Does Viagra Actually Work? Find Out Now!

  • By: Editorial Team
  • Date: March 5, 2022
  • Time to read: 7 min.

Because it is generally thought of as a cure-all for sex-related conditions, many men often turn to the magic pill; Viagra to enhance their performance in the bedroom. But while millions of men and their partners across the globe have experienced the vast benefits of Viagra in their sex lives, there is not as much awareness of how Viagra actually works.

How does the little blue pill actually work? How effective is it? How fast does work, and how long does it start to work? As experts in the industry, we decided to delve deeper into the Viagra topic to find out. So, peruse the article and get to know more about Viagra:

So, what is Viagra?

Viagra is simply a medication commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction, a relatively prevalent health problem that currently affects over 150 million people across the globe. The brand-name prescription is available in blue pill form, whereas the generic sildenafil comes in a white pill.

How does Viagra work?

When you are sexually aroused, your body naturally releases nitric oxide, an important molecule that initiates a series of events that result in an erection. However, an enzyme known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) breaks down or inhibits certain chemicals involved in the erection process, preventing the desired effect.

And while there are numerous potential reasons why you could be experiencing erection problems or erectile dysfunction in general, PDE-5 inhibitors that block the action of this enzyme, such as Viagra, are usually used to reverse or improve erectile dysfunction symptoms.

To be more specific, Viagra work by relaxing your muscles and arteries around your penile region, allowing for more blood to reach the penis in particular. The combination of relaxation and enhanced blood circulation around your penile region ensures your penis is filled with blood, eventually leading to an erection.

how does viagra work
3D Illustration Concept of Male Reproductive System Anatomy

So, how long does it take for Viagra to work?

After orally taking the medication, it usually enters your system pretty fast and starts working between 30 and 60 minutes. This simply implies that you may want to take it anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours before intercourse or any other sexual activity. However, it’s important to note that Viagra only works when you are aroused!

How long does Viagra last?

As already explained, the blue pill will start working in your system between 30 minutes and 60 minutes after you take a dose of the drug. But most importantly, note that Viagra alone won’t trigger an erection. And you’ll need to be sexually aroused for it to work.

Viagra will remain active in your body for up to four hours. This simply implies that if you are sexually aroused, you should be able to have and maintain an erection within the first four hours after taking the drug. However, the drug will remain in your system for this long, it doesn’t necessarily imply that your erections should also last this long!

In fact, it is highly recommended that should you experience an erection that lasts more than four hours after taking the blue pill, you should act very fast and seek immediate medical attention.

Though very rare, Viagra can sometimes cause a condition known as priapism, which is characterized by long-lasting and sometimes painful erections. Priapism is a medical emergency that warrants prompt medical attention. If it’s not treated on time, it can easily result in significant damage to your penile tissues, which in turn, can lead to irreversible erectile dysfunction.

Does Viagra keep you hard after?

Viagra will only cause an erection if you are sexually aroused! Again, even if you attain an erection that is hard enough for penetration, the blue pill won’t stop you from losing your erection after you orgasm. All men lose erections after orgasming and then there will be a period when you won’t be able to get hard again.

This period is known as the refractory time, and it’s absolutely normal for this to happen. After this refractory session, which varies from one man to another in terms of duration, you should be able to achieve another erection if aroused again within Viagra’s working window. Read more about if Viagra makes you last longer.

How long does an erection last when taking Viagra?

Once again, let us reiterate that Viagra effects will only kick in when you are actually aroused. Simply put, you will not experience an erection if you aren’t feeling turned on! What’s more, you won’t have a constant erection either. Your penis will go down if you have either orgasmed or are not feeling turned on.

That aside, Viagra is most effective during the first four hours after taking it. However, this amazing drug can continue to give you an erection for quite a few more hours. It will stay in your system for nearly 8 hours, although after 4 hours, its effects will be significantly minimized.

Once you take the pill, on average, you can expect a hard erection that may last on average, 33 minutes depending on your age, dosage, and many other factors. If you are relatively older, your erections might be a little less compared to younger individuals.

Does Viagra work the first time?

Taking the blue pill for the first time can be an overwhelming experience because you really don’t know what to expect.

Even though Viagra’s success rate is quite high, it may not work for the first time you use it and it’s not guaranteed to always work. First and foremost, Viagra will only work if you are sexually stimulated or aroused.

Also, getting in the right frame of mind, feeling relaxed, and discussing your expectations with your sex partner can help boost the likelihood of Viagra working. And most importantly, it is always best to take Viagra on an empty belly, as food can impact the absorption of the tablet into your bloodstream.

Viagra usually comes in a dosage of 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg. The recommended dose for first-time Viagra users is 50mg. However, your doctor may adjust your dosage depending on your response to treatment, side effects, among others.

man happy

What happens after taking Viagra?

A popular belief surrounding Viagra use is that once you have taken it, it will automatically cause an immediate erection! But this is far from the truth. You need to be sexually stimulated and aroused for the pill to take effect. It usually takes nearly an hour of gentle masturbation or foreplay before you can experience an erection firm enough for penetration.

One particular study established that a firm erection may be realized with as little as 12 minutes of arousal and stimulation, but for most men, it can take an hour for an erection to occur.

Will Viagra make you bigger?

If you are currently suffering from erectile dysfunction and are unable to have an erection firm enough for penetration, Viagra may make your erection seem relatively bigger! However, it does not physically make your member bigger or larger. It only allows more blood to flow toward your penis, making your erections firmer and bigger than before, by ensuring your erection attains its full potential!

How long does Viagra take to peak?

The effect of the Viagra dosage you take will usually be at its peak within 30 minutes to 2 hours after using the pill. But as we explained earlier, Viagra effects can potentially last for at least 4 hours, so may be able to achieve multiple erections within this period.

How much Viagra should I take for fun?

Using Viagra for fun simply implies using the drug even if you are not an ED patient, which is not advisable. Taking Viagra when you don’t suffer from erectile dysfunction is highly dangerous and may not only have a devastating impact on your bedroom prowess, but your mental as well as physical health!

Experiencing erectile dysfunction symptoms can be a daunting experience. So why would you turn to ED medication to have a great time? Because of porn addictions and other unknown factors, a significant number of men have unrealistic expectations of their bedroom performance, and often view Viagra as the ultimate answer. However, the reality is that using Viagra recreationally can be a huge mistake!

Simply put, unless you are an ED patient and have a prescription from a legitimate source, you should never take Viagra just for fun. In case you didn’t know, there are multiple potential dangers associated with illegal Viagra use.

And while there are many risks associated with recreational Viagra consumption, the most crucial one every man should be aware of is that taking Viagra for fun can have a long-term impact on your sex life. According to a particular study, healthy men taking Viagra for fun can experience a significant reduction in erectile confidence. The results revealed that previously healthy men found it quite harder to erect without chemical intervention, increasing their vulnerability to early-onset psychogenic erectile dysfunction!

What does Viagra look like?

The actual Viagra table is a solid, diamond-shaped blue tablet featuring the name of the manufacturer, Pfizer, engraved on one side and the letters VGR 25, VGR 50, or VGR 100 imprinted on the other side of the tablet, showing the dosage of the pill.

viagra pills
Similar to the above

The Bottom line – Does Viagra Actually Work

As you may have realized, Viagra is a highly effective ED medication but only when used as prescribed. And while it can help you achieve an erection hard enough for penetration, don’t expect it to do all the work for you. You not only need to take it as directed, but you must also ensure you are sufficiently turned on while using the magic blue pill. Don’t hesitate to contact your doctor should you feel you aren’t getting the desired results or experience adverse effects.