Moments When It’s Best to Think Twice Before Popping a Pill
These days, our society seems to have a pill for every ailment. While medical developments have worked wonders for many, over-prescription represents a major health problem. What is the impact when it comes to erectile dysfunction drugs, such as Viagra?
Generic variants of Viagra are widely available, but the truth is that, for many men, ED medication should not be the first line of treatment. In this article, we will discuss the scenarios in which you should explore non-pharmacological treatment before starting a medication like Viagra.
4 Scenarios in Which You Shouldn’t Use Viagra
Scenario 1: If You Haven’t Consulted a Sex Therapist Yet
Erectile dysfunction is a complex condition. Sometimes it is caused by medical issues. But for many, it is caused or worsened by psychological problems, such as chronic stress, anxiety, depression, or relationship issues. Doctors and medical specialists, such as Urologists, are experts when it comes to diagnosing the medical aspects of erectile issues.
However, unlike many doctors, a sex therapist will explore the psychological or relational factors that may underlie your condition. Also, keep in mind that there is a conflict of interest when doctors provide prescriptions for online pharmacies. Ultimately, you need to be sure that you are getting the right diagnosis and treatment for your needs.
Scenario 2: You’re Taking Viagra as A “Confidence Booster”
Would you use a sleeping pill, even if you didn’t have insomnia? Hopefully not: because this could lead to dependence and disruptions to your brain’s ability to fall asleep naturally.
The same goes for Viagra; and, in fact, any medication: if you don’t have a medical condition that necessitates the use of a medication, you should not be taking that pill, unless under special instruction from your doctor.
In recent years, the use of erection enhancing medication has exploded among young men. However, studies have shown that recreational use of Viagra can create a psychological dependence on the drug, which can be even more complicated to treat.
Scenario 3: If You Suffer from Performance Anxiety
Sexual performance anxiety is very common: many men will have at least one episode in their lives. Most will have more. Performance anxiety is also a highly common psychological cause of ED.
If you suffer from performance anxiety and ED, it is best to treat the root cause of the condition rather than medicating away the symptoms. This is even more pertinent when we consider that ED medications such as Viagra tend to stop working when performance anxiety is severe. Why? This happens because severe anxiety blocks neural pathways for sexual arousal. If there is no sexual arousal happening in the first place, then Viagra is not able to help.
The good news is that performance anxiety can be managed well through psychological interventions. One such strategy is mindfulness meditation, which is also great for treating a range of other associated anxiety-based conditions.
A recent 2018 study showed that after practicing mindfulness meditation for four weeks, 9 out of 10 men with psychological erectile dysfunction regained the ability to get and maintain an erection.
Scenario 4: If You Are Buying Medications Without a Medical Prescription
It should go without saying: you should not be taking any medication that has not been prescribed by your doctor! These days, erection-enhancing medications are often accessible online and through the dark web, for example. Viagra and related supplements are also sometimes sold by drug dealers, along with other illegal substances.
It is not only illegal to buy these medications in this way, but it is extremely dangerous. If your medication is not coming from a registered pharmacy, and you don’t have a doctor’s script, you don’t know what’s in it. In some cases, there may be highly toxic or addictive substances added.
Takeaway
Erectile dysfunction is a common and highly distressing condition. Erectile drugs such as Viagra are more widely available than ever, and many men all around the world are using this as a quick-fix method to address their issues.
However, there are certain scenarios, which we have outlined in this article, in which you should think twice before popping a pill. Explore the other strategies at your disposal if you want to address the root causes of your difficulty and truly take back control.
About the Author
Daniel Sher is a certified clinical psychologist, sex therapy expert, and the creator of the Between Us Clinic’s Performance Anxiety Program, a mindfulness meditation online program for men’s sexual performance anxiety.
References
Atsbeha, B. W., Kebede, B. T., Birhanu, B. S., Yimenu, D. K., Belay, W. S., & Demeke, C. A. (2021). The weekend drug; recreational use of sildenafil citrate and concomitant factors: A cross-sectional study. Frontiers in Medicine, 8.
Bossio, J. A., Basson, R., Driscoll, M., Correia, S., & Brotto, L. A. (2018). Mindfulness-based group therapy for men with situational erectile dysfunction: A mixed-methods feasibility analysis and pilot study. The journal of sexual medicine, 15(10), 1478-1490.
