How does Viagra affect your sex life?

Viagra may be a little blue pill, but it can have a big impact on your sex life. But how, exactly? 

Viagra (sildenafil) is one of the most well-known ED medications, but many of us know surprisingly little about how it works. It can help out with erections, sure, but what else can Viagra do? Does it make you horny, or help you last longer in bed? Can people tell if a man is taking Viagra?

These are common questions people ask about Viagra, including both the men taking the drug and the people they are sleeping with. Fortunately, we have answers. Read on as we share how Viagra affects your sex life, and what you (and your partner) can expect from this special pill.

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To understand how Viagra works, it’s helpful to understand how erections work. A lot goes into making an erection happen. It starts in your brain, when you see, touch, or think about something that arouses you. Your brain then sends multiple signals to your penis that start numerous chemical reactions. Various chemicals relax the erectile tissues in your penis so blood can rush in and get you hard. After you orgasm (or you’re no longer aroused), an enzyme called phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) breaks down these chemicals, so the blood flow slows down. Blood also exits the penis, and your penis returns to its normal flaccid state.

Essentially, Viagra works by blocking PDE5. Because PDE5 can’t break down the chemicals that create an erection, the blood continues to flow in and get trapped in your penis, keeping you hard when you’re already sexually aroused. The word “already” is key as Viagra does not make you aroused. It can help make you hard once you’re already aroused. 

Some health providers may prescribe Viagra off-label to treat premature ejaculation (PE), but it’s unclear whether Viagra makes you last longer. In part, this is because it’s challenging to measure the exact amount of time it takes someone to ejaculate. And, just as with erectile dysfunction, a lot of factors can contribute to premature ejaculation. For example, if you have performance anxiety due to ED, treating ED with Viagra may relieve that performance anxiety, helping you last longer before you come.

That being said, some studies have found Viagra and other PDE5 inhibitors to be more effective than a placebo when increasing the time to ejaculation. And, combining PDE5 inhibitors with other therapies commonly used to treat PE — such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or behavioral therapy — might be more effective than SSRIs or treatment alone.

At the same time, other studies have found that while Viagra does slightly increase the time to ejaculation, it’s not long enough to be statistically significant. Still, the men in the study felt they had more control over when they came. And, Viagra was still found to be the most effective at boosting sexual satisfaction, even if it didn’t delay ejaculation as effectively as other options. Overall, while it’s hard to say for sure that Viagra will help you last longer, it has been shown to lead to more satisfying sex in those with PE or premature ejaculation.

For most men, the answer to that question is “in a good way.” Over 80% of men taking 100 mg of Viagra say it improves their erections, compared with only 24% taking a placebo. In one study, men got hard within an average of 36 minutes after taking Viagra, compared to 141 minutes for a placebo. Across age groups, men say that Viagra improves their:

• Erections

• Orgasms

• Sexual satisfaction

• Sexual desire

In one small study, men with premature ejaculation rated their satisfaction with intercourse before and after taking Viagra on a 1 to 5 scale. Before taking Viagra, they rated it at about a 1. After taking Viagra, their satisfaction skyrocketed to above 4.

Once you take Viagra, you won’t suddenly feel aroused. There is no chemical in it that changes your emotions or thoughts around sex. But, once you start feeling aroused, Viagra will help you get and stay hard. So, if you’ve had trouble getting hard in the past, you may notice that now that you’re taking Viagra, that’s not a problem anymore. Or, your erections on Viagra may feel harder. 

It is important to note that Viagra works for many men, some men don’t respond to Viagra initially. If that happens to you, talk to your healthcare provider about trying another ED medication or considering a change in dose. Around half of men who don’t respond to the first ED pill they try will find success with another one.

Though Viagra does not directly impact your mood or self-esteem, the improvements in your erections can indirectly lead to other benefits, like higher self-esteem, relationship satisfaction, and confidence in the bedroom.

