Sociology

What is Viagra
Viagra is a trade name for a virility drug code named Sildenafil citrate used by male persons experiencing erectile dysfunction. It is normally referred to as impotence pill for men. Basically, the drug is intended to improve the sexual performance of an impotent male partner during a sexual intercourse by increasing the rate of blood flow at the pelvic region. This drug is strictly not an over-the-counter drug to avoid the abuse by undeserving parties. The drug should be administered only after recommendations from a physician. The said physician should discuss the sexual life history of the patient and his present health conditions to establish whether the case deserves such a medication.

The penis of a man functions like a balloon which when inflated it becomes elongated and rigid. In absence of this air the balloon is always limp. On the other hand, the penis uses blood flow to create pressure through a system of vessels (arteries and veins). In absence of an erection, the arteries that feed the penis with blood maintain a constricted state while the veins that are involved in draining the blood remain open. In this condition, chances of pressure building up inside the penis are lowered and the penis is maintained in a flaccid state. Conversely, when the penis is stimulated, the arteries relax allowing for an increased flow of blood into the penis (Hartley, Tiefer, 2003). On the other hand, the veins contract, limiting the outflow of blood and the blood is trapped within the penis making it become turgid and erect. The failure of the body to control this second process of erection which is a psychological process what calls for intervention of Viagra. Most of erectile dysfunctions results from physical or psychological causes. Physical causes originate from surgery complications, side effects of untreated sexually transmitted diseased like gonorrhea which affects the pelvic area, inherent complications that was present from birth. Psychological effects are as a result of prolonged stress, fear and depression. All of these complications lead to men experiencing difficulty in having and maintaining an erection that can guarantee penetration and maintain the same level of erection all through to orgasm.

Prescription
The drug is administered in tablet form which is distributed in packed form. The tablets are in mass of 25mg, 50mg and 100mg. The recommended dose is that of 50mg. Once taken, the effect of Viagra starts within two hours and can last up to four hours, for those looking for a longer lasting medication other stronger medications of Cialis (tadalafi) is recommended which can last up to longer than hours. However any erection lasting for more than four hours is likely to cause injury to the penis and immediate medical attention should be sought.

Side effects
What the manufacturers will not tell the public is the whole truth behind the use of this drug on the health of the user. Reason being, the drug is hitting a very lucrative market that does not care about its health. They want to make quick cash while taking advantage of carelessness and ignorance on the part of the consumer. Viagra is an injurious drug since it has been viewed to have more than one side effect that is never told to potential customers. On severe cases, Viagra has been found to cause heart attack or sudden death, irregular heart beats, stroke, chest pain and increased blood pressure for those suffering from blood pressure (Gross, Blundo, 2005). Use of Viagra has also been associated with deterioration color vision and sudden loss of overall vision. This happens because some of its constituents contain elements that affect contents of retina. This explains why Viagra cannot be taken by pilots within 12 hours into their flight. Such restrictions should be across the board.

Use of Viagra has also been associated with increased incidents of headaches. The drug enhances opening up of the arteries leading to the brains hence increasing the blood flow. As a result, the user feels a banging effect in the head leading to a persistent headache. Such headaches has for long been associated with a reduced reasoning capacity hence the society cannot be wrong in associating this drug with increased rates of low tempers among many men. Similar effects occur in impairing of hearing capacity. Viagra is known to take control of ones sexual drive,  incase a person takes a Viagra without a sexual partner around, chances are there he might look for a person to satisfy this burning desire for sex by all means. Use of this drug therefore increases the chances of raping cases (Sue, 2005). Sex has been associated with spreading of virulent sexual transmitted diseases like gonorrhea and HIVAIDS. Viagra does not offer protection against these diseases conversely, it reduces the potential for self control and giving one time to look for protection measures like use of a condom. Continued use of this drug has been found to cause genitourinary complications such as urinary tract infection, cystitis, breast enlargement in male, abnormal ejaculation and uncontrolled orgasms. Other complications include skin edema

Society concerns
Even though this drug is not sold over the counter without a prescription from a physician, there are fears that even those people not suffering from this condition are getting access to this drug with an intention of having an added sexual thrill. What is most worrying is that even the young youth are abusing this drug even before reaching their sexually reproductive period of marriage. Many of these men using this drug in marriage are over 45 years. At this age, most of their female spouses are going through menopause process which is normally associated with a reduced drive for sex (Brooks, Levant, 2006). This puts the female partner at a disadvantaged position. If the female partner fails to satisfy the increased desires of her husband, the husband may move out leading to infidelity thanks to the effects of this drug. Ageing is a natural process which should not be reversed by use of enhancing drugs for the sake of one party enjoyment. It is one thing to use a drug when it is necessary, and completely another when you make your body become dependent on the drug for stimulation. These men should know that, they are tuning their body mechanism be dependent on the drug even in cases where normal erection after stimulation could have occurred. This is associated with lack of self confidence and feelings during love making exercise (Sisson, 2003).

In summary, the use of Viagra has one noble point of helping those suffering from impotency of erectile dysfunction. However this drug has brought about more agony on the health of the consumers than the initial good intentions. The lack of control of the way this drug is dispensed from the shelves of pharmacists has made if be used by even undeserving populations. The economic implications faced in correcting and attending to illness associated to prolonged use of this drug adds strain to the society. A spontaneous effect on use of this drug has also been found to cause heart attacks, rapes, and spread of diseases like AIDS.