Because brand name Viagra, also known as sildenafil citrate, is thought of as a “cure-all” for intimate ailments (but mostly for ED), many men turn to it as a solution to the oldest problem: how to last long in bed.
But does Viagra make you last longer in bed? Viagra can definitely make you last longer in bed if you’re struggling to keep an erection. And research also suggests it might be beneficial for the management of PE even though it isn’t specifically FDA approved for that purpose.
Want to see what the science says? Below, we’ve explored the evidence for and against sildenafil citrate for boosting stamina, and shared other science-backed options for improving your stamina and performance.
Can Viagra Help You Last Longer?
Will Viagra make you last longer? Some reports actually suggest that Viagra for PE might actually be an effective treatment.
Viagra (sildenafil citrate) is a type of ED medication called a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor. PDE5 inhibitors such as Viagra, Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (vardenafil) are designed to treat ED by increasing blood flow to the soft tissues and blood vessels of your privates.
The effects of these ED medications can help you climax or maintain a firmer one to improve the experience for you and your partner.
On average, Viagra lasts for up to four hours after you take your dose. So, if you tend to lose your arousal during intimacy, Viagra’s effects could help you have intimacy for longer without being affected by ED during that period of time.
Why Viagra Could Help with PE
Does sildenafil make you last longer? There are a few interesting studies about Viagra’s effects on dysfunction that are worth mentioning:
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In a small 2007 study published in the International Journal of Urology: Official Journal of the Japanese Urological Association, researchers found that sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra) was linked to an increase in climax time in men affected by PE.
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Another study from 2005 found that men who used sildenafil experienced a small increase in time before coming. The increase compared to placebo wasn’t statistically significant, but men did have increased perception of control and overall satisfaction.
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According to a clinical study published in the International Journal of Impotence Research, sildenafil can reduce refractory time by several minutes. In this study, the average reduction in time was about nine minutes.
So, how does Viagra possibly help with PE? There are a number of potential ways. These include its effects on the nervous system and the sensitivity of the privates, its effects on smooth muscles involved in coming, and the fact that it can increase confidence — especially in those who have both PE and ED.
Why Viagra Is Not an FDA-Approved Treatment for PE
The reason Viagra isn’t an FDA-approved treatment to help you last longer in bed gets into a complex issue of the time and cost of running clinical trials and applying for FDA approval. It’s possible that if these trials were done, sildenafil — the active ingredient in Viagra — could be shown to be safe and effective for PE. It’s also possible that wouldn’t be the case. We will probably never know. Viagra is already commercially available because of its approval for ED, and providers can already prescribe Viagra off-label to treat PE. So we’ll likely just need to rely on studies like those mentioned above to know how effective it can be for the condition.
Things Viagra can’t do, though, include boost your drive, prevent you from getting tired, reduce performance anxiety or make your privates larger than normal — that’s not what Viagra does.
The Risks of Using Viagra to Last Longer
And then there are the side effects of Viagra — headaches and blurred vision, and potentially dangerous interactions with other drugs.
You’ll need to tell a healthcare professional if you currently have any medical condition or are treating heart disease or hypertension, and you’ll want to avoid medications for high blood pressure like nitrates, alpha-blockers and others that could cause low blood pressure when combined with Viagra.
Does Viagra Increase Size?
Sorry, but it’s highly unlikely that Viagra will increase the size of your privates on its own. One possible side effect of Viagra is that your arousal will be firmer when you’re stimulated, giving it the appearance of being larger.
How to Treat PE and Last Longer in Bed
Does Viagra help with PE? Maybe! But it’s best you discuss all of your options with a healthcare provider to see what’s best for you.
There are other options available for PE that can help you delay ejaculation and last longer in bed, including:
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Premature ejaculation sprays, wipes and creams
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SSRI antidepressants
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Non-medicinal techniques for reducing stimulation
So, let’s dig a little deeper into these.
PE Sprays, Wipes and Creams
Studies show that lidocaine-containing sprays are extremely effective as treatments for PE by reducing sensitivity.
In a 2003 study published in the International Journal of Impotence Research, men with PE were able to increase their latency from one minute and 24 seconds to 11 minutes and 21 seconds after applying a lidocaine-prilocaine-based spray.
That kind of return on investment is what made Warren Buffett a billionaire.
Medicated wipes and creams that contain ingredients like lidocaine, prilocaine, and benzocaine are also available OTC and can be used to reduce the sensitivity of the privates.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
One of the main side effects of certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) — such as paroxetine and sertraline — is something called “anorgasmia,” or the inability to achieve climax.
