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Affecting 30 million of the US adult male population, erectile dysfunction (ED) is a very real and serious epidemic that’s often kept under wraps by the very people suffering from the condition.
This sexual dysfunction is characterized by a persistent inability to get an erection going—or maintain it for a long enough time to satisfy a couple’s sexual needs.
As debilitating as this condition is, there are a plethora of ways men can overcome this treatable condition. One common method is by taking ED medications like Viagra.
Viagra, or sildenafil, is a medication often prescribed to help people overcome short-term erectile problems. While this medication can work as intended when taken in appropriate doses to reduce the symptoms and signs of erectile dysfunction, taking it alongside other drugs or vices may exacerbate symptoms.
That said, the question then arises: does Viagra and excessive alcohol consumption bode poorly for a male patient’s health?
The answer, in short, is yes—there are severe risks men should be aware of when the person drinks heavily and takes Viagra simultaneously.
However, mixing Viagra and alcohol doesn’t immediately create a destructive combination. Here are some facts about this underlying connection.
5 Critical Facts to Know about Taking Viagra and Drinking Alcohol
Here are five important facts you need to know about alcoholic drinks and Viagra (or sildenafil citrate).
1. The onset time of Viagra is unaffected by alcohol
If you want to drink alcohol before getting intimate in the bedroom, research has shown that there’s no immediate, adverse risk when consuming alcohol minutes before taking Viagra.
In the study, participants took 100 mg of Viagra—the highest recommended dose of this pill—and drank the standard 750 mL amount of red wine.
For three hours, the researchers didn’t note any significant interaction among the participants who underwent the study and participated in sexual intercourse.
The participants were able to sustain erections and have sex.
While these results look promising, it doesn’t take into account the quality of the sexual experience, so take this study with a grain of salt.
2. Viagra and alcohol have conflicting effects on blood flow
Viagra is part of a class of medications called PDE5 inhibitors. In essence, this drug aids in prolonging erectile function and decreasing high blood pressure, which can damage blood vessels.
Alcohol, especially when taken in copious amounts, may counteract Viagra’s primary function. This is because alcohol is a central nervous system depressant—which can lead to the slow but steady erosion of the blood vessel’s inner lining.
Due to this combined interaction, it can be said that the effects of alcohol remove the positive effects of Viagra.
For people with erectile dysfunction, this could translate to a frustrating experience due to the inability to get it going in bed for both you and your partner.
3. Alcohol and Viagra can exacerbate pre-existing health conditions
A not-so-fun fact: both alcohol and Viagra can play a role in worsening a few common health conditions.
The most significant health risk that these two variables can worsen is cardiovascular disease.
Constant overconsumption of alcohol can increase the risk of men developing a heart attack episode.
And while taking Viagra doesn’t induce heart attacks directly, it can interfere with blood pressure and cause a host of cardiovascular problems like low blood pressure.
Another condition that can develop from alcohol and Viagra abuse is priapism.
Overconsumption of alcohol can lead to ischemic priapism—or a condition that causes a long-term and often painful erection.
Similarly, Viagra abuse can also cause this same problem.
When you abuse both substances, the risk for priapism gets higher, thus increasing the chance of you visiting an ER.
4. Viagra and alcohol have overlapping side effects
Here’s a fact that may make you rethink pairing Viagra with a night of drinks: both substances can induce similar side effects. This can potentially amplify the negative outcomes when taken together.
For instance, common side effects of Viagra include:
- Headaches
- Flushing
- Dizziness
- Abnormal vision
- Gastrointestinal issues
Alcohol is notorious for causing dizziness, headaches, GI issues, and flushing as well.
When taken within the same period, you may potentially double the risk of experiencing these uncomfortable and sometimes distressing side effects.
The dangers lie not only in their respective side effects but also in their synergistic potential to exacerbate the severity and duration of these side effects.
Thus, if you want to remain safe from any adverse hemodynamic interaction, it’s best to tread on the safe side and avoid excessive alcohol intake.
5. Alcohol dependency promotes over reliance on Viagra
Men who chronically consume alcohol while simultaneously desiring to maintain an active sexual life often find themselves at a crossroads.
Chronic alcohol drinkers are at increased risk of provoking vascular damage that may cause and exacerbate erectile dysfunction. What’s worse, this condition could even lead to a host of other problems like premature ejaculation and worse sexual performance.
Going back to erectile dysfunction, an alcohol dependency can cause sufferers to look for ways to temporarily relieve themselves of their condition—and the little blue pill is one quick fix that many men turn to when the time calls for it.
With alcohol’s role as a vice and Viagra’s role as a presumably risk-free health fix, there’s a reinforcing pattern that can be noted in the use of both substances.
That said, Viagra shouldn’t be used as a band-aid for alcohol dependency, as drinking too much alcohol over an extended period can lead to an even harder time rising above health complications both in and out of the realm of sexual health.
Rise Above ED For Good with Medical Guidance From Tampa, Florida’s Top Men’s Clinic
While many men may drink alcohol and take Viagra on occasion, alcohol dependence can present immediate health risks that can interfere with sexual function.
As such, it’s important to get in contact with professional doctors at a male health clinic like ours at Prestige Men’s Medical Center in Tampa to follow medical best practices to help keep your erection healthy long term.
In addition to ED treatment, we also offer hormone therapy, testosterone treatment, and premature ejaculation treatment for patients where applicable based on individualized symptoms, medical history, and exam results.
Schedule a consultation with us today, your initial consultation and first treatment are completely free.
