Most men experience problems with erections at one point or another, but they don’t like to discuss the issue or the potential medicine for erectile dysfunction. The quality of performance between the sheets is every man’s pride and joy. Your confidence has a lot to do with sexual prowess. When problems occur, it’s easy to think others don’t have to deal with it or that your sex life is over. No, you’re not alone! Millions of men have the same issue. Yes, you can overcome erectile difficulties and take your sexual prowess to a whole new level. This post focuses on different approaches for better erections. Understanding medicine for erectile dysfunction treatment helps men compare prescription options, side effects, and the situations where a more complete medical workup is needed.
Medication for erectile dysfunction treatment
Science, technology, and medicine constantly evolve and new discoveries emerge all the time. As a result, men have more options to treat erectile problems. The most common approach toward stronger erections is an intake of medications. Some drugs for erections are well-known, while others are not.
How erection occurs?
Before we discuss drugs that will help you get a boner, it’s important to explain how erections happen in the first place. Contrary to the popular belief, erection is a complicated process that requires proper hormone balance, blood flow, and other factors. The penis has three long masses of cylindrical tissue that are bonded by fibrous tissue. When your penis is in a flaccid state, the spaces between all three masses (corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum) are collapsed and tissue is condensed. In order for an erection to happen, you get aroused and blood starts flowing to these spaces.
The release of nitric oxide dilates blood vessels, thus allowing more blood to reach genital area thanks to a stimulation of an enzyme called guanylate cyclase. The enzyme converts a chemical GTP to cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) which allows smooth muscles in your penis to relax [1] in order to increase blood flow to the penile area. This leads to penile engorgement and boner.
However, in some cases, an enzyme called phosphodiesterase (PDE) breaks down cGMP and transforms it back to GTP. When this happens, your penis can’t get erected. Drugs for erections work by inhibiting PDE type 5 (PDE5) to navigate around this problem and help you get a hard-on.
Now that you know how erectile process occurs and mechanism of action these pills use to help you revolutionize sex life, let’s take a look at different pills for erections available today.
Viagra
Viagra or “little blue pill” is, by far, the most popular drug for erections. It’s so popular that people refer to any kind of erection pill as Viagra, but it is just a brand name for a medication sildenafil citrate which is used to improve strength and power of your penis. Viagra is specifically developed to help men who are unable to achieve an erection or maintain it long enough for pleasurable intercourse.
A common misconception about Viagra is that a man becomes turned on after taking the pill. It doesn’t work like that! The little blue pill supports erectile response when a man is already sexually stimulated. In other words, it doesn’t provide sexual stimulation, just strong erection. It is recommended to take Viagra about 4 hours before the intercourse and it starts working about 30-60 minutes.
According to one survey, about 94% of responders found sildenafil citrate pills effective [2]. Despite the fact that Viagra is considered the most effective pill for erection, it also has the highest rate of adverse reactions [3]. Potential side effects of Viagra include:
- A headache
- Indigestion
- Nasal congestion
- Sensitivity to light
- Impaired vision
- Flushing (warmth, redness)
- Dizziness
- Sleep problems
- Muscle pain
Viagra is sold with a prescription. Make sure you inform the doctor about health problems you may have to see whether Viagra could be safe for you.
Cialis
Cialis is a brand name for a medication called tadalafil. The drug works by relaxing muscles of the blood vessels and increasing blood flow to your penile area. Not only is Cialis used to support strong erections, but it also addresses symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy i.e. enlarged prostate. Similarly to Viagra, Cialis also doesn’t lead to sexual arousal, but it helps achieve an erection in men who are already turned on. The pill, like other erectile medications, inhibits PDE5 to make sure it doesn’t destroy cGMP.
Unlike Viagra which is taken prior to intercourse, Cialis is taken on a daily basis. That being said, you should never take more than one pill in 24 hours. Evidence shows that tadalafil is a safe, well-tolerated, and effective treatment for erectile struggles even in men with serious, difficult to treat, the problem to achieve erection [4]. Potential side effects of Cialis include:
- Numbness, tingling or pain in neck, jaw, and chest
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vision changes
- Ringing in your ears
Levitra
Levitra is one of the most popular medications for erectile difficulties. It is a brand name for a medication called vardenafil which relaxes muscles in the walls of blood vessels to enable blood flow to reach tissues in your penis and form an erection. Just like Viagra, Levitra is also taken before sexual intercourse. You need to take it 25 to 60 minutes before you have sex. But unlike little blue pill which lasts between 2 and 4 hours, Levitra lasts 4 hours.
Levitra, similarly to other PDE5 inhibitors, doesn’t allow this enzyme to weaken your ability to achieve an erection. Studies show that not only Levitra enhances the quality of erections, but also increases partner’s satisfaction with the intercourse [5]. Potential side effects include:
- Flushing
- Dizziness
- Upset stomach
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Vision changes
- Ringing in the ears
- Shortness of breath
Other medications used in erectile dysfunction treatment
- Adcirca (tadalafil) – supports erections, but also used for management of pulmonary hypertension
- Staxyn (vardenafil) – unlike Levitra it dissolves on the tongue so you can take it without water
- Alprostadil – an injection that is injected directly into the penis, but it can also be used in the suppository form
- Stendra (avanafil) – usually taken 30 minutes before intercourse
Homeopathic medicine for erectile dysfunction
Homeopathy is a type of alternative medicine that focuses on a natural approach toward good health and wellbeing. Homeopathic medicine regards symptoms of illnesses as normal responses of the body as it tries to regain its health. Homeopathic practitioners believe that the body can nurture itself back to health and they used natural methods to make it happen. Homeopathy doesn’t focus on pills and other conventional methods but on nature itself. People who practice homeopathy only use a small amount of natural substances only to stimulate the body’s natural process. Men should remember that natural or homeopathic marketing claims do not replace evidence-based evaluation for vascular, hormonal, or medication-related causes of ED.
