The inability of men to have and maintain an erection during sexual intercourse is not uncommon. In fact, there is a term for it. It is called erectile dysfunction (ED). A recent study has shown that half of men between the ages 40 and 70 have this condition, and 10% of them are said to have the complete inability to have erections even with adequate sexual stimulation.
Of course, it is essential to have a sufficient erection for a satisfying and enjoyable sex life. Fortunately for men, there are a wide range of ED drugs to help address erectile dysfunction. In choosing the best pill for you, it is important to understand how these work since each have different ways of addressing the condition. Moreover, be aware that cost is also a primary factor for this kind of medicine that needs to be taken consistently.
A lot of drugs are available now to treat ED. With these, you must consult your doctor so that you will be given an appropriate drug and dose fit to your medical status. The following drugs work differently, but generally, they improve sexual activity in men with ED by increasing blood flow to the penis, hence inducing an erection.
What pills are available for me to choose from?
Some of the most prescribed ED drugs are oral medications such as Avanafil (Stendra), Sildenafil (Viagra), Tadalafil (Cialis), and Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn). They may seem like a handful of choices, but all work the same way. They belong to a drug group called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, and these drugs block the phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme which causes erectile dysfunction. These drugs can also enhance the effect of your body’s nitric oxide, which is the natural body chemical that relaxes the muscles of your penis so that you can get an erection once adequate sexual stimulation is present.
Sildenafil (Viagra)
Sildenafil (Viagra) is the most often prescribed ED drug. This PDE5 inhibitor has been in the market for a very long time, and so we now have a lot of data on its side effects and interactions with other medications and food. Hence, this ED drug is very safe to use.
For mild to moderate erectile dysfunction, Sildenafil (Viagra) is very effective if taken on an empty stomach and one hour before sexual intercourse. Once taken, it can help you achieve and maintain and erection for around four to five hours.
Vardenfail (Levitra, Staxyn)
Similar to Sildenafil, Vardenafil is also a PDE5 inhibitor preferrably taken one hour before sex to ensure maximum effectiveness. You can take this drug with or without food. Also, it is shown that eating high-fat meals before taking in the drug will prevent very rapid absorption which prolongs the effect of the drug. In addition, this also works for as much as four to five hours if you have mild to moderate erectile dysfunction.
As opposed to Sildenafil, Staxyn, a form of Vardenafil, can be placed under the tongue so it gets dissolved faster.
Tadalafil (Cialis)
Tadalafil (Cialis) is an FDA-approved PDE5 inhibitor drug for men with ED. A daily dose of 2.5–5 milligrams is taken orally 30 minutes before sex. You can take this with or without food, and it should not be taken more than once per day. The dose is altered depending on the severity of your erectile dysfunction.
This drug is capable of giving you up to 36 hours of effectivity. Apart from managing ED, Tadalafil (Cialis) can also help in men with difficulty in urinating due to an enlarged prostate.
Avanafil (Stendra)
This oral drug is also a choice for men with ED as well. Avanafil (Stendra) is taken with or without food about 30 minutes before sex, and its effect can last for as long as six hours. Like Tadalafil (Cialis), this drug should not be taken more than once a day.
It is important to note that you need a doctor’s prescription for these drugs. Similarly, it is not recommended for you to take these PDE5 inhibitors if you are taking nitrates to address your present heart diseases. Nitrates such as isosorbide dinitrate (Monoket) and nitroglycerin can severely lower your blood pressure if you take it simultaneously with Avanafil (Stendra).
General side effects and contraindications of these pills
All these drugs improve your blood flow to your penis. Once sexually stimulated, these drugs will aid in giving you an erection enough to satisfy your sexual desires. However, as all drugs are, there are side effects that you should be aware of. For most of these, the side effects are not very serious. This includes flushing, headaches, indigestion, visual changes, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and back pain. Series side effects are reported but rarely occur.
As mentioned previously, if you are taking nitrates, you should be cautious in taking these PDE5 inhibitors due to dangers of having very low blood pressure. Be cautious as well when taking PDE5 inhibitors with alpha-blockers. These are usually given to men with prostate problems or blood pressure concerns.
How can I tell if these pills are safe for me?
It can be overwhelming to see a lot of ED drugs in the market. But with adequate medical consultations, you will definitely find the right and safe ED drug for you. Medical consultation is essential to ensure safety in taking these drugs, as your doctor will tell you what you need based on your ED and other existing conditions. Your doctor will also give you the correct prescription and dosage for you to follow religiously.
Once you have your prescription, make sure to buy from legitimate pharmacies. If you are buying online, always verify the store from which are you buying, since there may be counterfeit versions of these drugs which are dangerous.
Lastly, make sure to avoid “herbal Viagra.” These are herbal medications that claim to be effective for managing ED but it is not prescribed to take these, and it may even have harmful substances. Do not be fooled into buying them and always stick to your doctor’s prescription.
With all the drugs available today to treat ED, it is without a doubt that along with the help of your doctor, you will find the right drug to help you sustain your erections and enjoy your sex life. Click here to schedule a quick & free virtual ED consultation!