Why is Viagra no longer working for you?

Steve Hinson, PhD - Life Sciences

Published : Feb 04, 2024

Last Updated : Aug 19, 2024

Most men with ED have successfully benefited from the little blue pill – Viagra. For those who don't know, Viagra falls in the category of ED medications used to treat erection problems in males. However, some men found that Viagra did not work for them, or gradually, the drug stopped working. So, what could be why Viagra works for some but not others? Therefore, we have gathered some information to help determine the reasons for this. Also, we have shared here some tips and ways to make Viagra work for them. 

About Viagra

Viagra is a popular Erectile dysfunction medicine known as the little blue pill. It includes Sildenafil as its active ingredient, which inhibits an enzyme called PDE-5. This Ed drug works by increasing blood flow to the penis and helps a man get a hard erection under sexual stimulation. Viagra is mainly used to treat male impotence or ED, but its active salt sildenafil has many other medical uses. Sildenafil also manages conditions like pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH). PAH is a form of high blood pressure that may affect the lungs and damage tiny blood vessels in the organ. 

Viagra is a prescription medicine that you take without having a meal at the suggested dose. It usually starts its work within an hour and helps a man get and keep an erection by blocking the effects of Ed.

However, Viagra and other ED medicines aren't always 100% effective among males with erection problems. Some men still experience some erectile dysfunction even after taking Ed drugs.

However, most of such issues are fixable, and changing how you take these ED drugs may help them work effectively.

Also, finding the root causes of Erectile dysfunction can help manage such sexual issues.

The reasons Viagra is not working for you

There can be many reasons why Viagra and other ED medications do not work for some people. It can be due to misuse of Viagra, taking too low a dose of Viagra, or sometimes problems other than poor blood flow can cause its failure.

So here are some potential causes behind the not working Viagra in some people. 

Using Viagra incorrectly

It would be best if you took Viagra(Sildenafil) dosage correctly to let it work in the proper order and prevent the effects of Ed. When you take Viagra incorrectly, it can be less effective than you usually use it. It may take longer to work or may not provide any noticeable effect on your penile erection.

For best outcomes, here are some things that you should follow while taking Viagra:

Take Viagra on an empty stomach.

You can choose to take Viagra on an empty stomach or with light meals. Taking Viagra after eating a high-fat meal may deal with the rate of absorption. The drug may take longer to kick in and prevent it from working during sex.

Give it an hour to allow Viagra to work for you: You should take Viagra 30 to 60 minutes before getting involved in sex. The drug typically works best within an hour when it reaches the bloodstream properly.

There are certain foods you need to avoid while using Viagra; their interaction with Viagra may either affect its working or increase the risk of side effects.

To discover these food items, check the article ▶ Foods to Avoid When Taking Viagra.

Avoid using Viagra too early.

The peak effects of Viagra stay for up to 4 to 5 hours on the body. Taking it too early and planning to have sex after 4 hours may make it less effective for you. So make sure you take it an hour before having sex. Also, it's possible that Viagra won't work the first time you take it for your ED. So, don't be nervous. Please consult a doctor; they might help by finding the exact problem within you.

Avoid or limit your alcohol consumption.

Drinking alcohol in excessive amounts while taking Viagra can be unsafe and may not work correctly for you. It may also cause a temporary erectile dysfunction in males called whiskey dick and increase the risk of side effects of Viagra. The condition can reduce the effectiveness of Viagra, and also alcohol can impair the ability to cause an erection. Also, the use of excessive alcohol can cause erection dysfunction in some men.

Do not use recreational drugs when you take Viagra:

The use of some recreational drugs can weaken erections and may make Viagra less effective for you. So avoid using recreational drugs even if they are legal, especially when taking Viagra.

Be sexually aroused while using Viagra.

You must be sexually aroused while taking Ed drugs like Viagra. Ed drugs are mainly meant to increase blood flow to the penis. These drugs do not enhance your sexual arousal or affect it. This ensures you have a mood for sex before using Viagra; otherwise, it can be difficult to trigger an erection.

One must consult their doctor before taking Viagra or other ED medicines. Know how to take them and how to increase the drug's effectiveness.

Using a low dose of Viagra

Viagra and other generic Sildenafil medicines come in different strengths. The dose of Sildenafil ranges from 20mg to a higher dose of up to 100mg.

Some men found that using a lower dose of Viagra is less effective in them to treat ED. They either see a little effect or may not have any impact on their erection. These men found that the higher doses of Viagra were quite effective for them and helped them treat Erectile dysfunction.

Also, according to clinical trials, Viagra in higher doses showed more improvements in men who were not responding to low doses. The trials observed the effects of Viagra by gradually increasing the dosage amount among men with Ed. They found that 50mg or 100mg doses of Viagra were more effective in these men who started with a 20 mg dosage.

An article published in the International Journal of General Medicine in 2013 also shows the same conclusion about Viagra. The analysis of two studies in the article shows that men who used a 100mg dose of Sildenafil showed better results than men who used 50mg.

So, if you find that a low dose of Viagra is ineffective, you may ask your doctor to prescribe you a higher dose.

