All You Wanted to Know About the Benefits of Taking Viagra

Erectile dysfunction (ED) can be a difficult topic to discuss, but if you are experiencing any changes in your ability to get or maintain an erection, talk to your physician. There may be solutions available that will help you treat your condition and resume your normal activity.

Viagra is one of the common ED medications prescribed by physicians. The top benefits of taking Viagra daily include:

• Improves ability to urinate
• Reduces progression of erectile dysfunction
• May prevent heart muscle thickening
• Improves quality of life

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Why Do Doctors Prescribe Viagra?

If you have ED, your doctor may prescribe Viagra, an FDA-approved drug for men aged 18 and older. Though this medication is not a cure for ED, Viagra helps by increasing blood flow. Sildenafil is the generic version, available as a tablet in dosage strengths of 25, 50 and 100 mg, and it comes in liquid form as well.

The American Urological Association (AUA) defines erectile dysfunction “as the inability to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse.” ED affects about 20 to 30 million men in the United States.

A wide range of underlying conditions can cause impotence, including:

• Psychiatric disorders like depression and performance anxiety
• Neurological issues related to spinal cord injuries, stroke, or diabetic retinopathy
• Hormonal disorders
  Specific conditions like atherosclerosis and hypertension
• Side effects of certain drugs

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Primary Benefits of Using Viagra

Viagra is a drug used primarily for ED, and it works by improving the blood flow during sexual stimulation. For the medication to work, a man needs to be aroused. During research studies, 43% to 83% of the participants showed improvement, as reported by Medical News Today. Increased sexual satisfaction is one of the other Viagra benefits.

However, like other drugs, Viagra can have severe side effects. It should be treated as a prescription medication, not as a recreational aid, and you should take it no more than one time each day for safety reasons.

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Potential Viagra Side Effects

The National Library of Medicine suggests you seek medical attention if you take Viagra and experience one or more of these symptoms:

• Headache, chest pain, heartburn or muscle aches
• Vision changes like unusual color nuances, blurriness, light sensitivity, or sudden loss of vision
• Loss of or reduced hearing, or ringing in the ears
• Numbness, tingling, or burning in limbs or extremities
• Diarrhea, nosebleeds, rash, or flushing
• An erection that causes pain or lasts longer than four hours

If you are 65 years old or more, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose than what is typically prescribed for younger men. The reason is that older men are more inclined to have higher levels of the drug in their bodies, increasing the chances of side effects.

Alternative ED Remedies

Some people look for alternative ED treatments as a supplement or in lieu of medication. Keep in mind that these approaches may not be backed by strial studies, and some products don’t interact well with prescription drugs. Be sure to research any natural remedies you are considering. Then, discuss it with your doctor before you begin trying them.

The National Library of Medicine recommends lifestyle changes to improve erectile function:

• Practice moderately paced aerobic activity for a minimum of 30 minutes daily or 150 minutes weekly.
• Follow a healthy, balanced diet to lose weight if needed.
• Consume a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes while reducing saturated fat, processed food and added sugar.
• Reduce alcohol intake and stop smoking cigarettes.

Does Viagra Have Any Other Benefits?

Viagra is heavily marketed as a drug that offers men a solution to impotence, but Viagra benefits may extend to people with other conditions like pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). If you have PAH, Viagra can help by relaxing the blood vessels in your lungs to facilitate blood flow.

In 1989, before Viagra benefits were associated with ED, sildenafil citrate was created to treat high blood pressure and chest pain indicative of coronary heart disease (CAD). In 1991, the drug was patented as a heart medication.

However, an article published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology questions whether Viagra and other drugs of the same class can be credited for CAD survival. The article concluded that more clinical research is needed before it can be definitively stated that taking sildenafil increases longevity for people with heart disease.

Is Viagra Covered by Health Insurance?

Medicare Drug Coverage

Most Medicare plans don’t cover ED drugs such as Viagra or its generic version, sildenafil. If you have Medicare prescription drug coverage, Part D, and your doctor determines a particular drug is medically necessary, your benefits may cover the cost. Part D plans are required to include certain medications commonly used by Medicare recipients, but since prescription drug coverage is offered by private insurance companies, their formularies can vary.

To determine if your plan covers Viagra, refer to the formulary, a covered medication list usually presented in tiers. If the drug is listed, check the designated tier and conditions, such as quantity limits and prior authorization requirements. Generally, tier levels range from generic lower-cost medications to the highest-cost specialty drugs. Cost-sharing associated with each tier should be disclosed in your Evidence of Coverage.

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Medicaid Drug Coverage

If you are dually eligible, having Medicare and full Medicaid coverage, your prescription drugs are covered by Medicare. In that case, you qualify for the Extra Help program to pay the Medicare drug costs. Additionally, Medicaid may provide benefits to cover the cost of certain drugs not covered by Medicare. Check the official Medicare website to learn other approaches for defraying the cost of prescription drugs.

Variety and Good Health

Whether you like one-pot meals or a three-course menu, you can find many DASH diet recipes online. For example, the Mayo Clinic offers recipes for a wide range of appetizers, beverages, baked goods, desserts, main and side dishes, salads, sandwiches, sauces, dressings and soups.

For even more health benefits, combine a DASH diet meal plan with a low-sodium diet.