Does Viagra Effect Your Sex Drive?
Does Viagra effect your sex drive? Viagra is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction. It is a very effective medication in helping men suffering from erection problems. Viagra helps in getting and keeping an erection, but its mechanism of action does not directly affect sex drive.
This article will discuss how problems with sex drive may arise and what can be done to help. If the loss of sex drive is due to erection problems, then treatment with Viagra to address the erectile dysfunction may indirectly increase libido to normal by restoring the ability to take part in sexual activity.
What is a normal sex drive?
Sex drive or libido is a person’s interest or desire for sexual activity. A loss of libido or sex drive describes a lack of interest in sex. It is important to note that everyone’s libido is different. A ‘normal sex drive’ does not exist. A person’s interest in sex can be very much dependant on several factors in their life at that point, and so sexual desire will vary throughout a person’s lifetime. We will discuss some common causes of low libido in this article.
A loss of sex drive affects many people at some point in their lives. Some people can find their loss of interest in sex troubling or can find that it adversely affects relationships. It is possible to get help to help in these situations. Your GP will be able to help determine the root of the problem, which can range from physical causes to psychological or both.
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What are the causes of low sex drive?
- Relationship Issues
It is important to consider if there are any issues in your relationship which may be leading to concerns that cause a loss of sex drive.
For example, there may be frequent arguments or poor communication between partners, a loss of sexual attraction, a lack of trust and perhaps over-familiarity from a long-term relationship. It is possible to overcome these problems and get your libido back on track. If any of these relationship issues are a concern, then relationship counselling may be beneficial. Relationship counselling can help couples communicate more effectively with each other to get to the source of any problems or conflict and help move through these problems.
- Stress, Anxiety or Depression
Stress, anxiety, or depression are common causes of a low sex drive. Your GP can help advise on the best way to deal with any of these problems.
- Age
It is common to have reduced sexual desire with increased age. One reason for this may be age-related changes in hormone levels that are involved in sexual response. Studies have shown that the relationship between the sex drive and the factors of ageing, levels of sex hormones and erectile function is complex. Therefore, if a decrease in sex drive is becoming distressing for a person they should go to their GP for advice and possibly further investigation of any health issues that can be resolved.
- Long-Term Medical Conditions
A long-term medical condition may affect libido. This can be due to the physical effect of the condition on the body, or the emotional strain placed on the mind. People who suffer from heart disease, diabetes mellitus and an underactive thyroid and several other medical problems can often find that these conditions are associated with a lower sex drive.
Along with the actual physical medical condition, the medication used to treat many long-term health issues can cause a change in sex drive.
Certain medications used to treat many conditions including high blood pressure, depression, seizures, or an enlarged prostate can affect a person’s sex drive.
Again, if a person is worried about a reduced sex drive possibly due to medication then always discuss the issue with the GP. The GP will be able to advise on the best way forward.
- Alcohol and Drugs
Excess alcohol consumption can cause a low libido. Health recommendations advise not to regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week. If a person is worried about how much alcohol they drink, then their GP can always advise on the best course of action to help.
Drug misuse can also cause a reduced sex drive.
- Physical sexual problems
If a man is suffering from physical problems that make sexual activity difficult such as ejaculation problems or erectile dysfunction then this may lead to a reduced sex drive. These issues can lead to performance anxiety which can reduce sex drive.
If appropriate erectile problems can be treated with Viagra. By increasing erection function and allowing a normal sexual activity to occur Viagra can help ease performance anxiety caused by erectile dysfunction. This may indirectly help restore sexual desire.
Viagra as a treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Viagra contains the drug Sildenafil, it is a popular and effective treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Viagra was the first oral drug to be released to treat erectile dysfunction. It has been available since 1998, with over 64 million men being prescribed it around the world since then. It has been shown that effective treatment of erectile dysfunction with Sildenafil medication can increase a man’s psychosocial quality of life.
Viagra is a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, so called because of its mechanism of action in the body.
What the mechanism of action of Viagra?
Viagra works by increasing penile blood flow during sexual stimulation. The increase in blood flow leads to improved penile function in getting and maintaining an erection.
Viagra causes this action in the body through PDE-5 inhibition. This prevents the breakdown of cGMP in the penis and so there is an increase in the level of cGMP in the tissue. Increasing cGMP causes the smooth muscle to relax and with that increased arterial blood flow. Increase in blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation allows an erection to occur.
How do I find out if Viagra will help me?
A consultation with a Doctor or Pharmacist is necessary to assess if Viagra is the most suitable treatment. The Doctor or Pharmacist will assess all troubling symptoms along with their possible causes and medical history. Certain medical conditions or concurrent drugs for other health concerns mean Viagra may not a suitable treatment. The Doctor or Pharmacist will advise on the best course of action for a patient.
Possible treatments to help restore sex drive?
As discussed in the article, there are many factors that affect libido. Physical, psychological or a combination of both factors. Discussion with GP about troubling changes in sex drive is the best option to find out the root of the problem. Positive changes the GP may recommend include: –
- Positive lifestyle choices:
- Regular exercise, too little or over-exercising can lead to reduced libido.
- Eat a healthy balanced diet i.e. a wide range of food in the right proportions. Ensuring to eat five fruits and vegetables every day, eating enough fibre, drinking plenty of fluids and keeping any sugar, fat, and salt to a minimum.
- Reducing stress and anxiety. Deal with stress and anxiety in a healthy, appropriate way. Using alcohol to reduce stress can lead to reduced libido.
- Do not drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week.
- Do not misuse drugs.
- Counselling.
Through discussion with the GP, implementing positive lifestyle choices and any other recommendations by the GP then it is possible to address sex drive problems. So, if you are worried or affected by changes in libido be rest assured that many people go through this problem. A chat with the GP can help find the underlying cause and help return to more normal sexual activity.
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References
- https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/male-sexual-problems/#loss-of-sex-drive
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2586969/
- https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/sexual-and-reproductive/loss-of-libido
- https://www.relate.org.uk/relationship-help/help-sex/sex-common-problems/we-have-different-sex-drives
- https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/sildenafil.html
Mens Pharmacy is not liable for the currency or accuracy of the information contained in this blog post. For specific information about your personal medical condition, please contact our doctors or pharmacists for advice on [email protected].