Viagra (sildenafil) is liberating for men who struggle with getting an erection and keeping it up in the bedroom. The diamond-cut blue pills help treat erectile dysfunction (ED) by increasing blood flow to the penis, but taking more pills than directed could lead to a permanent painful erection, and other potential health risks that could damage the penis.

The oral medication is popularly known for treating impotence in older men, but most Viagra users today are in their early to mid 50s, according to Pfizer. Men are likely to use the blue pills because sexual performance is a high priority for them, which can consequently lead them to abuse and overdoses. Less (blue pills) is more when it comes to healthy sexual function.

Viagra affects the penis and other parts of the body. Too much can cause a priapism, an uncomfortable and disproportionately large erection that lasts for more than four hours. A prolonged erection can lead to permanent damage to the penile tissues.

The blue pill works by inhibiting an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5), making muscles in the penis more likely to relax, and allow blood to flow in, causing an erection. However, an excess of this will have most of the blood rushing toward the penis, which causes it to engorge and swell up. Surgery could even be required to reduce the blood that's led to swelling in the penis.

Inevitably, since Viagra is a drug that enhances nitric oxide, which is a vasodilator — it can lower blood pressure — too much can lead to an increased risk in cardiovascular difficulties from blood pressure fluctuations to heartbeat irregularities. Other common symptoms include blurry vision, sudden decrease in hearing or loss of hearing, accompanied by dizziness and ringing in the ears, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Viagra has gained so much popularity among men suffering from ED, and also those who do not need the drug at all. The incidence of Viagra overdose is more common in people taking higher doses of the drug. Remember, like other erectile dysfunction drugs, Viagra can stay in the blood for up to 24 hours.

Therefore, doctors recommend taking just one pill of Viagra per day.