When treating PE, this “bug” is actually a feature. A feature which has prompted healthcare professionals all over the world to prescribe SSRIs off-label to treat this common dysfunction.
Sertraline (the active ingredient in Zoloft) is one of several SSRIs used to treat PE and improve performance. According to a study published in the journal, Medicine, sertraline is effective at prolonging ejaculation latency time and improving rates of satisfaction between patients and their partners.
Additionally, a 2007 study published in the journal Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management found that men with PE who used paroxetine, fluoxetine or escitalopram experienced a useful effect on time.
Non-Pharmaceutical Treatments
Managing PE might not require any medications, of course. Instead, you might simply have to exert some self-control — or some self-love.
Beyond medications such as sildenafil, lidocaine and sertraline, there are several ways to increase your time before ejaculation and improve your performance without using drugs.
These include techniques like:
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The stop-start technique. It’s 100 percent a medical fact that if you stop before finishing, you can start again and still keep the clock running on your session.
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The squeeze technique. Before you finish, pull out and squeeze the tip of your privates to reduce your urge to come before returning to activity.
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Distracting thoughts. Thinking about something to momentarily take your head out of the game — baseball, cold showers, geometry, the weather, etc. — may actually help distract you long enough to overcome your urge to climax. We wouldn’t ordinarily suggest not keeping your eyes on the prize, but for PE, it could prove helpful.
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Kegels. These not-just-for-women exercises can increase your muscle control, which could lead to longer performance windows.
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Getting into therapy. Another simple solution? Talking. If you’re experiencing PE as a result of performance anxiety, talking about it with a professional might help. Not only will they be able to help you talk through some of your experiences, but they may also be able to make some helpful suggestions.
(Related: How Often Do Couples Make Love?)
Viagra and Medicine for Lasting Longer in Bed
Today, a variety of options are available for PE, ranging from SSRIs to lidocaine-based PE spray to techniques like the stop-start strategy, the squeeze technique before making love.
Then, there’s Viagra. Although the “little blue pill” is designed and marketed as a treatment for ED, a dose of Viagra can also be prescribed off label to help men last longer in bed.
Consider the following points about PE:
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Does Viagra make you last longer in bed? It might, but the question could use more research, and Viagra and other ED medications represent just some of several options to consider for PE.
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Does Viagra increase your libido? Unfortunately, no. It also won’t prevent performance anxiety or make your privates larger.
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If you’re having trouble lasting for an extended period of time, talk to a healthcare professional about premature ejaculation treatment options, including Viagra, SSRIs and delay spray.
This article originally appeared on Hims.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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5 Best Drinks for Men With ED
Watermelon, dark chocolate and bananas may all be great foods to eat to keep hard, but what do you wash them down with?
As you eat foods that help you get hard, you might be wondering if there are also drinks to help with ED. What about special tea? Does drinking water help you perform?
Look, it would be great if you could hydrate your way to harder erections, and to a certain extent, you certainly can (more on that soon). But know that if you’re looking for powdered supplements or magic potions, we have bad news: there’s no such thing as a “performance enhancing” drink.
There are, however, some drinks that you might want to try if you’d like to shift the balance in favor of your arousal health.
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While it’s known that certain foods can improve erectile health and help with ED, what drinks for ED can help? Is there a best juice for ED or any other kind of best drink for ED?
While there’s no one best drink for ED, there are some drinks that might give you some benefits.
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Although the evidence isn’t that strong, one 2013 review found drinking pomegranate juice was associated with improvements in ED in several studies.
The most likely reason for this is that the antioxidants in pomegranate juice have been found to enhance nitric oxide levels.
Nitric oxide is a naturally produced molecule that promotes blood flow throughout your vascular system. That makes it important for your physical functioning — including the ability to get and maintain arousal.
Research has found that nitric oxide plays a role in erectile function by relaxing the vascular muscle that supplies your genitals with blood when you’re aroused.
FYI: grape juice has also been found to increase nitric oxide levels, and its flavonoids may benefit vascular health.
While the evidence of the effects of pomegranate juice isn’t very clear, this juice for ED may be worth a try. Or you can try drinking grape juice if you prefer the taste.
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The most refreshing summer beverage for ED is watermelon. We’re calling it now — next year’s summer drink trend.
Look, watermelon is technically a food, but when juiced, it’s more than just a refreshing beverage — it’s one of the best sources of l-citrulline out there.
L-citrulline is an amino acid noted for its benefits to blood flow and vascular function, which are important parts of physical performance and bedroom performance. And yes, we’re pretty sure eating slices of it works fine too.
