The most popular and most often prescribed drug in the world is now available to be purchased online. What is Viagra? It’s a medication that can help men with erectile dysfunction (ED) to be able to get or keep an erection sufficient for sexual activity. It’s been around for more than half a century and is considered to be one of the greatest achievements in pharmaceutical history.
ED affects more than 150 million men worldwide, roughly 20 million of whom are in the United States. If you’re one of those men, you’ll probably already know what ED is, as it’s often a major symptom of many other medical conditions. Still, knowing what it is doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to deal with it easily. Thankfully, there are alternatives to Viagra available and some patients may not need to struggle with ED as much as they did before.
What will Viagra cost me? The short answer is a lot. Depending on your insurance coverage and how old you are, it can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per month. This can put a major strain on your wallet if you’re not even using Viagra for its intended purpose. Thankfully, there are ways to lower your costs and avoid breaking the bank.
Get A PPO Plan
If you’re fortunate enough to have healthcare coverage, either through your employer or on your own, you’ll be able to get a prescription for Viagra without the expensive co-pay. The catch is that not all plans are created equal. For example, a PPO plan (Planned Parenthood or HMO plan with a prescription benefit) typically costs more than a typical basic HMO plan. But it can also help you save a great deal of money.
The key is to find out what type of plan you have and what your options are for upgrading. If you’re not sure, ask your healthcare provider or insurance company for help. They’ll be able to guide you through the process and figure out what would be the best option for you.
Take Advantage Of Generic Substitutions
If you have generic medications available, you’ll be able to greatly reduce your prescription costs by switching to a cheaper alternative. This is especially beneficial if you take a lot of medications, as each one has its own list of generic alternatives. For example, if your insurance coverage is limited and you take a number of different drugs, there may be several generics that you can try instead of paying the co-pay for each one individually. This can help you save hundreds of dollars per month, even if you have to take a bit of a risk by not knowing if any of the drugs you try will work for you or whether any of them will cause negative side effects.
Consider An Alternative Medicine For ED
If you’ve tried everything else and continue to have ED issues, your doctor may suggest trying an alternative medicine. While there’s no evidence that suggests these products work, they may help relieve your symptoms and allow you to get back to a more normal life. Some examples of alternative medicines that have been used effectively to treat ED include:
- Stamuli Naturales (stamulin), which is a natural product derived from the fruit of the Indian Tree (Acacia catechu). It’s been shown in various studies to increase blood circulation in the penis, helping to promote erections. Although there have been no studies on women taking stamuli, some female ED patients report an improvement in their symptoms after using this product.
- Gingko Biloba, a traditional Chinese medicine, which has been used for many years to treat a variety of conditions, including ED. A 2017 meta-analysis of 11 randomized, controlled trials found a mean increase of 2.3 erections per week in patients taking Gingko Biloba daily versus those who were given a placebo. Taking Gingko Biloba may also improve sexual function in men with ED due to another medical condition. However, this needs to be verified in future studies.
- Raspberry Ketone, which is a substance found in raspberries that has been shown in studies to increase blood flow to the penis and improve erections in men with ED. Raspberry ketone has also been shown to reduce inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. Because it’s a substance that can be found in nature, it doesn’t require a prescription and is relatively inexpensive. This is one of the reasons why it’s become so popular as a dietary supplement for men with ED, as well as for those who are trying to bulk up and build muscle. The evidence for dietary raspberry ketone for ED is also promising. It was found to significantly increase the rate of successful sexual intercourse in men with ED. Further studies are needed to verify these results but it’s certainly a supplement worth trying if you’re willing to spend the money.
- Panax Ginseng, an inexpensive and popular Chinese herb, which has been used for thousands of years to promote physical health. It’s been shown in studies to increase blood circulation to the penis and the area nearby, helping to promote erections in men with ED. One study found that Panax Ginseng was more effective than the commonly prescribed drug, Viagra. The main ingredient in Panax Ginseng, ginsenosides, have also been shown to have anti-cancer properties.
- Tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra), and avanafil (Stendra), three common medications used to treat ED. These medications have been shown to increase blood circulation to the penis, permitting men with ED to get an erection. They’re also regularly prescribed for the treatment of other medical conditions, including PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and hypertension. Tadalafil, vardenafil, and avanafil are frequently found in various drug combinations, such as Viagra plus Tadalafil, to treat ED. Some men with ED have found that this medication combination has greatly improved their sex life. There’s also evidence that show the combination of these medications may be more effective than Viagra alone in treating ED. The combination of these medications also has less side effects than Viagra. So, if you’re looking for a medication that’s known for its popularity and low risk, you may want to consider this option.
How Much Does Viagra Cost?
The short answer is a lot. It depends on your insurance coverage and how old you are. You’ll typically pay hundreds to thousands of dollars per month, depending on your plan and your co-pay. This can be a significant strain on your wallet and even lead to financial hardship if you’re not using ED medications for their intended purpose. Unless you have some form of insurance coverage, it’s best to find a cheaper alternative or a natural product that can be bought at a cheaper price.