How to Reduce Nasal Congestion When Taking Viagra

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Viagra is one of the safest drugs. However, it does cause some mild adverse effects, or better to say, some nuisances. These minor annoyances are quite common with it, and most of the Viagra users would experience them earlier or later.

One of the most common complaints from Viagra users is nasal congestion (1). Though it lasts only for a few hours, it can act as a mood spoiler. And being in the right mood is very important when planning to have a romantic date or sex.

Why Does Viagra Cause Nasal Congestion?

Nasal congestion is frequent and is one of the unwanted effects of Viagra; it is not an unexpected reaction to it.

Viagra works by dilating the blood vessels in the penis, increasing blood flow, and thus giving a hard erection. However, it is not 100% selective and also influences other blood vessels. It may also dilate the blood vessels of other parts of the body, too (2).

It is due to this unwanted dilation of blood vessels in other parts of the body it causes facial redness, headaches, and dyspepsia. Due to this property, it is better to avoid using sildenafil with certain medicines used to treat heart conditions and blood pressure, as it may cause an unexpected drop in blood pressure due to vascular dilation (3).

Some Individuals Have More Severe Nasal Congestion

Most individuals would have no or mild nasal congestion that would not require any attention. Moreover, in most people, this nasal congestion would be very short-lived to cause much discomfort.

However, some individuals are more susceptible to nasal congestion. Usually, these are people prone to allergies, and respiratory infections. The presence of vasomotor rhinitis considerably increases the risk of severe nasal congestion (4).

People with allergies or vasomotor rhinitis have very sensitive nasal blood vessels. Additionally, due to chronic nasal issues, blood vessels inside their nose are hypertrophied. Thus, when they take Viagra, nasal blood vessels react promptly, causing nasal congestion.

How to Reduce Nasal Congestion With Viagra?

Fortunately, one can control or prevent nasal congestion in most cases. One can achieve this in multiple ways;

  • Manage respiratory allergies – as this would considerably reduce the risk of nasal congestion. On the contrary, chances of nasal congestion with Viagra are much higher when someone is already living with uncontrolled allergies. It is better to manage allergies with the help of a medical specialist with the use of antihistamines. Antihistamine drugs may help reduce the sensitivity of nasal blood vessels (5).
  • Nasal spray can help in all cases. The good thing about nasal sprays is that they work immediately. They have an action opposite to that of Viagra on nasal blood vessels, thus causing their immediate constriction and providing relief in seconds. Since most people are using Viagra only a few times a week, nasal sprays are safe for such use (6).
  • Consider a lower dose of Viagra. It is not rare for some people to be over-enthusiastic and take higher than the necessary dosages of Viagra. Higher dose, in many cases, do no good, and only increases the risk of side effects. It means that reducing the dosage could be an option for many. Most people can tolerate 50 mg of Viagra well and get the expected results. Nasal congestion is more likely to happen with 100 mg.
  • Medications for nasal congestion. Many readily available over-the-counter medications can help. Some medicines used to treat throat disorders, mainly those containing menthol, may provide relief in many cases. One may also consider Vicks or other non-pharmacological sprays that can help keep the nasal cavity moist.
  • Take a warm shower. Taking a warm shower before sex or even with a partner can have more than one benefit. It can act both as foreplay, and at the same time, warm steam may provide instant relief and help breathe freely.
  • Keep yourself hydrated. Adequate fluid intake helps avoid severe nose blockades. It helps keep mucus thin and prevents it from getting dry. A small measure that is good for health and works well. Experience shows that some men may benefit more from a cup of warm tea; some herbal teas may be good at it.
  • Consider using a humidifier. Experts recommend humidifiers for those who have frequent respiratory issues (7). The humidifier helps keep the air moist. It is not only useful for preventing nasal congestion but may also make the atmosphere more comfortable for experiencing sexual pleasures.

Consider Viagra Alternatives

Viagra is not the only option available these days; one can consider its alternatives (such as BlueChew) that are equally good for erectile dysfunction or even more potent like Cialis, Levitra, and Avanafil. These Viagra alternatives are less probable to cause nasal congestion, as they are more selective PDE5 inhibitors and have little influence on nasal blood vessels.

It is also worth knowing that people having a sedentary lifestyle, physically weaker individuals, may find it more difficult to tolerate the side effects of Viagra. It means that changing the lifestyle, diet, and engaging in exercise may help considerably.

Conclusion

To conclude, nasal congestion might cause distress, but it is not a reason to worry or discontinue the use of Viagra. Moreover, such events are less likely to happen with more frequent use of Viagra. Nasal congestion, when taking Viagra, is well managed by taking various simple measures. Above all, it does not last long with Viagra, and in most cases, it is gone in a few hours, even without taking any medication.