Viagra, the most popular drug among men for erectile dysfunction, has hit the headlines recently for the wrong reasons. The drug has become quite popular and is being advertised on TV shows and social media. But, despite its fame, the drug doesn’t work for everyone. If it doesn’t work for you, then what alternatives are there?
If you’re facing erectile dysfunction and are looking for a solution, then you’ve probably tried Viagra. Most men have, at least once in their life. But what if that solution doesn’t work for you? Do you still have to settle for an unfulfilled life?
Thankfully, there are other solutions. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the other treatments for erectile dysfunction and how you can try them out. Keep reading for more information.
Vardenafil
Viagra’s main competitor, vardenafil, wins the prize for the Most Promising New Drug. This drug wasn’t included in the original Viagra patent, but was later approved as a treatment for erectile dysfunction. It works in a similar way to Viagra, binding to and blocking the re-uptake transporter in the brain. When this happens, neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, are more available to affect neural activity in the region of the brain that controls erections!
While Viagra was originally developed to treat erectile dysfunction, there are many other conditions that vardenafil can help. It is FDA approved to treat male erectile dysfunction, as well as conditions like pulmonary arterial hypertension and type 2 diabetes. These are the types of conditions that the makers of Viagra want to push their drug as a treatment for. However, vardenafil is also incredibly effective at treating other conditions that Viagra is not approved to treat. If you’re interested in trying out vardenafil for other conditions, then you can read the FDA prescribing information here.
Sildenafil
Another drug used to treat erectile dysfunction is sildenafil. Like vardenafil, this drug is also a PDE-5 inhibitor and binds to and blocks the reuptake transporter in the brain, increasing the availability of dopamine and serotonin. However, sildenafil is a little more selective in its receptor binding than vardenafil. This means that it will interact with certain parts of the brain, specifically areas related to motor functions. Some studies have even shown that sildenafil can improve aspects of libido and erectile function in men!
This drug has also been found to be helpful for women. In fact, sildenafil is approved for not only erectile dysfunction in men, but also for treating low libido in women and some vaginal disorders, like hyperpression and dyspareunia. If you’re trying to decide whether to try sildenafil or vardenafil, then you should probably go with the latter. However, if you’re a woman with concerns about your libido, then sildenafil might be the right choice for you. Check out the FDA prescribing information here to see if this drug can help you. Or, if you’re interested in trying it out for other conditions, then you can read the drug’s full prescribing information here.
Tadalafil
Tadalafil is another PDE-5 inhibitor that is commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction and is usually the last treatment option for men. It is a fairly new drug and was approved in 2014. It inhibits the reuptake transporter in the same way as the previous two drugs, but it also inhibits a separate enzyme, PDE-6. This means that it will have a more significant effect on neural activity in the region of the brain than the previous two drugs, which are only effective at blocking the reuptake transporter.
Due to its unique mechanism of action, this drug is effective at bettering erectile function in men with diabetes. And, since it is a PDE-5 inhibitor, it is also effective at treating pulmonary arterial hypertension. However, this drug is known to have many side effects, including headache, back pain, jaw pain, and nausea. Some people experience visual disturbances, including photophobia and blurred vision. If you’re interested in trying this drug, then you should definitely do your research first and read the full prescribing information here. Also, make sure that you consult your doctor to see if this drug is right for you.
Cialis
Cialis is another drug which, when used in combination with a nitric oxide (NO) precursor, can help men with erectile dysfunction. NO is a hormone which, when exuded by cavernosal endothelial cells, causes smooth muscle relaxation in the corpus cavernosum. As a result, more blood enters the penis and causes it to fill up, which, in turn, leads to an erection. Cialis is a drug that can help boost natural NO production in the body, thus enhancing the effectiveness of the abovementioned treatment. It can also help men with low libido. However, like the other drugs on this list, cialis is most effective at treating erectile dysfunction in men who suffer from hypertension or diabetes. In addition, since it is a PDE-5 inhibitor, it can also be used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Also, please note that cialis shouldn’t be taken with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). This drug can increase the risk of hip fracture in elderly men due to possible changes in bone mineralization. If you’re interested in trying out cialis, then make sure to consult your doctor first to see what dose you should take and for what reason. Also, be sure to take your medicine at the same time every day, preferably in the morning.
Other Treatments
There are several other therapies which can be used to treat erectile dysfunction, including prescription drugs, surgery, and therapy. However, due to limited data and/or lack of efficacy, these options aren’t always suitable for everyone. Some men with erectile dysfunction may require a combination of therapies in order to find the right treatment for them.
Many men with erectile dysfunction try to avoid medications, preferring to try and treat the cause of the problem instead. However, sometimes this isn’t possible. If medications are required due to side effects or lack of efficacy, then men are faced with a difficult choice. Should they try to find a medication that is effective or should they try to find an alternative? If they do go the medication route, then which one should they try?
There are several medications which are known to be effective at treating erectile dysfunction, including Viagra, sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil. The main issue is that not all men will be able to benefit from these treatments. More and more men are being diagnosed with erectile dysfunction, which has opened up the field for new medications. However, since there are no perfect treatments for ED, many men are looking for alternative methods of therapy, like acupuncture or meditation.