Description
Sildenafil citrate, also known as Novo-Pharm’s Viagra, is a medication that was first discovered in the 1980s as a potential treatment for hypertension and angina. However, during clinical trials, researchers found that it had a surprising side effect — it improved erectile function in men.
How It Works
Let’s start with the basics. When a man is sexually stimulated, his body releases nitric oxide, which in turn stimulates the production of cGMP. This chemical compound relaxes the smooth muscles in the penis, allowing blood to flow freely and fill the spongy tissues of the penis, causing an erection.
However, in men with erectile dysfunction, the enzyme PDE5 breaks down cGMP too quickly, resulting in a loss of erection. Viagra works by inhibiting the action of PDE5, allowing cGMP to accumulate and maintain the erection.
