Posted by Nikoletta Ventseslavova

Guest post by Stacey Cavalari

If you are suffering from a condition known as erectile dysfunction (an inability to achieve or maintain an erection for sexual intercourse), your doctor may have prescribed you Viagra or some other type of erectile dysfunction medication to help you handle the condition. However, before you decide to start taking Viagra, there are some things you should consider. Here is a short list of pros and cons that may have help you decide if Viagra is right for you.

Health Concerns

Taken in the proper dosage, and in the right circumstances, Viagra can help about 80% of men achieve an adequate erection for intercourse. However, there are some situations where it would be unwise, and even dangerous, to take Viagra. Your doctor should discuss these risks with you before prescribing Viagra. You should definitely tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions, as they may increase your chances of complications while taking Viagra. Tell your doctor:

If you suffer from kidney disease
Have sickle-cell anemia
Have any known allergies
Have high or low blood pressure levels
Have any heart conditions
Have any eye problems, such as blurred vision or loss of vision in one or both eyes

Your doctor should discuss any issues in regard to your medical history, but if you have any doubts, be sure to ask questions and get the answers you need.

It is also important to note that Viagra can result in many different side effects, some more serious than others. Here is a list of the most common side effects experienced when using Viagra:

Dizziness
Flushing
Headache
Heartburn
Swelling of the hands, feet or ankles
Difficulty sleeping
Changes in vision, such as increased sensitivity to light, blurred vision, or seeing things with a bluish tint (Because of this, it is very important that men who use Viagra abstain from driving for several hours after taking the pill)

You may experience these effects to some degree while using Viagra, but if the problem gets worse or doesn’t go away, you should call your doctor to seek guidance, immediately.

Emotional Effects

It is also important to note that Viagra may affect your relationship, sometimes not always for the better. Many men who take Viagra are middle-aged, as the incidence of erectile dysfunction increases at this age. This also means that if they are married, their wife may also be middle-aged and going through hormonal and physical changes, as well. Some women find that they just aren’t as interested in sex during this time, and if their husband is thrilled that he is finally able to have sex, but the wife doesn’t feel like it. This can cause a lot of tension in the relationship. This isn’t always the case, and Viagra has helped many healthy marriages to remain active and happy in the bedroom, but it is very important that men take into account the effect of that taking Viagra on their partners.

Financial Cost

Viagra isn’t cheap. You may be able to get inexpensive counterfeit Viagra pill on the internet, but these are not real Viagra pills, and they can be very dangerous.

Original Viagra will cost upward of $20 a pill, and this can put quite a strain on your wallet if you use Viagra regularly. However, there are other ED medications available that may be more cost-effective for you, including Cialis, Levitra, and Staxyn. Of course, in a short time (probably around March 2012), the price of Viagra may significantly drop, since Pfizer’s Viagra patent expiration date is coming up, which means they may have more competition, and thus have to lower their price or find other ways to stay competitive.

Stacey Cavalari works for AccessRx.com

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