Erectile Dysfunction Medications: What Options Do You Have?
Some men have problems in the bedroom. Young or old, it happens to many. Unfortunately, many men with erectile dysfunction feel shame and dare not speak its name, let alone consider erectile dysfunction medications. They don’t talk to their partners, friends, or doctor about this common medical condition. Most want to know what their options are but are afraid to ask.
There’s no shame in having erectile dysfunction, and it’s more common than you think. There are several different erectile dysfunction treatments and ED medication types. With their help, most men experience firm, uplifting, positive results. So let’s open the conversation about erectile dysfunction and end the embarrassment. There’s no reason why men with ED can’t continue to have an active and fulfilling sex life.
What Is the Most Successful Medical Treatment for ED?
There are several different treatment options for men with erectile dysfunction. However, what works for one guy may not be effective for another. There’s no one-size-fits-all ED treatment, although some medicines to treat ED have had high rates of success among the men who use them. The most successful treatment for ED will be the one that works for you.
Tadalafil, better known as Cialis, has proved to be the golden pill for most men with issues gaining or sustaining an erection. A recent study published by the National Library of Medicine reports that tadalafil is an effective medication for erectile dysfunction. In addition, some men report its effects lasting up to 36 hours, making it a popular choice due to its long-lasting nature.
Although Cialis has worked wonders for most guys, it may not work for everyone. But fear not; there are plenty of erectile dysfunction medications to try. Let’s talk a look at some of them.
What Are the Top ED Medications That Work?
Guys with issues in the bedroom don’t want to waste time on phony snake oil-type meds. They want medications that treat Ed that work. This condition can cause a boatload of stress and can make guys shy and want to avoid intimate encounters.
If you’re experiencing intimacy problems, you want to use ED medications that work and work every time to help you achieve an erection and last longer in bed. Although not all ED treatments work for every guy, most are well-tolerated and have high success rates.
The medicines to treat ED all work slightly differently but have the same result. Here we’ll discuss the most commonly used oral medications for erectile dysfunction and what you should know about them.
1. Sildenafil
One of the first erectile dysfunction medications to produce on-demand erections was sildenafil. This little blue pill is better known by its brand name Viagra. You’ll need to speak to your doctor about Viagra, as it’s not an over-the-counter erectile dysfunction medication, so you’ll need a prescription. Sildenafil is a PDE-5 inhibitor and helps promote a widening of the blood vessels in the penis. In lay terms, Viagra helps men achieve an erection.
How Long Does Sildenafil Last?
This little blue pill is effective in approximately two-thirds of men with erectile dysfunction. Men can see results typically within 30 to 60 minutes, but it can be taken up to 4 hours before sex. For this ED medication to work, sexual stimulation is required, so there’s no fear of an unwanted erection at an inappropriate time or place.
Sildenafil Precautions
As is the case with most medications, Viagra does have some downsides. It’s been known to cause a few minor side effects, most of which are temporary. The most common ones are:
- Headache
- Back pain
- Issues with vision
- Low blood pressure
- A painful erection lasting over 4 hours
How to Take Sildenafil
Viagra shouldn’t be taken more than once daily. Its effectiveness could be decreased if taken after a large meal or after consuming a large amount of alcohol. In addition, men who take certain medications (nitrates) for chest pain or heart ailments shouldn’t take Viagra.
2. Vardenafil
Vardenafil is another popular medication used to treat erectile dysfunction. Sold under the names Levitra and Staxyn, you’ll need to obtain a prescription from your doctor to purchase. Like sildenafil, vardenafil is a PDE inhibitor that increases the blood flow to the penis and allows penile blood vessels to expand. Research suggests that approximately 80% of men who use this ED medication can obtain and maintain an erection suitable for intercourse.
How Long Does Vardenafil Last?
Vardenafil’s effects can last up to five hours.
Vardenafil Precautions
Some men have experienced the following side effects when taking vardenafil:
- Flushing of the face
- Headache
- Heartburn
- Upset stomach
- Changes in vision
Vardenafil doesn’t react well with certain medications. Speak to your doctor before taking Levitra or Staxyn, and let them know of any prescription or non-prescription medications you are currently taking. Ones to particularly note include:
- St. John’s Wart
- Dialtrate-SR
- Monoket
- Adempas
- Minitran
How to Take Vardenafil
Levitra and Staxyn should be taken with or without food between 25 and 60 minutes before sexual activity. You can use up to one tablet every 24 hours.
It should be noted that eating a meal high in fat before taking this ED medication could slow its effects. This erectile dysfunction medication comes in two different forms; a tablet that is swallowed with water or a disintegrating tablet that melts in the mouth. The melt-in-your-mouth variety may work faster than the pill you need to swallow.
3. Tadalafil
A favorite amongst men with erectile dysfunction is tadalafil, sold under the brand name of Cialis. Like other erectile dysfunction medications, tadalafil increases blood flow to the penis while assisting the penile blood vessels to expand to achieve and maintain an erection strong enough for sexual activity. Men who have a very active sex life can take Cialis daily without the fear of unwanted, embarrassing erections at the wrong time. It only works with sexual stimulation.
How Long Does Tadalafil Last?
One of the reasons Cialis is so popular with men is not only its long-lasting effect (in some cases, up to 36 hours), but for some, it produces more intense orgasms. This is the icing on top of the cake.
