Headaches from Viagra? 6 Ways to Prevent Headaches from ED Pills

Have you experienced the dreaded Viagra headache? Are these headaches so severe that they’ve diminished your desire to have sex entirely? If so, you’re not alone.

Erectile dysfunction—also known as the inability to get or maintain an erection—can be a debilitating health condition.

One of the most prescribed treatments for ED is prescription pills like Viagra, Levitra, and Stendra. Also known as PDE5 inhibitors, these prescription medications are a commonly used option to men struggling with erectile problems.

Having said that, these medications are far from perfect. ED pills do not treat the underlying causes of erectile dysfunction, and instead, aim to treat the symptoms of dysfunction. Additionally, they also come with a fair share of severe side effects—Viagra headaches being one of the most common.

While it’s advised to consult an ED specialist for a diagnosis and treatment plan, there are some things you can do to lessen the chances of getting a headache from Viagra or another ED medication.

Let’s learn more about the types of drugs used to treat ED, how they cause headaches, and ways to prevent headache pain.

Erectile Dysfunction Drugs

PDE5 is an enzyme in the walls of the blood vessels. It affects blood flow and how cells signal within our body. ED drugs inhibit or block the PDE5 enzyme, which consequently relaxes the blood vessels and increases blood flow.

The following compounds in ED pills aim to improve blood circulation:

• Sildenafil: Used in Viagra, it lasts for 4 to 6 hours
• Tadalafil: Used in Cialis, it lasts for 24 to 36 hours
• Vardenafil: Used in Levitra, it lasts for 5 to 7 hours
• Avanafil: Used in Stendra, it lasts up to 6 hours

According to a published article, these PDE5 inhibitors may also be used to treat cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

These drugs must be taken only under the care of a medical professional. Consult a local ED doctor before consuming any medications, as the significant side effects of ED pills may be avoided through alternative ED therapies.

How Does Viagra Cause a Headache?

PDE5 inhibitors all have a range of side effects, some mild and others severe. In fact, as many as 25% of men prescribed Viagra reported some level of headache after using the medication.

Headaches may occur when one of two conditions are met:

1. The user takes a higher dose than their body can tolerate
2. The user ingests ED pills too frequently

When you take ED pills, blood flow in your entire body is amplified. Your brain also bears the brunt of increased pressure, which is the underlying reason why headaches spur after taking ED pills.

If you are experiencing headaches while taking ED drugs, speak to your physician to get a proper evaluation.

Treating Headaches from ED Medications

Headaches are not pleasant, especially during the moments leading up to physical intimacy.

However, there are some ways you can limit the adverse impact of ED pills. Here are some things you can do if you want to get rid of the headaches.

1. Ask for a Lower Dose

Most times, headaches are a result of taking a higher dosage than necessary. Try reducing the dosage in consultation with your doctor. Viagra is generally available in 3 dosage options: 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg.

This may not guarantee complete protection against headaches. But according to a study conducted, the higher the dosage of ED medication, the more severe the side effect.

2. Consider Alternative ED Treatments

Headaches from ED pills can occur for a variety of reasons. In nearly all cases, however, ED medications seek to reduce the symptoms of sexual dysfunction and do not treat the causes at the source of dysfunction. This can lead to a pattern of constant consumption of ED medication without significant improvement in sexual health.

There are alternative methods for treating erectile dysfunction long term. As such, consider consulting a doctor for guidance about treatment options that target the underlying causes of sexual dysfunction such as ED therapy or acoustic wave therapy.

For those looking for short term headache relief, over-the-counter medicines are available that are made to help with headache pain.

Two good OTC pain reliever medications are ibuprofen and acetaminophen. They don’t interfere with the efficacy of ED pills and can help you manage pain.

3. Take Viagra with Food

Medication taken on an empty stomach can inadvertently cause headaches. If you want to decrease the risk, eat a light meal before taking the drug to slow down the absorption while retaining its benefits.

According to a research trial, eating food with sildenafil (Viagra) may delay the action of sildenafil to above 10 hours. Therefore, be mindful of the time and food before using ED drugs.

4. Refrain from Heavy Alcohol Consumption

Both alcohol and Viagra reduce blood pressure. When taken together, fainting and dizziness can be the unwanted outcome.

To minimize the risk of adverse effects, it’s best to avoid alcohol or limit your intake to no more than 2 drinks.

Around 45% of men in a trial used alcohol with PDE5 inhibitors, which might lead to severe complications, including chest discomfort and dizziness, as per a 2019 research study.

5. Stay Hydrated

If you’re taking ED pills while dehydrated, you’re increasing the risk of acquiring headaches. But even beyond ED pills, it’s crucial to keep yourself hydrated at all times. Since dehydration is a contributing factor to ED, make sure you have enough water in your system to avoid sexual health problems.

Viagra is a mild diuretic, which can make your body release excess water. Low water levels in the body can cause headaches even without medication like Viagra.

As such, make sure you are hydrated at all times. Being hydrated not only reduces headaches but can also lend you a boost of energy.

6. Other Ways to Reduce Your Headache

While not as potent as the above methods, the following tips may help you reduce the intensity or probability of a cluster headache bout.

1. Dim the lights in the room. Sildenafil may cause reversible eye-related side effects like light sensitivity and light perception.
2. Try relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing to minimize stress.
3. Use a cold compress or a damp cloth on your forehead.

If your headache persists, consider contacting your healthcare provider.

Regain Your Sexual Vitality with Medical Guidance from Jacksonville’s Top ED Clinic