History of homeopathic medicine
Although homeopathy has become popular lately, it is not a modern-day invention. Homeopathic practices have been around for centuries. What’s more, homeopathy is the longest established complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) to have risen in Europe.
This practice was founded by Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), a German physician, who believed that if a patient had an illness it could be cured by giving a medicine which would produce mild symptoms of that same disease in a healthy person. Hahnemann was the first person to coin the term homeopathy from Greek words homoios meaning similar and pathos translating to suffering.
It didn’t take long for homeopathy to become popular thanks to its attractively safe system, simplicity, and the fact it is centered on the patient as a whole instead of pathological lesions. At the end of the 19th century the American Institute of Homeopathy was founded and in 1903 the American Medical Association invited homeopaths to join the association. In 1939, the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act allowed homeopathic medicines to be sold on the market openly [6].
Throughout its history, homeopathy has been a controversial subject. Even today there are still many debates about safety and efficacy of homeopathy. Science is gradually catching up as more evidence confirms that homeopathic approach can be of huge benefit for management of a number of health problems. Homeopathic medicine fits perfectly into a holistic lifestyle and is ideal for men who want to improve their erections (or tackle some other health issue) in a natural manner. Today, homeopathy has evolved and it is primarily used to refer to any natural treatment option. Below, you can see different approaches for stronger erections.
Agnus castus (chaste berry)
Although homeopathic medicine revolves around the use of various herbs for strong erections, agnus castus is considered the most potent one. Agnus castus or chaste berry is native to Mediterranean region, but it can be also found in the mild southwest of England, the shore of Long Island and Nantucket on the East Coast of North America. The plant is used in cases when a man is unable to attain penile erection during the intercourse or he doesn’t have an urge to have sex.
Caladium
Caladium, or an elephant ear, is native to South and Central America, but it is also naturalized in India, some parts of Africa, tropical islands, and other regions. The plant supports strong, powerful erections and minimizes the risk of ejaculating too early. It is considered most beneficial for men who are unable to have erection despite having sexual desire and strong urge to have sex. Caladium is suitable for men whose erectile difficulties are caused by depression. This is particularly beneficial if we bear in mind that anxiety and depression could cause problems such as early ejaculation and inadequate erection [7].
Selenium
Not all homeopathic medicines for erectile difficulties are herbs, mineral selenium is also frequently used among people who favor a natural approach toward more powerful boners. Selenium is a mineral naturally found in soil and some foods. It has antioxidant properties meaning it can protect the body from oxidative stress and damage it would cause. Oxidative stress is yet another factor that contributes to erectile problems [8]. Selenium is particularly useful for men with weak and slow erections, rather than with complete inability to achieve a boner. Interestingly, selenium in combination with vitamin A supports male fertility and semen quality [9].
Lycopodium
Lycopodium, also known as creeping cedar or ground pines, is a plant with small, simple, needle-like leaves. It is found in different parts of the world including Africa, South America, India, Philippines, Sri Lanka, North America, Siberia, Taiwan, China, Europe, just to name a few. The plant is equally beneficial for both young and elderly men unable to have a strong erection. In young men, the plant addresses erectile difficulty caused by excessive masturbation, but in older men, it helps strengthen their weak erection especially if they have prostate problems.
Avena sativa
Avena sativa or wild oats, native to Europe and the Middle East is a common ingredient in male enhancement pills and supplements. In homeopathic medicine, avena sativa is mainly used in the tincture form and it helps remove extreme exhaustion and deficient erections. Avena sativa is most suitable for guys who masturbate too often or overindulge in sexual activity. Oats support healthy cholesterol levels [10] which are important for heart health. Bearing in mind that your heart also depends on proper blood flow, everything that’s good for it is also good for your penis.
Tribulus terrestris
Tribulus terrestris is an annual plant mainly found in southern Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. The plant is well-known for its ability to support the production of testosterone in the body, but it can do way more than that. Tribulus is suitable for men whose erectile problems occur due to low testosterone, but it’s also useful for guys who can’t achieve an erection due to urinary troubles.
Other homeopathic solutions
- Nuphar luteum – men who can’t get a boner due to the complete absence of sexual desire
- Yohimbinum – aphrodisiac
- Argentums nitricum – used for cases when men think too much about sex and lose their erection
- Saw palmetto – addresses enlarged prostate and supports strong libido for powerful erections
- Baryta carbonica – for men who are unable to maintain their erection long enough
Conclusion
At Androgenix Advanced Health & Wellness Center, Dr. Ahmed Zayed uses comprehensive testing to identify hormone, vascular, and metabolic issues before building a plan that may include hormone replacement therapy, peptides, and follow-up care when appropriate. Schedule a consultation if these symptoms are affecting your quality of life.
References
- [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1351051/
- [2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2387281/
- [3]https://www.europeanurology.com/article/S0302-2838(15)00250-X/abstract/phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitors-for-the-treatment-of-erectile-dysfunction-a-trade-off-network-meta-analysis
- [4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2643112/
- [5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25471318
- [6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1676328/
- [7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25818906
- [8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15947695
- [9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3048346/
- [10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4325078/
