I think quite a few people use viagra and the likes for recreation, and for different reasons.
you have 2 main types of pill (quick onset lasts around 4 hrs) viagra type (there are a few derivatives that are similar with potentially different side effects)
then there is cialis / tadalafil type pill that has a slower onset but lasts 36ish hours.
two If the many ways they can be used recreationally are:
Out on a night out, had a few, GF or whoever wants to be satisfied, pop a pill and you can be ready, without worry you aren't going to be able to 'perform'. ( nothing worse than trying to thumb in a softy!)
Another way they can help, is that they can allow repeats sessions. Once you have initially 'popped', you can wait a little while and go again. Depending on how you are, sometimes you can pop, slow down a bit and keep on going......
I am sure there are other but they are two I can think of.....
Yes there can be the side effect of ongoing erections, affects different people in different ways. I would recommend to start on the lower dosage (50mg viagra or 10 cialis, or even 25 and 5). Keep the dosage low until you find out what (if any) side effects you have, and what effect the pills have on you.
If you are really worried, buy some sudafed (pseudoephedrine) even if its combined with paracetamol in a cold remedy, this can help to deal with any prolonged election problems, just don't use it to deal with the side effect of a stuffy nose as it can cancel out some of the benefit of taking viagra