A medical professional’s visit is the first step towards better health, but it’s not always enough. Sometimes medicine doesn’t work, or doesn’t work long enough, and then you have to try something else. Unfortunately, sometimes this something else is a lot more expensive than the original prescription. So what happens when your insurance won’t cover the cost of the prescribed medication, but the cost of the alternative treatment is? That’s what we’re going to explore here, because quite simply, there is a cost involved with every treatment option, and it all needs to be considered before making a decision. We’ll begin with the most popular treatments and work our way down to the less popular ones. Here goes.
Levitra
Levitra, or l-a-v-i-t-r-a as it’s often referred to in medical circles, is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction (or the inability to achieve or maintain an erection). It does this by enhancing the effects of nitric oxide (NO) in the body. What is nitric oxide, you ask? Well, it’s a substance produced by the body which allows it to regulate blood flow throughout the body. Regulating blood flow means that the body can maintain an erection longer, and thus allows for easier sexual satisfaction. So basically, nitric oxide helps the body maintain an erection, and Levitra enhances this effect.
Levitra is a PDE-5 inhibitor, which is similar to sildenafil (Viagra). This means that it works by inhibiting the action of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5), an enzyme that breaks down cGMP in the body. Inhibition of PDE-5 activity leads to increased cGMP and thus increased blood flow throughout the body, including the penis. By increasing blood flow, cGMP levels rise, which then in turn causes an erection. So by inhibiting the breakdown of cGMP, Levitra helps maintain a continuous stream of nitric oxide and thus aids in the erection process. Pretty cool, right?
In addition to treating erectile dysfunction, some studies have suggested that Levitra may also be effective in the treatment of other conditions linked to poor blood flow, such as heart disease and high blood pressure. While there is no proof that taking Levitra improves any of these conditions, it’s still commonly prescribed for them because it’s usually better than nothing, and oftentimes cheaper than other treatments. For these reasons, Levitra is one of the more popular ED medications, with approximately 280 million prescriptions written yearly (as of 2017).
Cialis
Cialis, or c-i-a-l-i-s, is one of the newest ED medications on the market and continues to gain popularity each year. It was first approved for sale in 2004 and is currently available in a variety of forms, including tablets, softgels, and injectables. Like many other ED medications, Cialis works by increasing the body’s natural production of nitric oxide, resulting in increased blood flow to the penis and thus an erection. However, Cialis is different from the others in that it actually contains another substance, vardenafil, which is more potent than sildenafil or tadalafil (two other popular ED medications). This substance allows for greater potency while also improving the side effect profile of Cialis.
The active ingredient in Cialis, vardenafil, is a PDE-5 inhibitor. However, whereas sildenafil and tadalafil treat erectile dysfunction, vardenafil is primarily used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs), benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), and a variety of eye diseases. Like sildenafil and tadalafil, vardenafil inhibits PDE-5, but it does so more effectively than the others. This in turn leads to increased cGMP and blood flow, which is great for the treatment of ED, but also has other possible benefits.
Besides helping to treat erectile dysfunction, some studies have also suggested that Cialis may be useful for the treatment of other conditions associated with poor blood flow, including heart disease and high blood pressure. However, more studies are needed before a clear understanding of its full potential is achieved. Currently, it’s considered a good option for men who can’t achieve or maintain an erection with medication, as well as those who want an option other than pills for treatment.
Viagra
The most popular ED medication of all time is Viagra, or V-i-a-g-r-a as it’s commonly referred to in medical circles. First approved for medical use in the United States in 1996 and in Europe a year later, it was designed to be an alternative to expensive surgery for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. What makes Viagra different from the other medications we’ve discussed so far is that it directly targets and stimulates the sexual organs, especially the penis and the vagina. This is why it’s commonly referred to as a “sexual aid medication.”
Like most other ED medications, Viagra works by increasing the body’s natural production of nitric oxide, resulting in increased blood flow to the penis and thus an erection. However, unlike the others, Viagra does this by directly stimulating the nerves which control the penis and the vagina. By directly stimulating the nerves, Viagra causes a more intense orgasm, which may explain why it’s such a popular choice among those who suffer from ED. Or, at least, that’s one of the popular explanations. We’ll discuss the others in a bit.
The active ingredient in Viagra, sildenafil, is a PDE-5 inhibitor. However, whereas most other medications we’ve discussed so far inhibit PDE-5, sildenafil actually works to directly stimulate that particular enzyme. This in turn causes increased production of nitric oxide and thus increased blood flow to the penis and vagina, which is great for the treatment of ED. In addition, sildenafil is also used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension and some cases of angina, both of which are linked to poor blood flow. So, in terms of the direct effect on blood flow, we’d say that Viagra is pretty comparable to the others.
However, as with the others, there is more than one medical theory about why Viagra might be so effective in the treatment of ED. One popular explanation is that it directly stimulates the brain’s reward center, which some researchers believe is responsible for the pleasurable feelings associated with any type of sexual activity. Essentially, Viagra may help to reduce the anxiety and the fear which often accompany the first attempt at sexual activity after a long period of time without any physical contact. This theory helps to explain why Viagra is so popular among those who suffer from social anxiety disorder and other types of anxiety. It also helps to explain why this particular medication is such a good choice for those who want to try something new and different with their partner. It’s even said to increase love and trust within relationships, which is probably why it’s also so popular for those who want to start a family.
Besides helping to treat erectile dysfunction, some studies have suggested that Viagra may be useful for the treatment of other conditions linked to poor blood flow, including heart disease and high blood pressure. However, like most other medications, Viagra has quite a few side effects which need to be considered. Some of the more serious side effects include prolonged and unpleasant stimulation of the genitals, as well as headache, flushing, and dizziness. These side effects are generally mild, but they’re still present, so it’s best to be careful.
The Dangers of Overuse
Nowadays, with the advent of modern medicine, there are very few illnesses that can’t be treated effectively with some form of medication. This is great because it means there are fewer reasons to refrain from taking good care of your body. However, like most things in life, this also means there are risks associated with overuse. When it comes to ED medications, especially the more popular and increasingly popular ones, there’s also the danger of overuse. This danger stems from the fact that these medications are often prescribed for more than one condition, and sometimes they’re prescribed for several conditions simultaneously. When this happens, there is the possibility that the patient will become dependent on the medication and thus unable to function properly without it.