Unlike poker, there is no “tell” that reveals a man is taking Viagra. The only way to know a man is taking Viagra is if you see him take the pill, or if he tells you. 

Now, there may be subtle clues you can pick up on if you’ve known the man for a while. For example, if your husband has expressed frustration with his erections, but now seems very happy with them, it’s possible he started taking Viagra or a similar drug. However, erections, and ED for that matter, can improve from lifestyle changes like quitting smoking or losing weight. So, again, there is no way to know for sure unless you ask a man and he says yes.

What should I expect if my partner is taking Viagra? 

If your partner is taking Viagra, your sex life may improve — a claim that’s backed up by research. People report that their partners’ erections improve when they start taking Viagra, but they also say that their own satisfaction with intercourse improves. This is true even among couples where, prior to taking Viagra, one partner reported being dissatisfied with sex at least half the time. On the whole, the majority of people with partners taking Viagra are happy with the treatment, with 90% reporting that it is effective and 60% noting an improvement in their partner’s quality of life. (Note: Most studies to date have focused on heterosexual couples.)

So, if your partner is taking Viagra, you can expect to see firmer erections in the bedroom. But, you may notice other happy effects as well. You may both be happier with your sex life, for instance. And, you may see your partner feeling better about themselves and your relationship — both in and out of the bedroom. 

Viagra is a safe and effective treatment for ED. For most men, the side effects are tolerable. But, it’s worth knowing which side effects are common and what might be cause for concern. The most common side effects of Viagra include:

• Headache

• Flushing

• Indigestion or upset stomach 

• Nasal congestion

• Back pain

• Muscle aches

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Rash 

Of these, headache and flushing are the most common. Up to 11% of men also experience temporary changes in vision while taking Viagra, such as increased sensitivity to light or blurred vision. However, these changes are mild and should return to normal after the effects wear off. If the vision changes persist, or you notice any of the following potentially serious side effects, stop taking Viagra and seek medical care immediately:

• An erection, painful or not, lasting more than 4 hours

• Sudden decrease in or loss of hearing 

• Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes

• Dizziness, chest pain, or nausea during sex

People taking certain medications to treat low blood pressure or heart problems may be at increased risk of experiencing serious side effects when taking Viagra. These medications include alpha blockers, anti-hypertensives, and CYP inhibitors, such as ritonavir, ketoconazole, itraconazole, and erythromycin. People taking nitrates should not take Viagra. If you have any questions, you should contact your healthcare provider. 

Have more questions about Viagra and your sex life? We’ve got answers.

Does Viagra increase your libido? 

Since Viagra gets you hard, it’s natural to wonder, “Does Viagra turn you on?” Alas, Viagra does not turn you on. The effects of Viagra are largely physical, and focus on making you and keeping you hard. However, it can be psychologically reassuring to have the option to take Viagra. A 2013 study found that among both men and women who experienced sexual dysfunction due to antidepressants, taking Viagra improved their libido and sexual drive within six months. 

Furthermore, Viagra may help turn you on if you are a woman with female sexual interest/arousal disorder (FSIAD), which is why it may be prescribed off-label for this purpose. 

Does Viagra keep you hard after coming?

Viagra may help shorten your refractory period (the time you need to recover after having an orgasm), according to a few small studies. One small study of 20 men showed after taking Viagra, men were ready to go again after just 2.6 minutes, compared with nearly 11 minutes for those taking a placebo. Of course, larger studies are needed to confirm this finding. 

How soon does Viagra start working? 

Ideally, you should take Viagra around one hour before having sex, although Viagra can start working within 30 minutes (and some studies have found that it can start working in as little as 14–20 minutes). You can take Viagra with or without food, but if you take it after eating a high-fat meal, it may take longer to start working. Viagra works for up to 5 hours.

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How we reviewed this article

Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.

Current version

March 19, 2024

Written by

Amelia Willson

Fact checked by

Raagini Yedidi, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Raagini Yedidi, MD