Tadalafil Precautions
Some men report the following side effects, most of which are temporary and tolerable:
- Vision problems
- Flushed face
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Muscle pain
- Upset stomach or indigestion
Consult with your doctor before taking tadalafil. Certain medications can interact with their effectiveness or could cause medication interaction issues. Some that should be noted are:
- Nitrates
- Alpha-blockers
- Medications for high blood pressure
- Some anti-viral and anti-fungal medications
How to Take Tadalafil
Depending on the dose or how your doctor prescribes it, you can take tadalafil once a day or when needed. It starts showing effects in 30 minutes to 2 hours. You can take it with little food or without food. However, eating meals high in fat can lower their effectiveness.
4. Avanafil
This PDE inhibitor works like the others by increasing blood flow to the penis, helping penile blood vessels expand. It’s sold under the brand name Stendra.
How Long Does Avanafil Last?
Avanafil can last up to six hours.
Avanafil Precautions
Avanafil can cause some minor physical issues, but most are well tolerated. Typical side effects include:
- Back pain
- Flushing
- Headache
Although rare, some users of Stendra have experienced the following:
- Ringing ears
- Sudden hearing loss
- Swollen eyelids
- Dizziness
Before taking avanafil, tell your doctor if you’re taking any other medications to avoid drug interaction issues. A few of the many medications that can cause issues when taken with avanafil are:
- Nitrates such as Dilatrate-SR and Isordil
- Nitroglycerin medications like Minitran, Nitro-Dur, and Nitromist
- Alpha-blockers like Alfuzosin
How to Take Avanafil
It can be taken with or without food, and depending on the dosage, it should be taken anywhere between 15 to 30 minutes before sexual activity. Research shows it’s a highly effective medication for young and older men with erectile dysfunction.
How Well Does ED Medication Work?
Fortunately, most men respond well to any ED medications discussed in this article. With success rates hovering around 60 to 80%, talking to your primary care physician about which is best for you can get you back in the sack much quicker than you’d think. These medications generally begin working anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour.
What Is the Fastest Way to Treat ED?
Most erectile dysfunction treatments work quickly, usually within one hour of dosing.
For example, a study published in the Journal of Urology states that Avanafil, the ED medication sold under the brand name Stendra, helps men to achieve a suitable erection in about 15 minutes. This makes it the fastest active erectile dysfunction medication available.
How Can You Treat ED Other Than with Drugs?
Popular PDE inhibitor medications are how most men combat their battles with erectile dysfunction. These pills are easy to take, cause few side effects, and produce the best results. However, not all men respond positively to these magic pills. There are other ways to treat erectile dysfunction, including a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and natural supplements. Let’s get into the details!
Mechanical Aids
Using vacuum pumps and penile constriction rings is an alternative to medication for men who don’t respond to traditional PDE inhibitors. They work by placing a cylinder over the penis while pumping the air out. This action will cause the penis to become erect. The erection is maintained by placing a constriction ring around the base of the penis or the penis and the testicles. A more common name for this is a “cock ring.”
Although somewhat effective at producing and maintaining an erection, some men find the constriction rings cumbersome and uncomfortable. Another downside is the requirement of a vacuum pump, which can be embarrassing for some to use and can halt the spontaneity of sexual activity.
Penile Injection Therapy
Penile injection therapy has shown to be effective for men who don’t respond to more traditional and less invasive methods of achieving and maintaining an erection. In addition, injection therapy has proved effective for men whose ED issues stem from nerve and psychological disorders.
As suggested by its name, this type of ED treatment involves injecting medication into the side of the penis using a small needle. Improper dosing can cause painful erections that last over 4 hours. The most common side effect is slight scarring of the penis.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Some men experience erectile dysfunction due to low testosterone levels, although not all men with low T levels deal with ED. For this reason, it is best to use an at-home test kit to check your testosterone and other biomarkers. A telemed consult with a men’s health professional will allow you to better understand the test’s results and make the right decisions for you.
For some men experiencing physical erectile dysfunction, hormone replacement therapy might be the key to long-lasting naturally-occurring erections. This type of ED treatment involves creams, gels, patches, or testosterone injections. Your doctor will recommend the best course of action for your needs.
Penile Implants
The most invasive method of erectile dysfunction treatment is penile implants. Penile prosthesis surgery is usually the last resort for men with ED. Performed as outpatient surgery, once completed, it enables men to have an erection whenever they wish. Orgasm, ejaculation, and penile sensation are all preserved, so there’s no fear of losing the pleasure of the sexual activity.
The procedure involves surgically placing a pair of inflation tubes into the penis. Then, utilizing an inflation pump inserted in the testicles and a fluid reservoir located in the lower abdomen, an erection can be created easily by a few quick pumps around the reservoir.
Fortunately, most men who’ve had this procedure report overall satisfaction with the implants and have few to no issues with them. For men who have tried all the other methods to achieve and maintain erections, penile implants may be required.
Don’t Let Erectile Dysfunction Steal Your Sex Life
An early sign of erectile dysfunction doesn’t mean your sex life is over. On the contrary, there is hope for young and older men experiencing trouble in the bedroom. Modern medicine has been quite effective at helping guys who aren’t as hard or firm as they once were, and there’s no shame in popping a pill to give you that little extra shove to allow you to maintain a healthy and pleasurable sex life.
Hoping this erectile dysfunction medications list was helpful, we will leave you with a vital piece of advice: for any health problem you experience (erectile dysfunction included), get a medical checkup. While trying to get erectile dysfunction medications over the counter or ED pills online might seem like a good idea, offering the anonymity and discretion you seek is not the way to approach the issue.
Talk to your family physician or book an appointment with a men’s health specialized provider. Your journey back to health and a fulfilling sex life starts by being open about your problems and letting experts do their jobs.