Paralysis frequently affects male sexual function, including changes in sensation and responsiveness. Nerve damage from the injury makes it hard for most men to ejaculate or get and keep an erection, making it a huge concern for them.
Up to 80% of men experience erectile dysfunction (ED) following a spinal cord injury (SCI) due to disrupted neural pathways necessary for erection.
But that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible. Fortunately, there are multitude effective treatments for erectile dysfunction in spinal cord injury patients.
One of them is Viagra.
How does Viagra work on paralyzed man?
Viagra belongs to a class of oral medications known as phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors. Studies have shown that Viagra can be used to treat erectile dysfunction in paraplegic patients similarly to how it is in non-paraplegics.
But how does Viagra work?
Two types of natural erections govern sexual function in men. Psychogenic erections begin with seeing, feeling, or hearing something sexually appealing. And a reflex erection occurs after physical touching of the penile area.
Viagra is effective against all types of erectile dysfunction by releasing nitric oxide, which relaxes muscles and blood vessels within the penis and allows more blood to reach the penis. The combination of relaxation and increased blood flow helps to fill the penis with blood, making it easier to acquire and keep an erection going.
A research study showed that Viagra helped 85% of participants get an erection for 30–35 minutes.
Viagra is effective against all types of erectile dysfunction by releasing nitric oxide, which relaxes muscles and blood vessels within the penis and allows more blood to reach the penis. The combination of relaxation and increased blood flow helps to fill the penis with blood, making it easier to acquire and keep an erection going.
A research study showed that Viagra helped 85% of participants get an erection for 30–35 minutes.
Here, Dr. David Mills discusses the effectiveness of Viagra in treating erectile dysfunction.
It has been shown in a new study that men with spinal cord injuries who have trouble getting and maintaining an erection may safely and effectively use viagra sildenafil for erectile dysfunction.
Where to purchase Viagra for Erectile dysfunction
Getting Viagra and other medications for erectile dysfunction is available with a doctor’s prescription and can be bought online or using the offline methods mentioned below.
Offline.
Offline prescriptions for Viagra can be obtained by simply consulting your general practitioner.
Face-to-face consultations can seem awkward and intrusive, so it’s essential to choose a doctor with whom you feel safe discussing your sexual health.
Online.
With increasing telehealth providers offering remote telehealth services, it’s easier than ever to seek a prescription online and forego an in-person doctor’s appointment. A doctor will look at your history of spinal cord injury and decide if you can take the drug through an online consultation.
Some of the best online options in the USA are
- Hims.
Hims is a telemedicine company that delivers generic and brand-name prescriptions for five FDA-approved drugs, including Viagra. Consultation and delivery are provided at no cost.
- Roman.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the men’s health products that Roman offers. Branded Viagra costs $70 for each dosage. Roman also sells generic Viagra and offers free follow-ups.
- Lemonaid.
Lemonaid is another online telehealth service that allows consultations with doctors right away. Compared to other online pharmacies, it has low prices. Depending on the dose, a pill costs between $25 and $65, and delivery takes between 2 and 3 days.
- Bluechew.
If you are looking for chewable tablets for your erectile dysfunction, then BlueChew is the best website to order from.
The brand provides discrete delivery, monthly refills, and chewable tablets ranging from 20$ to six pills.
- Rex MD.
Rex MD also requires a medical consultation online with a doctor. If the physician determines that Viagra is appropriate, the service will mail the drug directly to the sci patients with free two-day delivery, costing almost $6 a pill.
Dosage and recommendations for people with spinal cord injuries:
The typical daily dose of Viagra is 50 to 100 mg.
The recommended interval between medication and sexual activity is one hour. Drug activity begins between 14 to 60 minutes and lasts for up to four hours, even for people with spinal cord injuries.
Viagra is most effective on an empty stomach and should be taken several hours before or after eating.
But if you eat early, avoid a high-fat meal, which might slow absorption and onset.
Also, while taking Viagra, limiting yourself to a single daily dose is best. If you want to engage in sexual activity frequently throughout the day, you should not take a tablet each time.
Side effects of viagra
It is important to remember that Viagra may also cause dizziness, headache, hot flashes, and visual disturbances since it lowers blood pressure, occurring in 13% of men with spinal cord injuries.
Another reason to be cautious is that improper use of these medicines can cause priapism, characterized by a painfully prolonged erection. If left untreated, priapism can cause permanent damage to the penile tissue.
Also, talk to your doctor before using any ED medicine, especially if you have a history of autonomic dysreflexia, because certain medications may not combine well with others.
Other options for spinal cord injury patients
Research involving males with spinal cord injuries has shown phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) is a safe and efficient treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Other drugs, such as Cialis and Levitra, significantly improve the quality of erections and the satisfaction of sex life for most men with erectile dysfunction who have injuries between T6 and L5.
But these vasoactive drugs are contraindicated for men with low or high blood pressure or vascular disease, as they can cause autonomic dysreflexia, a severe complication of spinal cord injury.