Underlying Health conditions causing Erectile dysfunction

Viagra is generally used for the treatment of Ed in adult males. But, having Ed due to any underlying health issue like heart disease or diabetes, Viagra may not help treat Ed in such cases.

There can be several physical causes of erectile dysfunction in males, for example:

• Heart disease
• Nerve damage
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol and weight gain
• High blood pressure problem
• Hormonal disbalance, such as low testosterone levels
• Physical deformity of the penis or injury that can't accommodate increased blood flow in the penis. 

Following underlying conditions may contribute to Ed, so Viagra could not work appropriately for a person. Managing an underlying health condition can help prevent the effects of Ed on your sexual responses.

For example, Low testosterone levels in males can weaken the sex drive and interrupt erectile function. But do not worry; checking your testosterone levels is straightforward and may help diagnose it. If you have low testosterone levels, seek advice from your healthcare provider. Your doctor can advise you to undergo testosterone therapy, which may help improve your sex drive.

Knowing the root causes of any health problem is always essential. Doing the same to manage Ed may help prevent it effectively. In such cases, your doctor can prescribe medications to treat these root causes alone or with a combination of Ed drugs.

Moreover, appropriate lifestyle changes are essential to improve overall health and erectile function.

Viagra Isn't the correct medicine for you.

For some men, Viagra may not be the correct medicine for their sexual needs and general health. It can be due to an allergy to its active ingredient, Sildenafil, or may not suit some men. But there is a wide range of erectile dysfunction medication available in the market, which means Viagra is not the only option.

For example, Tadalafil, an active ingredient in Cialis, is an Ed drug that lasts 36 hours. Also, ED medications like Vardenafil(Levitra) and Avanafil are available as Stendra to treat ED. Stendra is a new Ed medication with a lower risk of side effects than other drugs.

These ED drugs are different from each other and have their advantages. Generic Tadalafil (Cialis) Lasts 36 hours, whereas Viagra shows its peak effects for at least 4 to 5 hours. So, one can choose these ED drugs based on their advantage and which suits them.

As we believe everyone is different, if not Viagra, other ED medicines can be best for you. You can choose to take another Ed drug if Viagra doesn't suit you or does not work for you. However, consider taking these Ed medications only after consulting a doctor.

Viagra, Psychological Factors Causing Ed

In most cases, Ed may appear more than due to physical health issues. Ed is not limited to reduced blood flow or damage of the nerves around the male sexual organ. However, some psychological factors may develop impotence in males, such as:

• Depression
• Low self-esteem
• Sexual performance anxiety

Following mental issues may lead to nervousness during sex or lower your sex desire. So, if you are facing Ed due to physiological factors, Viagra may not work for you. It would help if you took other combined therapies with Viagra to get rid of your Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction. As you have read above, Viagra only improves blood flow to your penis; it does not treat depression or anxiety or enhance your sexual interest.

Instead, counselling or sex therapy may help improve these mental health issues. For some men, a combination of psychological treatment and Viagra, like an Ed drug, may help prevent Ed effectively. 

What if Viagra is not working after one successful experiment?

Some men notice that after taking Viagra for several weeks, months, or even years, it no longer works for them now as it used to. Behind Viagra not working after successful use, there can be many reasons, for example:

If you experience a change in your health, Viagra may be less effective for you now.

In cases where you have medical problems that affect the blood flow to your penis, it can make Viagra less effective. Mental health issues that affect your sexual relationship with your partner can also be affected over time. It may be hard to trigger the same sexual desire between you now. The following reasons can lead to ED, which may turn Viagra to be less effective or less effective after successful use.

In such cases, it would be better to consult a doctor to manage the effectiveness of ED treatment. They can advise you on other alternative therapies, such as:

Other Erectile dysfunction treatments

• Shockwave therapy
• Surgical procedures
• Vacuum device for erection
• penile implantation

These Ed treatment options are standard advice if Viagra doesn't work for you.

You can also try other oral medications, such as Cialis(Tadalafil), Levitra(Vardenafil), and Stendra(Avanafil).

Tips:

Cialis (Tadalafil) offers a longer duration of action, lasting up to 36 hours, compared to Viagra's 4-6 hours, allowing for more spontaneity. Stendra (avanafil) has a faster onset, working within 15 minutes for quicker results than Viagra, making it ideal for immediate needs. So, you can consider using these ED pills if Viagra doesn't work for you. Also, Discover ▶

Stendra vs. Viagra: Which is better and effective?

Final Lines

Several factors influence the effectiveness of Viagra in treating ED. Taking Viagra correctly, on an empty stomach, and allowing adequate time for it to work is crucial. Avoid excessive alcohol and recreational drugs while using Viagra. These precautions can help you achieve optimal results from your treatment.

Consult a healthcare professional to determine your ideal dosage. You may need dosage adjustments based on underlying health conditions or other factors. Change your dosage only when advised by a medical expert. Additionally, addressing underlying health conditions—both physical and psychological—is essential for your overall sexual health.

If Viagra stops working for you, seek professional medical advice. In such cases, consider alternative ED treatments, such as other oral medications or therapeutic options. Personalized approaches are often necessary to address the unique needs of men experiencing ED. This struggle may lead you back to a healthy sex life.