Sildenafil citrate is a commonly used medication to stimulate erections in people with erectile dysfunction (ED). It can also be used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure affecting the lungs and heart). A branded version of this medicine. Many factors can affect the time it takes for Viagra to start working. In general, Viagra takes about 30 minutes to produce noticeable effects.
But your diet, general health, medications you take, underlying medical conditions, and more can affect how long Viagra takes to work in your body and how long it lasts.
How Does It Work?
The erection occurs when the nerves of your penis are stimulated. As a result, the muscles around two cylindrical chambers of spongy material along your penis known as the corpora cavernosa relax and allow blood to flow, causing an erection. Nerves don’t communicate properly with the brain, and blood doesn’t flow properly to the cavernous bodies.
Taking Viagra relaxes the walls of the blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily to the parts of the penis that cause an erection.
How Long Will It Take Before I Start Work?
Usually, Viagra starts working 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion. in oral tablet form. It can take up to 2 hours for the effects to kick in. Viagra does not work alone. You still need to be sexually aroused to get an erection. Feeling relaxed and comfortable can also help Viagra work sooner.
How Long Does It Take?
On average, Viagra takes 2-3 hours to show its effects. reduce. Viagra can last up to 5 hours or longer depending on your dosage, your body’s metabolism, and other external factors. Depending on how your body metabolizes it, you may be able to get an erection multiple times with Viagra in your system. However, Viagra is unlikely to keep you in bed any longer.
How Long Can You Have Sex?
Viagra may not work immediately after intercourse. Normally you cannot get another erection right after ejaculation because your body is not physically ready for it. This is called the refractory period. It may only take a few minutes, but it may take a few hours or days. However, a 2000 study found that Viagra may reduce this recovery time.
Can Any Factor Affect The Duration?
Several important factors can affect the duration of Viagra: The dose. The amount of Viagra you take affects how long it stays in your system. The smallest dose available, 25 milligrams (mg), does not last as long as the highest dose available, 100 mg.
However, it is not always recommended to take a higher dose as it may not be safe for you. Age. As you age, your metabolism slows down. Viagra works longer if you are 65 years or older.
Diet And Lifestyle
Eating a large meal or a lot of fatty foods just before taking Viagra can prevent it from being metabolized quickly or efficiently. But this also allows it to last longer as it is metabolized with food.
Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol consumption or smoking can also reduce blood flow to the penis, making Viagra less effective or shorter lasting.
Medication
Some medications, particularly antibiotics such as erythromycin (Ery-Tab), clarithromycin (Biaxin), and ciprofloxacin (Cipro), can interact with Viagra and affect how long it lasts.
General Health
Certain existing conditions can affect how long Viagra works. takes and how well it works for you. Diabetes, nervous system diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), and heart diseases like atherosclerosis (fat build-up in the blood vessels) can make Viagra less effective and not last as long. Some kidney diseases can cause Viagra to last longer due to the disease’s effects on your metabolism.
Mental State
Feeling anxious, nervous, depressed, or stressed can affect how your body responds to sexual stimulation. If you don’t feel relaxed or comfortable during sex, or if you’re anxious because of previous sexual experiences, Viagra may not last long or be fully effective.
How Long Does It Take To Leave My System?
Viagra usually leaves your system after 2 to 3 hours. Depending on your metabolism, it may take 5-6 hours for Viagra to fully leave your system. A higher dose takes longer to leave your body. A 25mg dose may wear off after a few hours, but a 100mg dose may take almost four times as long to leave your system.
Possible Risk Factors
Viagra often lasts for a few hours. You don’t usually have an erection all the time as Viagra is only used to increase blood flow. If you find Viagra is not working fast enough, try masturbation or foreplay to stimulate arousal. If Viagra does not work after 30 minutes, do not take more than the daily dose prescribed by your doctor.
Never take more than 100 mg of Viagra in any 24 hours. Too much Viagra can cause severe headaches, low blood pressure, and orthostasis (drop in blood pressure when standing up), which can lead to fainting. Higher doses can also cause priapism, a painful erection that lasts more than 4 hours. This can damage penile tissues as the blood stored in the penis is deprived of oxygen. In this case, get emergency treatment immediately.
When Should You See Your Doctor?
Talk to your doctor before taking Viagra or related erectile dysfunction medications. It’s important to take a safe dose and have a clear idea of how much to take in 24 hours. Some heart diseases medications, such as nitroglycerin and other nitrates, can interact dangerously with Viagra and cause your blood pressure to drop too low.
Alternatives To Viagra
If Viagra is not working or is not safe for you, talk with your doctor about other possible treatments for ED, such as:
- Penis pumps
- Penile implants
- Intracavernosal injection (ici)
- Intraurethral gels or pellets
- Exercises
- Therapy for anxiety, depression, or other similar conditions
The Takeaway
Viagra typically starts working within 30 to 60 minutes and it might last for about 2 to 3 hours after that. Seek the help of an expert if you experience an erection lasting longer than 4 hours
