Can Viagra Improve Your Relationship?

Since its introduction over 10 years ago, Viagra has become as recognizable a product as General Motors or Coca Cola. It is estimated that over 25 million men around the world have tried Viagra since its inception. Viagra, of course, is a drug that helps men with erectile dysfunction. After being introduced it immediately gained attention from the press and the general public. However, despite it name recognition, people are not very knowledgeable about it or the condition it is meant to treat. The first thing to know about Viagra is that it treats what is considered to be a physiological problem. That is, it helps get blood flow to the penis which in turn helps to get and maintain an erection. This physiological difficulty is common among men between 40 and 70 years of age.

The second thing to be aware of is that an erection does not occur as a result of taking the pill. Instead, when one is sexually aroused mentally, the pill helps this arousal manifest itself in an erection by allowing for increased blood flow.

Given these facts, people should not be surprised to find that Viagra cannot "fix" the relationship difficulties that couples encounter. Viagra does not increase sex drive. It does nothing for uninspired love making. It can't make your partner more desirable or make your partner more interested in you.

Erectile dysfunction is certainly is a widespread phenomenon. Approximately 20 million American men are affected by it. It is also not being effectively addressed. This is due to the fact that approximately 70% of men do not seek out treatment. In addition, only 50% of Viagra prescriptions are renewed. All this adds up to a situation in which men are not getting the assistance they need.

When Viagra is not working, men need to be aware that relationship issues, which are not treated with Viagra, need to be investigated. This is much more threatening than taking a pill. The way you feel about yourself, how you feel about your spouse, how your spouse feels about you can all effect whether that initial mentally generated sexual interest is there to begin with. Often, stress and/or performance anxiety may be leading to erectile dysfunction and needs to be investigated.

You can learn more about couples' treatment here.

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Note: Posts on Family Anatomy are for education only. If you need to talk to someone about family or mental health issues, you can get a referral from your family doctor.