Find your perfect match

We'll match you with the perfect product to maximize pleasure, performance and satisfaction

Let's do this!
PREMIUM PLEASURE PRODUCTS · FOR MEN

Viagra Doesn't Work: What Can I Do?

11 min read
Viagra Doesn't Work: What Can I Do?

Viagra is often thought of as a miracle solution to erectile dysfunction. Unfortunately, this isn't quite the case. However, it certainly isn't just snake oil; it's a tried and tested, highly effective treatment for ED - it just isn't a cure. And it's also not 100% effective in every case.

Viagra is a branded version of the medicine sildenafil, which is also sold under the brand names Aronix, Liberize, and Nipatra when used to treat ED. Grandipam and Revatio, medicines used in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension, also contain sildenafil.

Though it can be frustrating when Viagra or other sildenafil medication doesn't work, there are a lot of usage mistakes that you may be making, and lots of lifestyle changes you can make to improve your results.

Here, we've done a deep dive into how Viagra works, and why it might stop working. We've listed some common usage mistakes you may be making, and we've listed many changes you can make to your lifestyle which may help with the issue.

Sometimes, you may need to visit a doctor - so we've also gone over when you should get medical help, and how best to deal with your appointment.

At a Glance:

  • Viagra isn't a cure, but it's highly effective: While Viagra is not a cure for erectile dysfunction, it is a well-established treatment that works in most cases.
  • Viagra requires arousal to work: Viagra doesn’t cause erections on its own; sexual stimulation is necessary for it to take effect.
  • Common issues with effectiveness: Timing is key – taking Viagra too soon or too late, as well as combining it with alcohol or heavy meals, can reduce its effectiveness.
  • Lifestyle factors matter: Improvements like regular exercise, weight loss, quitting smoking, and managing stress can enhance Viagra’s results.
  • When to see a doctor: If lifestyle changes don’t help, or if side effects occur, consult a doctor to adjust your dosage or explore other treatments.

How Should Viagra Work?

Viagra works by blocking PDE5 - an enzyme your body uses to stop erections - from working, resulting in stronger erections that last much longer. As such, it can be a useful medication for treating erectile dysfunction, but it doesn't cause erections by itself - you still need to be sexually aroused.

The chemical cGMP causes erections by widening your blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the penis. This is eventually stopped by the release of PDE5 which helps break down the cGMP - but this process can happen too fast in men with erectile dysfunction.

PDE5 inhibitors such as Viagra prevent the breaking down of cGMP, allowing increased blood flow.

Viagra usually gets to work pretty fast - in most cases, it'll be working between 30 to 60 minutes after you take it. Generally, Viagra is at its most effective around an hour after you take it. As the medicine is removed from the body over the following hours, its potency decreases - meaning it'll work less and less well before it fully stops.

Why Might Viagra Stop Working?

Generally, if Viagra stops working (or simply doesn't work from the get-go), it's for one of the following reasons:

  • You aren't sufficiently sexually aroused to get an erection
  • You aren't taking a high enough dosage
  • You haven't waited long enough after taking your dose
  • You've waited too long after taking your dose
  • Your erectile dysfunction is caused by either an underlying health condition or psychological factors
  • You're taking a PDE5 inhibitor that doesn't work for your body


Viagra, and other sildenafil products and ED medications, are never going to be effective in every case, all the time. However, in most cases, it should work at least some of the time, depending on the cause of your ED. Psychological ED, or ED caused by certain underlying health conditions, may require the root cause to be treated, as opposed to treating ED as a symptom.

As we mentioned earlier, you still need to be aroused to be able to get an erection, even when taking Viagra.

If you are unable to get aroused to the point of erection, it probably won't work. If you're aroused and still aren't getting as hard as you'd want, you may have either not waited long enough for Viagra to take effect, or waited too long, and its potency has started to decrease. Try to have sex around 30 minutes to 1 hour after taking it.

The medication itself may also be the issue. The dosage of Viagra ranges from 25mg to 100mg - if Viagra isn't working for you, a higher dosage may help. You might also find a different PDE5 inhibitor works better for you. Other PDE5 inhibitors used to treat ED include Cialis (tadalafil), Levitra (vardenafil), and Stendra (avanafil).

You may also just need to give it another try. Some men find that Viagra doesn't work the first time they use it - or the first few times, for that matter. Being nervous or stressed about using it can lessen its effectiveness, so give it a few tries before you return to your doctor.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Viagra

Sometimes common mistakes can result in Viagra not working how you want it to work. It pays to be aware of these mistakes so you can change your behavior if necessary.

