How Long Do Viagra Headaches Last?

Highlights

• Headaches are one of the most common side effects of ED medication.

• How long do Viagra headaches last? From 30 minutes to a few hours on average. 

•  If you’re experiencing regular migraines or cluster headaches after taking Viagra or sildenafil (the generic version), talk to your doctor.

• For some men switching to different ED medication or reducing the dose is enough to eliminate the headaches.

---

Headaches are one of the most common side effects of using sildenafil (Viagra), with up to 25% of users reporting the symptom. If you’re thinking of trying ED medication, you may be wondering how long Viagra headaches last and if you can still enjoy intimacy despite the side effects.

It’s theorized that sildenafil’s impact on some enzymes can trigger migraine or cluster headaches. Patients should also be aware of drug interactions and other medication options.

How Long Do Viagra Headaches Last?

In most cases, you can expect a Viagra headache to ease after several hours. That said, there have been case studies that have found that men prone to migraines or cluster headaches may have more of a problem.

One case study in particular highlights the need for a careful strategy. The patient began experiencing cluster headaches after taking sildenafil. The duration of his headache was from 30 to 60 minutes and the pain was very strong.

Ultimately, the patient solved his problem with a small dose of naproxen (Aleve), which is available over the counter. In addition, he switched to a different ED medication and his doctor lowered his treatment dose.

 

Why Does Viagra Cause Headaches?

Sildenafil, vardenafil (Levitra), and tadalafil (Cialis) all work as phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors. This means they block certain enzymes in your body, leading to the improvement of blood flow to the penis.

Different types of PDE inhibitors affect different enzymes. If you’ve had a cup of coffee on an empty stomach and gotten a headache, you’ve experienced this effect, since caffeine is a weak PDE inhibitor.

Scientists are not sure why sildenafil leads to migraines or headaches in some men, but they suspect that phosphodiesterase may have something to do with it. Although sildenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor, the drug has a mild blocking effect on other enzymes as well, including those affecting blood vessels in the brain.

Other Possible Causes of Headaches

While headaches are a common inconvenience for men who use erectile dysfunction medication, don’t jump to conclusions too quickly. There are other factors that can cause migraines and tension headaches that may happen around the time of taking ED medication.

They can include:

• Drinking alcohol
• Smoking
• Taking antihistamine (allergy) medication
• High blood pressure

What’s more, headaches can happen in connection with the sexual act or orgasm. Yes, sex-related headaches happen for real, not just in jokes! Approximately one percent of people experience headaches associated with sexual activity. The problem is more common among men.

What Are Viagra’s Other Side Effects?

Viagra is a vasodilator, which means it opens up the blood vessels. Since it’s taken orally, that means it does this all over the body. This process can cause several common side effects, which can include:

• Aches or pains in the muscles
• Bloody nose
• Diarrhea
• Difficult or labored breathing
• Flushing
• Pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
• Redness of the skin
• Sneezing
• Nausea
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Insomnia
• Feeling flushed or warm

Who Should Not Take Viagra?

Viagra isn’t recommended for people who have heart conditions or are on medication to lower their blood pressure. This is due to the vasodilator effect, which can drop blood pressure to dangerous levels and put strain on the heart.

Beyond that, anybody considering ED medication should talk with their doctor about dosage, health risks, adverse effects, and possible allergies. You should also discuss any pre-existing conditions or other possible concerns you might have, including migraine.

The general opinion for most men is that the side effects of Viagra are minor inconveniences that are outweighed by the benefits. Yet, everyone is different, and bodies change over time. If you’re experiencing side effects, or start experiencing them, consider the following health precautions.

• Discuss medication changes and dosage changes with your doctor.
• Ask your physician if it’s safe to take over-the-counter pain relief for your sildenafil-related headaches. Medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and naproxen (Aleve) usually help.
• Make sure that the symptom is related to the medication; one headache or stuffy nose isn’t necessarily caused by the medication, so look for a pattern.
• If you’re diagnosed with a chronic condition like migraine, check with a medical professional about next steps with all your medications, including men’s health treatments.

Making the Most of Intimacy When You Have ED

While a single headache is not yet cause for concern, if the story repeats itself, you should check it with your physician. In the meantime, don’t give up on sex just because you can’t take ED meds for a while. Here’s how to nurture intimacy with your partner even without reliable erections.

• Go beyond the obvious. Your whole body is an erogenous zone. Explore sensual pleasures by giving your lover a sensual massage or asking for one. Use your tongue and mouth to tickle and tease, or try spanking or light bondage for more intense sensations.
• Make the toys work for you. Sex toys bring novelty to your bedroom routines. If your partner is a woman, use a finger vibrator or clitoral suction toys to help her climax without penetration. If you have mild ED, penis rings can help you maintain an erection long enough to complete intercourse. If you’re feeling adventurous, reach for prostate massagers and experience mind-blowing orgasms without intercourse!
• Dive into the world of fantasy. There’s more to sex than intercourse. You can have a great time watching erotic films, listening to audio stories for adults, or sharing your own wildest fantasies. Who knows? Maybe you’ll turn them into reality one day!

How eDrugstore Can Help

You don’t have to live with ED. Learn how you can advocate for your own sexual health by following our blog, or check out our erectile dysfunction page to learn more about Viagra and the other ED meds we carry. With eDrugstore, telehealth visits and shipping are always free.