Q. I’ve been taking Viagra for the last few months. How long will it take before I can once again get an erection without using the pill?
A. Viagra is not a cure for erectile dysfunction, and you could take it for years without reducing your need for the drug. However, if your ED symptoms are relatively mild and you are taking steps to make your lifestyle healthier, you may indeed reach a point where you will no longer need the helping hand that the medication offers.
To achieve that goal, you should eat a healthy diet, incorporate physical activity — even brisk walking — into your daily routine, quit smoking, and drink alcohol in moderation.
If you’re suffering from one of the underlying medical conditions, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, or high blood pressure, that can lead to ED, you need to work with your doctor to manage that condition and thus reduce your risk of impotence. It could already be too late to reverse your ED symptoms altogether. But taking these commonsense steps to live a healthier life can help to ensure that you’re around longer to enjoy sex and everything else that life has to offer.