You might find you get much better results if you eliminate the following mistakes:

1. Don't expect Viagra to work immediately

Viagra takes time to kick into gear - usually between 30 minutes to a full hour. These times can vary a little from person to person, but the point still stands; Viagra does not work immediately, so don't take it in the heat of the moment hoping for an instant erection. You'll only end up disappointed, which might put you off whatever it is you're doing. There's no rush, so give it some time.

2. Avoid using Viagra with alcohol

While you shouldn't run into any serious complications if you drink a small amount of alcohol while taking Viagra (according to the FDA and this 2004 study), too much alcohol can cause ED and can make it harder to get an erection even in healthy males.

Furthermore, too much alcohol can increase the risk of experiencing Viagra's side effects including low blood pressure, dizziness, headaches, and nausea. For these reasons, we'd recommend avoiding alcohol when taking Viagra.

3. Avoid taking Viagra with a large or high-fat meal

Viagra can work faster if taken on an empty stomach, but the reverse is also true; taking Viagra with a large or heavy meal - particularly with foods that contain high amounts of fat - can cause it to work slower. This can result in it not working properly even if you do wait the recommended 30 to 60 minutes after taking it. If you're planning on taking Viagra with a meal, either ensure it's light and low fat or wait a couple of hours after eating before taking it.

4. Don't expect Viagra to work without arousal

As we've already mentioned, Viagra works by inhibiting PDE5 - the enzyme the body releases to stop erections. PDE5 is responsible for breaking down cGMP - one of the chemicals that causes erections. Due to this, Viagra only works if you can get an erection in the first place, which requires the changes in blood flow and muscle relaxation brought about by arousal and the release of cGMP. If you aren't aroused, Viagra will not give you an erection.

5. Viagra might not work well if your testosterone levels are low

Testosterone is thought to play quite a considerable role in erectile function. Men with low testosterone are more likely to have reduced erectile function and are more likely to have erectile dysfunction. Moreover, testosterone replacement has been shown to improve erectile function in some men.

As stated in the journal entry linked above, a "significant portion" of men who do not respond to PDE5 inhibitors are testosterone deficient.

Unfortunately, since you need to be able to achieve an erection for Viagra and other PDE5 inhibitors to work, men with low testosterone may have less success in using the medication.

Lifestyle Adjustments That Can Improve Erections with Viagra

Lifestyle adjustments can have a very positive effect on erectile function; there are many things you can do to help improve your erections, all of which can help you see better results when taking PDE5 inhibitors such as Viagra. Anything you can do to help achieve an erection will result in Viagra working much better.

Here are some lifestyle adjustments we vehemently suggest making if you're looking to improve your erections and increase the effects of Viagra:

1. Add some daily exercise or physical activity

Exercise - specifically regular aerobic exercise - has been shown to be an effective treatment for men with erectile dysfunction. It's also medicine-free, generally very low-risk, and is good for your overall health.

A lack of exercise can contribute to health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity, all of which can contribute to erectile dysfunction by damaging the blood vessels and arteries required for proper blood flow to the penis.

2. Work on losing some body fat

Carrying excess body fat and being overweight can lead to obesity and other metabolic issues such as diabetes. Obesity is generally (though not always) caused by a combination of poor diet and a lack of exercise, which can also increase your blood pressure. As we just discussed, all of these things can contribute to erection problems.

Thankfully, managing your weight with exercise and diet changes can reverse these effects, and boost your overall health. In cases where obesity isn't caused by lack of exercise and poor diet, medications can also be helpful treatments, and you should see the same results with them.

3. Quit smoking

We all know that smoking is terrible for your general health due to all the toxic chemicals you inhale, but it can also contribute to ED as, like some of the other things we've mentioned, it damages your circulatory system.

The article we just linked to does conclude, however, that strategies employed to quit smoking including nicotine patches, nicotine gum, nicotine inhalers, counseling, support groups, and education programs, are all effective treatments for smokers struggling with ED.

That article also found that abstaining from smoking and quitting it altogether can actually help reverse the damage caused by the habit, so even if you've been smoking for a while, it's not too late to stop - better late than never.

4. Work on your stress levels

Stress and anxiety can contribute to various penile health conditions including secondary premature ejaculation, and, as you might have guessed, erectile dysfunction. As shown in the study we just linked to, though, reducing stress and anxiety can help improve your erections.

Relieving stress is generally an all-around positive, so it's definitely worth giving it a go.

Reducing stress is easier said than done, and often depends on what is causing the stress. Some strategies are often recommended regardless of the cause though, including exercise, improving your diet, getting enough sleep, and practicing self-care and mindfulness.

