Is Viagra Safe for Seniors? (20 Critical Statistics)

Viagra, sometimes referred to as sildenafil citrate, is often heralded as one of the world’s most potent drugs for treating erectile dysfunction.

This drug helps men stimulate an erection by allowing the blood vessels in the erectile tissues to relax, allowing for more blood to enter through its chambers.

Despite Viagra being safe for most individuals, severe health risks and side effects may arise from continuous consumption.

These risks are further exacerbated when the subject is already medicated with certain types of drugs

Before seniors take Viagra, it’s imperative to discuss the potential interactions the drug has with their doctor. Skipping the crucial step can leave you susceptible to the progressive worsening of your health.

To paint a clearer picture, here are some critical statistics to help you better understand the details and the risks that can come with taking Viagra as a senior.

Is Viagra Effective?

While many men report satisfactory results after taking Viagra, this is primarily due to the short term benefit that this medication can provide.

Despite positive claims, not all is good. Constant Viagra consumption may cause men to develop tachyphylaxis, or a dependence on the drug to perform sexually.

This can cause long-term difficulties to sustain an erection when a patient decides to not take Viagra. That said, more research needs to be conducted to prove this association.

Fortunately, other viable treatments for ED are available – and more on that later.

Who Takes Viagra? 5 Key Statistics

Medically speaking, men aged 18 and older and without health complications are cleared to take Viagra. The average Viagra user is about 53 years old.

The only time men should take Viagra is when they’re about to engage in sexual intercourse in the next hour. It’s not a pill that should be taken when there’s no intent to have sex.

Furthermore, the most common users of Viagra are the ones struggling with erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. The former is often more prevalent among seniors, but young men are susceptible to falling for this disease as well.

Here are some key ED statistics regarding the prevalence of ED globally, according to the Boston University School of Medicine.

The worldwide prevalence of erectile dysfunction is expected to reach 155 million people by 2025.

1. The percentage of people who suffer from ED under the age of 40 is 5-10%.
2. For people aged 40-49, this figure rises to 22%.
3. According to a study in the Journal of Urology, men aged 50 and above have a 67% chance of having ED.
4. The seniors have it worst, as the aforementioned study stated that 89% of people aged 70-79 have some form of ED.
5. Many elderly men believe that an active sex life is important, with about 50.3–92% leaning towards the affirmative.

While the percentages above are a good benchmark, they fail to take into account the varying severities of ED that a man can face. Many people suffer from just mild erectile dysfunction, but there’s still a noticeable trend that ED severity also increases with age.

Regardless, it’s still clear that seniors are more likely to suffer from ED, which is why the need for Viagra and other clinical measures have such a staggeringly high demand.

Moving on from ED prevalence, let’s look at the typical dosages of Viagra.

Viagra Dosages for Patients: 3 Key Statistics

1. Mild ED: People with milder forms of erectile dysfunction can take the lowest FDA-approved starting dose of 25 mg.
2. Moderate ED: People with moderate ED should take a 50 mg dose of Viagra.
3. Severe ED: People who suffer from severe cases of ED are prescribed the highest Viagra dosage, 100 mg.

The higher dosages are more likely to be prescribed by doctors for seniors with severe ED as this will allow the substance to circulate the body for a longer time.

That said, it’s imperative to only take this pill once a day to prevent the risk of side effects.

10 Common Side Effects of Viagra

A controlled study involving 511 men has found recurring side effects following Viagra consumption. The most common side effects included headaches, flushing, indigestion and nasal congestion.

After men ingested 50 mg of Viagra, here are the most common side effects ED patients have faced:

• Headaches: 21% of the patients experienced this.
• Flushing: 19% of patients.
• Dyspepsia: 9% of patients.
• Abnormal vision: 2% of patients.
• Nausea: 3% of patients.
• Back pain: 4% of patients.
• Nasal congestion: 4% of patients.
• Rash: 2% of patients.
• Myalgia: 2% of patients.
• Dizziness: 4% of patients.

With all these side effects in mind, Viagra can pose a risk to certain individuals. That’s why it’s important to be aware of some key prerequisites before taking this medication.

Who Shouldn’t Take Viagra

These are the types of people who shouldn’t take Viagra tablets:

• Women
• Men with heart or liver disease
• Men with severe high blood pressure or low blood pressure problems
• Men with an allergic reaction to sildenafil
• Men who are taking angina medication

The list above is not exhaustive. Be sure to check in with a licensed professional to determine if you’re eligible to take Viagra and that you don’t face any risks from drug interactions.

Alternative Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction

While Viagra is proven to succeed in achieving an erection more often than not, it’s not the safest way to treat erectile dysfunction.

The advent of technology has brought about a plethora of non-invasive treatments that have been reported to be effective in achieving an erection.

Here are a few of these treatments:

• RestoreWave therapy: Also referred to as acoustic wave therapy, this is a non-invasive treatment that uses acoustic waves to stimulate blood flow to the penis.
• Vacuum therapy: A type of therapy that uses a vacuum device to stimulate an erection.
• Plication surgery: An invasive surgery that inserts a suture in the penis to help it achieve an erection.
• ED therapy: A combination of gels, creams, and injections are used to help bring about an erection.

Of course, supplementing treatment with the right lifestyle choices like eating the right diet and performing steamy mindfulness exercises also do wonders for your sexual health.

Bring Your Sex Life to the Next Level with the Top Men’s Clinic in Ft. Lauderdale

By all accounts, Viagra is a convenient way to achieve an erection. But the advancement of medicine and technology has brought on safer and more superior competitors on the stage.

Side effects and medical interactions are some of the reasons why Viagra often falls flat as an erection enabler. After all, ED therapies like RestoreWave therapy do a much better job of achieving a harder, longer-lasting erection with fewer risks involved.

If you’re looking to start enjoying sexual activity again, don’t hesitate to book the services of Preferred Men’s Medical Center in Ft. Lauderdale. Our clinic is the premier source for treating a variety of men’s issues, such aserectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, testosterone deficiency, and many more. Book your consultation with us today.