Since hitting the market, Viagra® has become known worldwide for its use in treating erectile dysfunction. When it comes to lasting longer in bed, however, other treatments can be more helpful. Keep reading to learn more about Viagra®, as well as ways you can last longer in bed.
What is Viagra®?
Viagra® is a prescription medication that treats the symptoms of erectile dysfunction, a common health problem that is often linked to heart disease and other serious conditions. The active ingredient in Viagra® is a chemical compound called sildenafil.
Sildenafil was initially studied as a potential treatment for hypertension (high blood pressure) and angina (severe chest pain from narrowed arteries).
During clinical trials for sildenafil, patients reported an interesting side effect: stronger erections that were easier to achieve. As a result, researchers began to study sildenafil as a potential treatment for ED.
In the 1990s, the FDA approved Viagra® as the world’s first oral medication for erectile dysfunction.
Pfizer, the company that discovered and patented Viagra® (sildenafil), marketed the drug with massive success. Viagra® generated over $1.8 billion in annual sales at its peak.
Since then, Pfizer’s patents have expired. Sildenafil is now manufactured by multiple companies and is available as a less expensive alternative to branded Viagra®.
How Does Viagra® Work?
Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra®, is classified as a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. Other ED medications like tadalafil (Cialis®) and vardenafil (Levitra®) belong to the same category of drugs.
To understand how these medications help treat ED, let's dive into how erections work.
When men are sexually stimulated, their bodies release a chemical called nitric oxide. Nitric oxide helps dilate the blood vessels in your penis, allowing for increased blood flow.
As long as stimulation is maintained, the increase in blood flow to the penis will eventually result in an erection.
PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra® help block phosphodiesterase-5, natural enzymes that constrict blood vessels and limit blood flow. By inhibiting PDE5, these medications enable a steady flow into the penis. This can make erections firmer and last longer.
It’s important to note that Viagra® is not a permanent cure for erectile dysfunction. Its effects only last as long as the drug is in your system, which is normally between four and six hours.
Will Viagra® Help You Last Longer in Bed?
Viagra® was designed specifically to treat erectile dysfunction and not to help men last longer during sex.
Still, as long as Viagra® is in your system, it can help reduce the refractory period experienced after an orgasm.
During this refractory period, a man cannot ejaculate again. It can last minutes to hours and varies from man to man.
Viagra® can help to decrease the amount of time you must wait between sexual encounters.
In some cases, men having trouble maintaining an erection might develop a habit of rushing to ejaculation before the erection disappears. In situations of premature ejaculation , Viagra® could actually help break that habit and make your time in the bedroom last longer, though this is not the intended purpose of the medication and results may vary person to person.
What are Some Options for Lasting Longer in Bed?
Although Viagra® may not help you last longer during sex, there are plenty of other options that can.
Numbing agents
Topical creams, sprays, or wipes with numbing agents like benzocaine, lidocaine, or prilocaine can help to reduce sensation in your penis. This can help delay orgasm to help you last longer in bed.
Typically, these products are applied directly to your penis 10 or 15 minutes before sex, though instructions may vary by product.
In a clinical study, a numbing agent increased ejaculation latency time in participants nearly eight-fold. Specifically, the average time increased from 84 seconds to 11 minutes and 21 seconds.
Certain condoms
While wearing any condom can help to reduce sensation and delay orgasm, some condoms are made specifically for that purpose.
These condoms contain some of the numbing agents listed above or are thicker than usual.
In addition to reducing the odds of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, these condoms can help men last longer during sex.
Masturbation
Masturbating an hour or two before sex can help you to last longer in bed.
After you reach orgasm, your body releases the hormone prolactin, which blocks feelings of sexual pleasure.
This refractory period often increases in length as you age. When this period ends, you may be able to achieve an erection, but it will likely take longer to reach orgasm.
Antidepressants
As of now, no medications are approved specifically to treat premature ejaculation.
Still, one of the most common side effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is delayed orgasm.
While these medications are primarily prescribed as antidepressants, they are often recommended as a treatment for premature ejaculation. Sertraline (Zoloft), escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil), and fluoxetine (Prozac) are all used to delay orgasm and extend sex.
Techniques that delay orgasm
Several techniques can help to delay your orgasm and prevent ejaculation before you and your partner are ready.
Here are two techniques that can help delay orgasm:
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The squeeze method: When you feel close to having an orgasm, stop and squeeze the head of your penis. You shouldn’t feel any pain or discomfort, but it should be enough pressure to delay orgasm. Once the sensation has passed, you can resume sexual activities.
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The stop and go method: When you feel close to having an orgasm, stop sexual activity and wait until the sensation to orgasm passes. For best results, start with the squeeze method and slowly work your way up to this method.
Kegel Exercises
Kegel exercises are designed to strengthen the muscles located in your pelvic floor.
Originally, these exercises were designed to help women strengthen these muscles and prevent urine from leaking after pregnancy.
Kegel exercises have since been shown to help men control urination, improve erectile function, and delay ejaculation.
These exercises are fairly simple, but it can be difficult to locate the correct muscles your first time. They’re the same muscles you use when trying to cut off urination midstream or attempting to hold in gas.
Once you’ve identified the correct muscles, the process is simple.
First, clench and hold these muscles for five seconds.
Then, release and relax them for five seconds.
Repeat this process 10 or 20 times for one set.
Perform multiple sets throughout the day, with the goal of clenching your pelvic floor muscles between 50 and 80 times.
At first, you may want to perform Kegel exercises lying down flat on your back. This should help ensure you exercise the correct muscles. Eventually, you’ll be able to perform them sitting, standing, or even walking.
How Rex MD Can Help
While Viagra® is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction, it probably won’t help you last longer in bed. If you want to prolong sexual encounters, numbing agents, antidepressants, condoms, Kegel exercises, and physical techniques can help. Talk to your doctor to see if ED meds like Viagra® may be right for you. Rex MD offers free online consultations so you won’t have any more awkward visits to the doctor’s office. Get started today.
