your erections will remain hard as long as you want. You should also be able to have sex more often when on Viagra, because the ‘refractory period’ (the amount of time you need to wait between sexual activities) is often shorter.

How much Viagra should you take the first time?

Your healthcare provider will usually prescribe you a low starting dose of Viagra. It comes in three doses — 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg — the recommended starting dose is 50mg. The maximum dose is 100mg, but if you want a high starting dose, you need to be fit and have no other medical conditions.  

Does Viagra work every time?

Unfortunately, Viagra doesn’t work every time. While it has a high success rate for around 90% of men, for others it simply doesn’t work. If Viagra doesn’t work the first time you try it you shouldn’t give up immediately. Here are some points to consider:

• You might benefit from a higher dose than you’ve been prescribed — this can be requested from our clinical team.
• Alternatively, you may want to speak to our clinical team about trying other kinds of ED treatment.
• Viagra works when you feel aroused. So if you’re not turned on when you take it, it won’t work.

• You could be too stressed or anxious. While Viagra often works well for men whose ED is primarily psychological, it still may not work if you are feeling too stressed or anxious. In this case, you might want to consider combining medication with therapy.
• Viagra may not work if you are taking other kinds of medication, using illegal drugs or have other medical conditions.

If you’ve considered the points above, and Viagra still doesn’t work on the second or third time you take it, we recommend contacting your GP for more advice.

Side effects

While most people who take Viagra experience no side effects at all, there are some minor symptoms you may notice. 

Common side effects include:

• Skin flushes
• Slight change in vision (objects may appear to have a blue tinge)
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Upset stomach
• Muscle pain or back aches

There’s also a small chance you might develop a condition called priapism, where you have a painful erection that lasts for more than four hours. This usually happens because Viagra has interacted with another medication or illegal drug in your system. Seek urgent medical attention if this happens.

You should also contact a doctor if you experience any of these severe side effects:

• Chest pains
• Blurred vision, or vision loss
• Sudden hearing loss
• Fast heart rate
• High or low blood pressure
• Allergic reaction

Other tips for your first time Viagra experience

There are a number of things you can do to give yourself the best experience when you take Viagra for the first time. These include:

• Avoid eating when taking it

Viagra will work faster if you take it on an empty stomach. Avoid eating for at least a couple of hours before you take the drug. If you do eat, avoid high-fat foods or heavy meals.

• Avoid smoking, alcohol and recreational drugs

Smoking, drinking alcohol and illegal drugs are all known to cause ED, so it’s important to cut down on these. It’s also best not to take Viagra when you’ve been drinking as it may reduce the effects of the drug. You should avoid illegal drugs too, as this could cause a drug interaction and serious side effects. 

Make the most of your first time Viagra experience

Knowing what happens when you take Viagra for the first time can help you prepare for taking it. Soon, you’ll be able to have the kind of sex you want with complete confidence.

Find out what treatment is suitable for you on our website.

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