5. Reduce your alcohol intake

Alcohol can make it difficult to get an erection in the moment, and alcohol dependency is highly associated with sexual dysfunction - including but not limited to ED. According to that study, the amount of alcohol the men had consumed was directly proportional to their risk of developing a sexual dysfunction.

You don't have to completely cut it out either - just cutting down can be helpful.

Everything we've mentioned here can improve the strength of your erections and make them easier to achieve - both of which should give you much better results if you're using Viagra. However, it's possible that, depending on the severity of your health conditions or addictions, you may need medical assistance.

When to See Your Doctor

If Viagra or similar erectile dysfunction medications aren't working for you, you should always speak to a doctor before you try increasing your dosage. By all means, try some of the methods we've mentioned in this article, but if you're still not seeing results, a visit to the doctor is the best course of action, as they'll be able to help you determine the issue.

You should also go back to a doctor if your dosage is upped and you start to experience any persistent mild side effects, or if you ever experience any serious side effects.

Mild side effects of Viagra can include:

  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Muscle pain
  • Congestion
  • Vision changes
  • Heartburn
  • Rashes


Some more serious side effects can include:

  • Low blood pressure
  • Priapism (an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours and is often painful)
  • Vision or hearing
  • Allergic reactions
  • Heart problems


Mild side effects can clear up after a few days, but serious side effects necessitate seeing a doctor - so don't hesitate if you experience any of them. Another reason you should visit the doctor is if your erectile dysfunction isn't improving, or is getting worse.

If you try Viagra a few times but still struggle to get an erection, there's a chance your erectile dysfunction may be caused by an underlying health condition or by psychological factors - and you'll need help for either, either from a medical professional or a psychologist.

RECOMMENDED READING

Speaking to a doctor about Viagra

In the USA, Viagra isn't available over the counter or online, so if you're using it, you'll have probably already spoken to a doctor. This is good as it means you've had more of a chance to get over the inevitable nerves of bringing your penile issues to a medical professional.

In the USA, Viagra isn't available over the counter or online, so if you're using it, you'll have probably already spoken to a doctor.

However, in some countries, such as the UK, Viagra can be purchased from pharmacies or online, meaning you may not have had to speak to anyone face to face. Speaking to a doctor about issues pertaining to your penis can be nerve-wracking, but it's always worth it to prevent any issues from negatively affecting your life.

Regardless of where you're from, there are a few things you can do to make your trip to the doctor a little less anxiety-inducing:

  1. Keep a journal of your symptoms before going, either on paper or with a notes app on your phone.

  2. Make a note of when they started, what exactly you've been experiencing, and whether you've tried to relieve symptoms already - this will help you prepare what you're going to say.

  3. When actually speaking to a doctor, always be honest and don't hold anything back - that will only make figuring out your problem, and potential treatments, harder for them.

  4. Try to be as clear and specific as possible when discussing your symptoms - there's no need to worry about going overboard, as lots of information can be relevant.

  5. If the doctor says or recommends anything that you aren't sure about or don't understand, let them know your concerns and ask them to clarify or explain their reasoning.


If you're really nervous, it can help if possible to choose a doctor who you feel the most comfortable talking to. Increasing your comfort can help when it comes to talking about sensitive subjects. If you need to, you should be able to take a partner along.

How to Find the Right Performance Enhancement Tool for You

Viagra Doesn't Work: Summary

Usually when Viagra stops working it's because you're trying to have sex too soon or too late after taking it, your dosage or medication isn't right, you aren't aroused enough to get an erection, or you can't get an erection in the first place.

Viagra's potency can also be affected by taking it with alcohol or a heavy meal, or if you have low testosterone.

Anything you can do to improve your erections in general can give you better results from Viagra, including exercise, losing weight, reducing stress, and stopping smoking and drinking.

If you try at home methods and see no improvement, or if your ED isn't improving or gets worse, you should see a doctor. Never up your dosage without visiting a doctor, and if they up your dosage and you start to experience side effects, go back to see them.

Making some notes before your visit can help reduce nerves, and can help you speak clearly when explaining everything to a doctor. Be honest, and don't leave anything out. Though it can be frustrating when Viagra doesn't work, it's almost always possible to get you back on track.

How we work to provide accurate and reliable information on the blog

We put in extensive effort to ensure that each blog post on our site delivers valuable and trustworthy information to our readers. These are our main focus areas:

  • Human writing
  • Exhaustive research and fact-checking
  • Use of Reliable and Reputable Sources
  • Collaboration with Experts
Learn more about our selection process

L·Y·N·K

ON SALE