Reviewed by:  Daniel Williams, MD

Since it was released in 1998, Pfizer’s miracle drug, Viagra, has been changing the lives of those afflicted with the ailments of impotency and Erectile Dysfunction. Viagra has become so popular, and widely used, that it is practically synonymous with Erectile Dysfunction. Regardless, many people still have absolutely no idea as to how this wonder drug works in the human body.

To best understand how Viagra works, you must first take a brief look at the anatomy of the male penis. The penis essentially serves two primary functions for men: urination and ejaculation. Like the two functions that it serves, the penis also has two primary states: erect and flaccid (limp). Inside of the shaft of the penis there are two tubes, one on each side, called the Corpora Cavernosa. These tubes really serve one purpose, and that is to allow the penis to become erect during periods of sexual arousal, and likewise, let it become limp again once ejaculation has occurred, or sexual arousal has diminished.

Steps to an erection:

Male becomes sexually aroused though either physical or mental stimulation, or both
Arteries that lead into the penis’ Corpora Cavernosa open, allowing blood to quickly fill them up
Blood remains in the Corpora Cavernosa as the veins are constricting, causing the penis to become hard and erect
When the sexual simulation is diminished, or upon ejaculation, the arteries open back up again, allowing the blood to leave them and the penis to deflate

Men who suffer from impotency or Erectile Dysfunction many times are simply experiencing a deficiency in an important enzyme which allows the brain to control the blood flow to the penis. This enzyme is called phosphodiesterase, or PDE. When sexual arousal is experienced in the brain’s sex center, the brain communicates with the Corpora Cavernosa and tells it to start producing more Nitric Oxide. This causes the arteries to open up and increases the blood flow to the Corpora Cavernosa, filling them up and causing the penis to become erect. The human body has 11 types of PDE’s, but only one of those PDE’s is actually found in the penis, making the science behind Viagra rather easy to understand

How Viagra works:

• Dosage is orally ingested
• Sildenafil Citrate (Viagra) is rapidly introduced to the bloodstream
• Sildenafil Citrate finds and disables PDE5 (PDE enzyme in the penis)
• Sexual arousal causes the brain to send the signals to the penis, which in turn begins to produce Nitric Oxide
• The arteries in the penis begin to open up from their constriction
• The lack of the PDE5 causes the arteries to be able to fully open
• Blood flow is increased into the penis, which in turn becomes erect

Viagra’s Side Effects

There are a few minimal side effects that have been found with usage of Viagra. The most common side effects were:

• Upset stomach
• Facial flushing
• Headache 

How To Buy Viagra

As the years have passed since the drugs’ first introduction into mainstream society, acquiring it has become easier than ever. Since many men who suffer from the symptoms of ED are too embarrassed to make a trip into the doctor to seek treatment, they are turning to online pharmacies and physicians to get the Viagra they need to treat their ED.

It is always important to only buy prescription drugs from online pharmacies. You want to make sure that the online pharmacy you are dealing with is providing real FDA approved medications, and that they actually have real doctors who write authentic and legal prescriptions. The last thing any consumer wants to experience is getting ripped off by online scam artists, who are trying to sell them fake Viagra for a quick buck. Thankfully there are real online pharmacies that do offer the real Viagra, but you have to know where to look to find them. While the internet is populated with illegitimate online pharmacies looking to dispense counterfeit versions of Viagra for some quick, ill gotten profits, there are several online pharmacies that are very reputable and very safe.

AccessRX.com is one of the leading pharmacies where consumers can safely buy Viagra online. Licensed U.S. physicians will write an authentic prescription for patients after reviewing their medical history. Licensed U.S. pharmacists will dispense the drug, and even overnight it via Federal Express to the patient. They also offer online chat, where patients can ask and have answered any questions which they may have regarding the treatment of ED with the drug, Viagra. When shopping for Viagra online you want to make sure of three things:

• That you are buying from a legal online pharmacy
• Your privacy and safety are of the utmost concern
• Convenience, reliability and pricing

AccessRX.com offers all three of these amenities and an array of others. This is probably what has kept them in the spotlight and at the head of the pack for the better part of the past decade.