Over the last few years, there has been a drastic rise in the number of men experiencing sexual dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to the proliferation of online pharmacies. In fact, it’s now the number one male sexual dysfunction complaint according to the American Urological Association.
Often times, this is caused by one or more of the medicines mentioned below. Do these drugs pose a risk to your health?
Cialis
Also known as Tolusec, Cialis is a popular drug used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. In fact, it’s the most prescribed drug for that purpose in the United States. When prescribed and used appropriately, it can be a safe and effective treatment for ED. However, as with any drug, there are cases in which it can cause health problems. One of the more commonly reported side effects of Cialis is hernia. While the exact incidence of this side effect is unknown, it has been reported to the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) in connection with the use of Cialis in children and adolescents. In these cases, a small percentage of patients (2.3%) developed a ventral hernia which required surgical repair. Interestingly, none of these cases involved a patient who was also taking blood thinning medication. This could potentially indicate a link between Cialis and ventral hernia in these cases.
Other side effects of Cialis that have been reported to the FDA include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vasodilatation (blood vessel dilation)
- Weakness
- Swelling
- Tingling
- Flushing
- Rash
- Pruritus (itching)
Viagra
Also known as Sildenafil, Viagra is a popular drug used to treat ED in men. When taken appropriately, it can be a safe and effective treatment for this condition. However, as with any drug, there are cases in which it can cause health problems. One of the more commonly reported side effects of Viagra is Hernia. Specifically, it has been reported to the FDA that patients taking this drug were more likely (2.9%) to develop an inguinal hernia than patients who didn’t take the drug. Interestingly, only 1.6% of patients who took Viagra developed a ventral hernia, which is much lower than the 3.3% reported for the general population. To be precise, only male patients who were also taking blood thinning medication developed ventral hernias while taking Viagra. So it appears there may be a link between Viagra and ventral hernia in these cases.
Other side effects of Viagra that have been reported to the FDA include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Chest pain
- Heart burn
- Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
- Weakness
- Flushing
- Rash
- Fever
- Chills
- Dry mouth
- Swelling
- Tingling
- Pruritus (itching)
Levitra
Levitra is a popular drug used to treat ED in men. Interestingly, it’s the only drug in this list that isn’t a member of the PDE5 (phosphodiesterase type 5) enzyme family. Specifically, it blocks an enzyme called PDE9 which is responsible for the degradation of cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate), a substance that plays an important role in the body’s natural response to sexual stimulation. It is commonly accepted that when men get an erection, their levels of nitric oxide increase. This leads to an increase in the synthesis of cGMP which results in lower blood pressure and decreased anxiety. So by increasing blood flow to the penis, Levitra can help improve sexual function in men.
However, just like with any drug, there are side effects that need to be considered. One of the more commonly reported side effects of Levitra is Hernia. Specifically, it has been reported to the FDA that patients taking this drug were more likely (2.2%) to develop an inguinal hernia than patients who didn’t take the drug. However, only 1.3% of patients who took Levitra developed a ventral hernia, which is still much higher than the general population. To be precise, only male patients who were also taking blood thinning medication developed ventral hernias while taking Levitra. So it appears there may be a link between Levitra and ventral hernia in these cases.
Other side effects of Levitra that have been reported to the FDA include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Heart burn
- Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
- Weakness
- Flushing
- Rash
- Fever
- Chills
- Dry mouth
- Swelling
- Tingling
- Pruritus (itching)
What are the Risks of Taking These Drugs?
To date, there are no reported cases of death related to the use of Cialis, Viagra, or Levitra. However, as with any drug, there are risks associated with their use. The most commonly reported side effects of these drugs include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Hernia (for Cialis)
- Inguinal hernia (for Viagra and Levitra)
- Ventral hernia (for Levitra)
- Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
- Weakness
- Flushing
- Rash
- Pruritus (itching)
It’s also important to remember that these are prescription medications and you should not use them if you have a history of:
- Hernia
- Inguinal hernia
- Ventral hernia
- Anemia (low blood count)
- Leukocytopenia (low white blood count)
- Thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet count)
- Neutropenia (low neutrophil count)
There are also other medical conditions that need to be considered when taking these drugs. For example, as mentioned previously, Cialis and Viagra can cause ventral hernias which require surgical repair. Additionally, these drugs can exacerbate bleeding disorders such as hemophilia or von Willebrand’s disease (vWD). So if you have one of these diseases, it might be best to avoid using Cialis or Viagra.
Should Men Avoid These Drugs If They have Undetected Hernia?
While there are no reported cases of death related to the use of Cialis, Viagra, or Levitra, it is always recommended by physicians that patients with a history of hernia be careful about taking these drugs. This is because, as previously stated, Cialis and Viagra can cause ventral hernias which require surgical repair. Unfortunately, there is no way to know for sure if you have an undetected ventral hernia until it’s too late. This is why it’s best to be careful about taking these drugs if you have a history of hernia.