Ask the Resident (Sex) Advisor

The Resident Sex Advisor answers sex-related questions from college students

Dear RSA,
I get nervous before sex and sometimes I have trouble getting or maintaining my erection. Would Viagra help with my performance anxiety?
Todd, NYU

Todd,
Performance anxiety is an all-too-common, though little discussed, form of erectile dysfunction. Nerves can easily get in the way of a good, strong erection, making sex less pleasurable or completely impossible.

Viagra very well may help with this problem. Though it doesn't increase sexual desire, it should let help you get hard and stay hard even if you are a little bit nervous. In fact, a very small dose, 25mg or even less, should do the trick if you are otherwise healthy. Cut a 100mg pill into quarters or even eighths and see how it goes. After a few confidence-building rounds taking the drug, you'll probably be able to wean yourself off of it rather quickly.

Of course, Viagra is a prescription medication with potential side effects and complications. You can order Viagra online, after filing out a detailed health questionnaire, but you should discuss taking the drug with your doctor, especially if you have any health concerns or are taking any other medications. You also shouldn't mix Viagra with alcohol or other drugs like ecstasy.