If you struggle with Ed then Ed medications like Viagra (sildenafil) might be something of a miracle for you. As is true for any prescription drug but ED medications come with risks for interactions and side effects. These drugs are not something you want to use irresponsibly.

You may consider this a matter of common sense however research suggests that there is a measurable number of users who take ED drugs recreationally. Few men take Ed Drug to impress a new partner with their sexual prowess while others do it to enhance their own experience.

even though the reasoning, recreational use of erectile dysfunction drugs can be dangerous, think twice before you do take it 

How do ED Drugs Work?

To understand why someone may use Ed Drug recreationally, you have to understand the basics of how these drugs work.

Although there are both psychological and physiological factors that come into play and erectile dysfunction is largely a vascular issue. ED is defined by the Mayo Clinic as the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex. 

The basic cause may vary from one case to another but the main problem is a lack of blood flowing to the penis- you can not achieve or maintain an erection until the penis fills appropriately with blood.

ED medications like Viagra (sildenafil citrate) and Cialis (tadalafil) are classified as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors which raise the amount of nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide works together with other substances to relax and dilate the blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more freely into the penis.

According to the manufacturer of the drug, Viagra typically begins working within 30 to 60 minutes, although you can take it up to 4 hours before anticipated any sexual activity. Some Factors such as age, diet, alcohol use, dosage, and concurrent medications can also impact how long the effects of the drug will last.

Why Use  Erectile Dysfunction drugs Without a Prescription?

Sildenafil mostly know by the brand name Viagra, was approved by the FDA for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in 1998. After that, more than 35 million men around the world have used it to improve the strength or duration of their erections.

Within 6 months of its release, almost more than 5 million prescriptions were written for Viagra. Between 1998 and 2002, the use of Viagra among men aged 18 to 45 by more than 300%.  during that time period, Viagra is used more than twice in men aged 45 to 55. Today almost more than 1.7 million prescriptions are written each year. With almost two million new prescriptions being written each year, Viagra usage has skyrocketed.

But what about those men who don’t have a prescription for Viagra or another ED medication?

Research indicates that as much as 10% to 20% of erectile dysfunction drug use is recreational and also as many as 50% of those men who use ED drugs recreationally combine it with alcohol and illegal drugs.

There are various reasons why men take ED medications recreationally. For a few men, it’s a matter of boosting their sexual performance to impress a new partner or it might simply be a matter of improving their own experience.

However, lots of men who take Viagra recreationally do so to improve their sexual performance, there is a group of some men who use it to boost their athletic performance.

Mentioned as “Vitamin V” by some athletes taking Viagra with anabolic steroids before a workout helps to dilate the blood vessels and speeding the delivery of those steroids to the major muscle groups. 

Steroid use comes along with some pretty serious risks including reduced sperm count, testicular atrophy, male-pattern baldness, and also breast development-it can also lead to infertility. For a few athletes, Viagra is a so much necessity to restore a sexual function that has been destroyed by years of steroid abuse.

The issue with recreational use of Ed drugs is that the reality often doesn’t align with the expectation. Men who take erectile dysfunction drugs  recreationally believe that it will give them better, longer-lasting erections or that it may reduce their “refractory period” the time it takes to achieve another erection following orgasm

The truth is that taking Viagra without a medical need can actually inhibit sexual performance and reduce overall satisfaction. It can also increase risky sexual behavior.

What Are the Risks for Recreational Use of Erectile Dysfunction Drugs?

When a man who takes Viagra or any other ED drugs recreationally they assume that it will improve their sexual performance when, in reality, it may have the opposite effect. According to the results of the study which is published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine recreational users of ED drugs reported lower erectile confidence and lower overall satisfaction compared to non-users. In fact the more repeatedly these test subjects used ED drugs, the lower their erectile confidence became which, in turn, reduced normal erectile function.

The ED Drugs recreationally use not only impact your sexual performance, but it may lead to an increase in risky sexual behaviors.

One review published in the American Journal of Medicine analyzed 14 recent studies of Viagra use among gay men. According to the evaluation, more than 10% of men who have sex with men use Viagra drugs and those men are 2 to 6 times more likely to have unprotected anal sex with a male partner whose HIV status is unknown. These statistics show a correlation between Viagra use in gay men and an increased risk for STDs and HIV.

Mostly men who take ED drugs like Viagra recreationally are likely to fit into one or more of the following categories:

• Men who have multiple sexual partners
• Men who use illegal drugs
• Men who frequently have one-night stands
• Men who have unprotected sex
• Men who have sex with other men

Lots of men who use ED drugs like Viagra recreationally purchase them online or from offshore pharmacies. not only are these drugs not approved by the FDA but also they are illegal and are more likely to be counterfeit versions of the drug. This only includes the risks associated with the recreational use of Viagra and other ED drugs.

Ed Drugs have been prescribed to more than 35 million men over the years often with positive results. The most important thing you have to remember, however, is that these drugs are only safe when taken as prescribed by a doctor

Use or Unapproved Medical Use of Viagra Off-label 

While the FDA  has approved Viagra for treating ED, researchers are looking at how the drug might benefit other conditions.

For Example, Viagra might also help

• Raynaud’s disease: This condition, which causes the fingers and toes to become cold and numb,  might be helped by the drug Viagra.

• Pulmonary arterial hypertension: The Revatio drug carries the same active ingredient as Viagra (sildenafil) and it is approved to help adults with pulmonary hypertension which is characterized by high blood pressure in the lungs. 

• Prostate cancer:  Researchers are still examining whether Viagra could help this common cancer.

• Other conditions:  Viagra is being studied as a potential treatment for lots of other medical issues.

Sometimes, the drug is given off-label that means your doctor prescribes it for an unapproved use.

In the Last on Viagra for Recreational or Off-Label Use 

If you think you might have ED your best bet is to see your doctor first. Viagra is one option, but there are also many others. 

Tell your doctor about all your health conditions the medicines you take, and any symptoms in your body so he or she can determine if Viagra is right for you.

Taking Erectile Dysfunction Drugs recreationally could destroy what’s left of your erectile function and may even make you dependent on the drugs themselves. Overall, the risk doesn’t seem worth the reward.