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Looking for the best juice for ED that can also totally stain your clothes? (Hey, we’re not going to judge). It comes from the beetroot, in our opinion and the opinion of our laundry detergent.
Okay, there’s no strong evidence of beet juice treating ED, but beet juice can increase nitric oxide in your blood, which may help to open up blood vessels — like those around your genitals — and promote the blood flow needed to get hard.
Beet juice may also affect blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure (hypertension), foods that are high in nitrates like beets and beet juice can lower your blood pressure.
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There are a few reasons to avoid milk, like lactose intolerance or concerns about hormones, but medical experts wouldn’t suggest avoiding it for ED.
Drinking milk may help with arousal, according to a 2003 study. It found that foods with the amino acid L-arginine — such as dairy — can help relax your muscles and improve blood flow.
Also, kids who grew up in the ‘90s get some nostalgia from a good milk mustache, so… that’s a benefit.
(Related: The 5 Best Drinks for Erectile Dysfunction)
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While the world’s most popular sources of natural caffeine are good for your health, we’re not talking about the flavored, canned and bottled drinks you get at gas stations. But if you’re a coffee or tea drinker struggling with ED, you may be in luck.
Caffeine may improve blood flow, according to a 2005 review, as well as relax the smooth muscle that cause and sustain arousal. Another study found that consuming 170mg to 375mg of caffeine per day was enough to significantly reduce reports of ED, compared to those who didn’t consume that much.
The jury’s out on the benefits of caffeine in improving functioning, but we’ll take our coffee anyway.
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You don’t need to read studies on men’s health and desire to know that alcohol isn’t great for you.
Call it alcohol-induced ED, drinking affects your central nervous system, arousal and performance.
Oh, and the sugary drinks that are often mixed with alcohol aren’t a part of a healthy lifestyle either — obesity and heart disease are both serious risks of a diet rich in sugars and they increase your chance of developing ED.
Do with this info what you will, but alcohol in moderation is generally thought to be best for everyone and everything — including your bedroom performance.
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Some drinks may have an impact on your risk of sexual dysfunction, but unless you become severely dehydrated, what you drink probably isn’t going to be the biggest player in how easy it is for you to get hard. More often than not, ED is a result of better-established reasons for ED, like the psychological causes (stress, depression or performance anxiety) or the physical causes (genetial health, testosterone levels or cardiovascular health).
In these cases, other approaches to ED treatment make more sense. We like to break them into two categories:
(Related: The Best ED Pills for Men: Pros & Cons of ED Medication)
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ED medications called PDE5 inhibitors work to encourage getting hard via increased blood flow to your genetials. These medications include:
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Viagra (sildenafil). Sildenafil, or generic Viagra, provides relief from ED for around four hours.
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Cialis (tadalafil). Tadalafil is a long-lasting medication that can provide relief from ED for up to 36 hours.
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Stendra (avanafil). A newer ED medication that’s fast-acting, avanafil is less likely to cause certain side effects than older medications.
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Levitra (vardenafil). This oral medication can provide relief from ED for slightly longer than sildenafil.
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Being overweight or obese, drinking excessive alcohol, smoking, having a sedentary lifestyle and using certain types of medication can all increase your ED risk, as well as affect your overall health. Because of this, the best preventative measures are regular exercise, eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet, and quitting smoking and other unhealthy habits.
Another issue that may cause problems is your mental health. Bedroom performance anxiety is a fairly well known psychological issue, but anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and negative body issues can all cause psychological ED in otherwise healthy individuals.
The best solution? Therapy and medication.
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Like the potion guide in your favorite video games, we can point you to the best drink to last longer in bed and drinks to increase arousal, as well as give you the honest answer about whether energy drinks cause ED or if olive oil and lemon juice can treat it.
We also have guides for PE, foods that help ED and a deeper dive into water and how it helps your arousal.
The bottom line is that there’s no magic tonic. Hopefully, however, the health benefits we’ve outlined above give you some ideas of what to sip while you ponder better approaches to improving your functioning.
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An extra cup of coffee, grape juice, beet juice or even milk could help with ED or the health conditions that cause it.
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More importantly, cutting down on your booze could prevent alcohol-induced ED from taking hold.
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If all else fails, there are plenty of science-backed ED treatments approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that a healthcare provider can prescribe.
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If the cause of your ED is psychological in nature and not related to your physical health, it may be time to schedule a consultation with a mental health professional.
The best treatment, of course, is to talk with your healthcare provider about your symptoms and learn more about the best ED treatments for you.
This article originally appeared on Hims.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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Featured Image Credit: stefanamer/istockphoto.
