The mechanism of Viagra
The erectile mechanism of the penis involves nitric oxide (NO) being released – this compound is released in response to sexual stimulation in the corpora cavernosa.
- Nitric oxide is responsible for activating guanylate cyclase, which results in an increase in the tissue levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP).
- This increase induces smooth-muscle relaxation in the corpora cavernosa and this in turn allows the inflow of blood.
- Viagra (sildenafil citrate ) does not cause a direct relaxation of the human corpora cavernosa.
- Viagra enhances the effect of nitric oxide (NO) by inhibiting phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5).
- PDE5 is responsible for causing the degradation of cGMP in the corpora cavernosa – this makes the penis become flaccid, or relaxed, as blood flow out of the penis increases.
- Sexual stimulation induces local release of NO, while Viagra inhibits PDE5, which causes an increase in tissue levels of cGMP in the corpora cavernosa. This allows continuing smooth-muscle relaxation, which permits inflow of blood to the corpora cavernosa, and erection of the penis.
- Viagra does not work when sexual stimulation is absent.
Do NOT take Viagra
- if you are using medications that contain nitrates, such as nitroglycerin
- if you have any history of heart attack, heart attack, stroke, or recent irregular heart rhythm
- either low or high blood pressure
- condition of heart failure or chest pain
- eye disorders
On rare occasions Viagra has also caused prolonged erection called priapism: any erection that lasts longer than three hours should be regarded as dangerous and the man concerned should go to the emergency room.
Apart from Viagra, there are some things you can do which will help you to regain your erection, even though they may not fall under the heading of “treatment” as such: using a combination of Viagra and sexual therapy. But there are also a number of other things you can do which will aid any treatment you may undertake for erection problems.
The first one is all about tuning into your body. Sex is better when you are more aware of your level of arousal, what your body is doing, and how you are feeling.
After a certain length of time or after you have reached a certain point in arousal you are ready to ejaculate. After you’ve come, the resolution phase begins, your arousal and erection go down, and your respiration returns to normal.
For any cure or treatment of erection problems to work, you need to be emotionally and physically aware of the level of arousal you have reached. When you are aware of your level of arousal, you have a much better sense of what your body is doing. This gives you much greater potential to control what happens to it.
We see that some men with erection problems have spent a lifetime tuning out the signals that their body is sending them during sex. Instead of listening to feedback from their body which tells them how near or far away from ejaculation they may be, they may rely heavily on fantasy or sexual techniques to reach the point of ejaculation. To regain awareness of what your body is telling you during sex:
1) Avoid drugs or alcohol – these blur your self-awareness.
2) Pay attention to your whole body, not just your penis. Your entire body can be a source of pleasure during sex, and the more you become body-centered rather than penis-centered, the more you are likely to enjoy a good relationship and great sex.
Video – mindful sex
If you can enter a state of relaxed awareness of your body, the less important it becomes to have an erection or not. In other words, losing your penis-centered approach to sex takes a level of pressure off you. This can only help to increase the chances of you maintaining an erection during sexual connection.
Using a system of deep breathing is a good way of remaining relaxed and encouraging further relaxation. As you may know, when you make love, your breathing tends to become much more shallow and fast as you get aroused. Breathing deeply is a very good way to stay relaxed.
Unfortunately, a lot of men do not understand this and take a lot of shallow breaths. Don’t do this – try and remain relaxed and breathe deeply. You may well be surprised how much effect this can have on your ability to become aroused and erect.
3) Try and accept stimulation of your penis with a relaxed mind, without becoming tense, and without worrying about whether or not you’ll get an erection. You can train yourself to do this by allowing your partner to pleasure you while you keep focused on your body, not just on your penis. Generally speaking, the more you wish to get an erection, the less likely it is to happen. Repeat this several times over a few weeks.
Some other suggestions to gain greater control of anxiety about losing your erection
The position you use for sex is important, as some positions contribute to a lot of bodily tension, and this exacerbate your anxiety. Try woman top sex positions or side by side positions for greater control.
Release your emotions during sex: for example, make as much noise as you feel you wish to, don’t be inhibited about it, or about expressing your experience. Letting whatever you feel out (rather than keeping it locked in your body) can help to release tension and will therefore help you to stay aroused and relaxed rather than anxious and turned-off.
Don’t get hung up about losing your erection: loss of erection happens even to men who don’t consider they have erectile dysfunction! Your aim is to gradually become more relaxed and calm during sex.
Make sure you meet your partner’s needs but don’t spend your entire sexual experience focusing on what she wants. Feeling responsible for your partner’s sexual needs is very stressful, and you can’t be into your own body if your attention is constantly turned outwards towards your partner. Women prefer a different kind of lovemaking to men…. in general.
Men often prefer something shorter and quicker, but if you spread your attention and effort over your whole body, you may find that the pressure to perform largely dissipates, and you may well find you become more erect because of it.
The whole sexual experience is there to be enjoyed. An erection might mean your body is ready for sex, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you are emotionally ready for sex. So spend lots of time enjoying foreplay with your partner. Cunnilingus is often a good way for a man to increase his own arousal without pressure – as long as you don’t feel obliged to give your partner an orgasm (and so put more pressure on yourself).
Learn some good sexual techniques. Learn something about her G spot, for example, and how you can best stimulate it. The results are often incredible, because making love to an aroused woman can be the best way of getting aroused yourself. And massaging and kissing your partner can be very erotic acts. If you want to learn more about these techniques, this might help.