If drugs like Viagra don’t help, one shouldn’t give up hope. There are other methods to boost your sexual activity, such as
- Intracavernosal injections and a drug called Caverject can be used for treating ed. Your doctor will teach you or your partner how to use it if and is reasonably effective for all levels of spinal cord injuries.
- Urethral suppositories can also help to get a reflex erection.
- Vacuum erection devices are designed to draw blood into erectile tissues.
- Penile implants as a last resort if nothing works and sexual dysfunction persists.
Real-Life Examples of Couples
A C5–6 spinal cord injury patient, Danny Walden, has been married to Beth for 14 years. He previously used penile injection therapy but has found that Viagra is more effective. Beth claims that their sexual life has flourished since they started using Viagra. “Danny can start things up more naturally,” she explains.
Another spinal cord-injured male, Eric, believes that the results of using Viagra are very noticeable. Knowing that a piece of myself still exists and boosts my confidence. He had a sexual relationship from the start, but I could never enjoy it to the same degree as before. “This makes it possible for me to,” adds his girlfriend.
This video is all about the use of Viagra sildenafil and how Jhon experienced an erection after its use.
In this video, Craig, and Claire, a spinal cord-injured couple, share their thoughts about sexual intimacy and the use of Viagra for sexual function improvement.
While we’re at it, let’s make it fun.
Viagra is a miracle blue pill used for spinal cord-injured men to improve their sexual life, quality of life, and recovery.
But to be effective, Viagra requires arousal and sexual activity. It will not produce an erection on its own. To make it work, you can also use the following tips,
Create an atmosphere.
To enjoy intimate time with your partner, a good idea is to create an atmosphere of intimacy. The use of words, noises, or music may create a romantic environment.
You can also experiment with what fragrances make you more sexually aroused or by lighting candles and turning down the lights.
Physical touch, such as holding hands, hugging, and kissing, can also convey a sense of intimacy.
Explore the body.
Sexual arousal can be brought on by touch alone. So spend some time exploring the parts of your body that still have sensations that may be arousing. If you’ve lost feelings in certain body areas but not others, let your partner know which ones.
You can ask your partner to examine every inch of your body, from your hair and face to your chest and stomach, your back and buttocks, and your hands and feet. You never know what shocking sensations you may yet be able to experience.
Your partner may fear harming or inflicting pain on you. Assure them that you are fine and let them know if anything is causing discomfort.
Ask your partner to wear lingerie.
Lingerie isn’t simply for eye candy; it’s supposed to promote an intimate time for you and your partner and, of course, better sexual stimulation for spinal cord-injured patients.
Don’t hesitate to ask your partner to wear lingerie. After all, it’s not too much to ask for!
Experiment.
Trying new things is a great way to take your sexual relationship to the next level. The only way to figure out what does and does not feel good to your spouse is to talk about it.
The greater your comfort level, the less self-conscious you will feel, allowing your partner to feel the same.
Consider using cannabis (marijuana).
While Viagra is the best option for having an erection, cannabis (marijuana) can also be used to help relieve pain and muscle spasms in men with spinal cord injuries.
Cannabis has been shown to increase sexual drive in humans and can also help patients with spinal cord injuries. Consider using marijuana for purposes other than pain relief.
Stay Self Confident.
According to studies, one’s sense of sexual self-confidence improves as soon as one becomes more at peace with their disability. So the best thing is to become aware and accept yourself with confidence. It will also help you have a satisfying sexual life.
Have a plan afterward
Your fun time may continue; do the following instead of sleeping and missing out on this time.
When you’re making love, it’s a wonderful idea to watch a movie together. Never watch anything too sad or intense. Pick romantic films or tv shows your partner watches. The Notebook or Love Story can be good choices.
Snacks. Getting intimate can be tiring, especially after a spinal cord injury. So the best idea is to prepare a snack like a healthy fruit salad or popcorn and enjoy it while lying in bed together.
Snuggle. Cuddling is the most effective way to express affection for your partner. Snuggling and cuddling can strengthen bonds and create an excellent emotional link.
Remember to enjoy yourselves.
Men and their partners need to appreciate and handle these concerns to adjust to life after a spinal cord injury.
Being with someone easy to talk to and open to trying new activities might help you and your partner figure out what you two like doing together.
Stay Safe.
The risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease is equivalent to before and after paralysis. STDs can cause many health problems, such as infertility, urinary tract infections (UTIs), genital warts, and even HIV/AIDS.
The most reliable and effective way to stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases is to use a condom with spermicidal gel. This will improve your and your partner’s sexual health. The most reliable and effective way to stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases is to use a condom with spermicidal gel. This will improve your and your partner’s sexual health.
Before you go
Long-term spinal cord injuries affect a man’s sexuality and fertility. Ejaculation is one of several bodily activities that can be impaired by a spinal cord injury and is a far more complex procedure than getting a natural erection.
What are the options for complete ejaculation, and what are the options for men with spinal cord injuries who want to father children? Read my article here on how a paralyzed man can make a woman pregnant.
