In this Article:
01: Common myths about erectile problems 02: What causes erection problems? 03: What are the symptoms of erectile problems? 04: What treatments are available for erectile problems? 05: How does Viagra Connect work? 06: How do you take Viagra Connect? 07: What happens after taking Viagra? 08: How do I get the most out of Viagra Connect? 09: Is Viagra Connect right for you? 10: Where can I get Viagra Connect? 11:Common myths about erectile problems
It’s uncommon
It’s estimated that around 6 million men in the UK experience erection problems*, but because the condition may be significantly underreported, it’s believed that it’s less common than it is, creating a stigma around the condition.
It only occurs in men over 60
There’s a 40% chance of a male having some form of erectile problem by the time he’s reached his 40s, which increases by about 10% a decade thereafter. One study has even found that there’s a prevalence of erectile problems in 8% of men aged 20-29 years old and 11% of those 30-39 years old.
It’s a reflection of your masculinity
This can be an easy conclusion to make, but erection problems often occur due to a range of different health conditions, both mental and physical, and are not a reflection or indication of any kind of definition of ‘masculinity’.
It’s nothing to do with other health problems
It’s worth repeating – erectile problems can be a result of a different health conditions, both mental and physical. If you begin to experience erectile problems on a regular basis, talk to your GP or pharmacist to discuss your health in more detail.
You have to learn to live with it
It depends on the definition of ‘live with it’, but there are a range of potential solutions for erectile problems. It’s not unusual for older men to need more stimulation to get and keep an erection, but even if you’re younger, it’s important that you reach out to get help, whether for erectile problems specifically or any underlying conditions that could be causing it.
Pills are the only answer
Tablets can be an effective treatment to help with the symptoms of erectile problems. But they’re not the only answer. There are a range of different lifestyle changes you can make to help with erection problems, like…
Losing weight
Doing regular physical activity to reduce stress, increase blood flow and help with weight loss
Maintaining a healthy diet with lots of fruit, vegetables, grains, and fish
Quitting smoking
Reducing the amount of alcohol you drink
Finding ways to remove stress-inducing factors
Getting a good night’s sleep on a regular basis
Working through any relationship issues with your partner
What causes erection problems?
The biological reason is limited blood flow to the penis.
But why? There are a whole range of factors that can cause erection problems, both mental and physical. Erection difficulties can also be a side effect of certain medications.
Erection problems can happen to any man at any age for all kinds of reasons. By the age of 40, up to 4 in every 10 men may have experienced some kind of erection-related problem**. Stress, tiredness, or drinking too much alcohol are often the main causes.
Whatever the reason, you can take action. Erectile problems can cause issues in your relationships and could also point to another health condition you might not be aware of. We’d recommend speaking to a GP or pharmacist to find a solution to your erection problems.
What are the symptoms of erectile problems?
There are several common symptoms for erectile problems. The most common is that you have trouble getting and keeping an erection, but that’s not all. Lower sex drive is also a signalling factor, as well as anxiety around sexual performance.
However, most men can and will experience occasional issues with getting or keeping and erection at some point in their lives. This is perfectly normal. But if the above symptoms happen repeatedly over an extended period of time, then you might want to consider looking at solutions for erectile problems.
What treatments are available for erectile problems?
Erectile problems are mostly treated with oral medication, which acts to increase blood flow the penis, known as PDE-inhibitors.
There are different types of medications to treat erectile problems, including sildenafil, otherwise known under the brand name Viagra.
Other oral medications used to treat erectile problems include:
Tadalafil
Vardenafil
Avanafil
However, not all cases of erectile problems can be solved solely with medication. If your erectile problems are caused by psychological factors, then counselling or therapy could help, although they are not available on the NHS so would need to be self-funded.
How does Viagra Connect work?
Viagra helps to improve the symptoms of erectile problems by helping you to achieve and maintain an erection.
An erection occurs when a protein called cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) is released, increasing the blood flow to the penis. Another protein called phosphodiesterase-type 5 (PDE-5) is released to break down the cGMP and stop the erection. Erectile problems occur when PDE-5 works too quickly.
Viagra works by blocking PDE-5 from working, maintaining blood flow to the penis and widening your blood vessels to increase the flow.
How do you take Viagra Connect?
You should always follow the directions on the Patient Information Leaflet when taking Viagra Connect to get the best results, as follows:
Take one tablet about 30 to 60 minutes before sex
Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water
Do not take more than one tablet in a single day
What happens after taking Viagra?
Around 25 minutes - it’s recommended to take Viagra an hour before sex, but you could experience an erection sooner, often within around 25-30 minutes
After 1 hour – the active ingredient, sildenafil, is at maximum concentration in your blood and is effective for several hours afterwards
After 4 hours – it’s still effective at this point, but will decrease in efficacy each hour afterwards, although how quickly varies from person to person
How do I get the most out of Viagra Connect?
While using Viagra Connect helps promote a healthy erection, there are other things you can do in conjunction to support its effectiveness…
Get in the mood – while Viagra Connect can start to work in as little as 25 minutes, it won’t give you an instant erection – you need to be aroused for it to work, so engage in foreplay just like you normally would
Don’t rush it – anxiety can delay its efficacy, so don’t rush, it works for up to four hours after you take it in response to sexual stimulation
Eat carefully – you can take Viagra Connect both with or without food, but if you take it after a high-fat meal, it might take a little longer to work
Try a warm-up – if you’ve not had an erection for a while, why not try masturbating before having sex so you can get used to the feeling?
Don’t give up – Viagra Connect might not work the first time for everyone, but don’t panic, getting used to maintaining an erection can take a while. Just don’t exceed taking one tablet a day
Keep an open mind – if it doesn’t work after a several tries, speak to your GP or doctor as you might need a different treatment for either the erection difficulties or for a condition that is contributing to them
Is Viagra Connect right for you?
Viagra Connect is only suitable for adult men over 18 years of age who have erectile problems.
It is not for women, men under 18, or men who do not have erection problems.
If you are taking other medicines or have other health conditions, you will be asked a few straightforward questions about your health and what medications you’re currently taking before you can buy it. Certain medications and conditions will mean that Viagra Connect could be unsuitable for you.
Where can I get Viagra Connect?
You can purchase Viagra Connect from our health and wellness shop today.
Viagra Connect is available in packs of 2, 4 or 8 50mg tablets and with multipack options.
Always read the label. Talk to a GP or pharmacist before taking.
NOTE: This article/page uses gender terms in reference to the sex assigned at birth.
*Men reporting difficulty getting or keeping an erection in the past 12 months. Based upon Ipsos Healthcare, December 2022, Viagra Connect: EP in the UK 2022 KPI Tracking Study, in a survey of 3938 men.
**Ferrini, M.G., Gonzalez-Cadavid, N.F. and Rajfer, J. (2017). Aging related erectile dysfunction—potential mechanism to halt or delay its onset. Translational Andrology and Urology, [online] 6(1), pp.20–27. doi:https://doi.org/10.21037/tau.2016.11.18.