Erectile Dysfunction

Does Viagra Help Men Have Better Workouts

A popular ED drug like Viagra helps improve the erection function. It restores a healthy erection response by increasing the flow of blood to the penile. The effects of these drugs are temporary.

This drug increases blood circulation through the penile arteries. However, this effect is not restricted to the penile only. The effects of Viagra are experienced throughout the body.  

According to some discussions happening on social media forums like Reddit, this boost in blood flow might improve workouts. Due to this reason, many bodybuilding enthusiasts might be using Viagra before workout sessions to gain muscles faster.

Also, sportspersons as well might be using Viagra before stepping onto the field. It might enhance their sports performance. But to what extent is it true that Viagra encourages better workouts? Keep reading to find out.

What is Viagra?

Viagra medicines are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. These are branded pills. They contain Sildenafil Citrate as their active ingredient.

Sildenafil Citrate is the key component that comes under the class of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. It increases the flow of blood through the arteries by causing their dilation.

These are manufactured by a company called Pfizer. Viagra pills are the brand-name version of Sildenafil Citrate. They come in three doses, including 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg.

Viagra 25 mg is the lowest dose that takes care of mild impotence problems. Whereas 100mg is the highest one, which treats severe forms of erectile dysfunction.

In addition, Viagra medicines are not affordable to everyone. Since these are branded pills, they are priced too high. One can opt for a Viagra alternative like Malegra. It is also composed of Sildenafil Citrate and works as efficiently as Viagra.

How does Viagra work?

Viagra medicines work by temporarily increasing the flow of blood throughout the body. They boost the levels of a chemical known as nitric oxide (NO) in the body. Nitric oxide has vasodilation properties.

This chemical aids in the synthesis of cGMP, which is another chemical that relaxes the blood vessels. Cyclic GMP (cGMP) eases the muscle tensions in the blood vessels and causes vasodilation.

This relaxation boosts the blood supply through the blood vessels and improves their health and function. The effect of Viagra is felt throughout the entire body.

Viagra before a workout session

Viagra is primarily used to improve the erection function for better sexual performance. However, some men might think about using this drug for enhancing their workout.

Men might think about using Viagra as a workout supplement. The supplements that are generally used in combination with workouts contain nitric oxide as their key ingredient. This is why, men might consider using Viagra as a workout performance booster.

According to the Men’s Health website, a urologist named Jamin Bramhabhatt (also a professor at UCF College of Medicine) said that taking Viagra before workout sessions potentiates the person’s risk to adverse health effects.

Is Viagra before a workout safe?

Combination of Viagra and workouts might lead to effects such as:

  • Priapism: The condition that is characterized by prolonged and painful erections that last for more than 4 hours.
  • Blood pressure drop: The effects of Viagra together with workouts might cause sudden drop in the blood pressure.

Priapism can cause permanent damage to the penile. And decrease in blood pressure increases the risk of side effects and even heart attack.

Therefore, using Viagra to improve workout performance is not a good idea. It is a risky one. The purpose of Viagra is to improve the erection function. It must be taken as per the doctor’s prescription.

Using them for purposes other than ED, without discussing them with the doctor first, might increase your exposure to dangerous health effects.

Besides, Viagra medicines are not suitable for long-term use. This is why you must discuss it with your doctor first, as using Viagra for enhancing workout is not safe at all.

Alternative ways to boost nitric oxide in the body

Diet can be an excellent way of increasing the nitric oxide levels in the body. Foods that are rich in L-arginine and L-citrulline can be beneficial for raising the levels of nitric oxide. You can also consider using natural supplements for nitric oxide. 

To conclude

Using Viagra as a workout performance booster is full of risks. It is indeed a bad idea. Instead of improving workout, Viagra increases the person’s susceptibility to dangerous side reactions such as Priapism and low blood pressure. 

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