Even though marketed as a recreational drug, Viagra has many well-documented health benefits. Studies have shown that taking Viagra can help to prevent heart disease, improve blood circulation, and increase sexual desire. Plus, it can help to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).
However, just like with any other drug, not everyone will benefit from taking Viagra. For some, the side effects may be too much and other medications may be indicated. If you’re one of these individuals, you may be wondering about the best natural alternative to Viagra. Here are some of the most popular and effective alternatives.
Tadalafil
Tadalafil, discovered in 2003, is a chemical compound that is similar to sildenafil and vardenafil. While most men will experience some sort of improvement with oral medication, side effects like headaches, flushing, and upset stomach are still commonly reported by people taking tadalafil. However, the side effects are relatively minor and rarely cause a serious problem.
Sildenafil
Sildenafil is another common alternative to Viagra that you may encounter. It was first marketed as an eye medication and then as a pulmonary drug before being approved for use in the treatment of ED. Like tadalafil, sildenafil is also a potent PDE5 inhibitor and helps to improve blood circulation and relaxes the muscles in the lungs, which may help to treat asthma. In addition to these benefits, people that have experienced serious side effects while on sildenafil have also reported improvements in their mood and increased energy levels. Unfortunately, side effects like headache, flushing, and upset stomach are commonly reported and can be just as severe as those experienced with Viagra.
Vardenafil
Vardenafil, discovered in 2003, is another PDE5 inhibitor that is structurally similar to sildenafil and tadalafil. However, it is more potent than either of those medications and has fewer side effects. Like sildenafil and tadalafil, vardenafil is approved for use in the treatment of ED and also may help to prevent pulmonary hypertension, a disease that can lead to heart failure. Because vardenafil is so effective and has such a low toxicity profile, it has been approved for use in combination with other heart medications.
Cialis
Cialis is a brand name for an oral drug that is intended to treat ED. It was first marketed in Germany and then in other parts of Europe before being approved for use in the United States. Similar to Viagra, Cialis helps to increase blood flow to the penis and relax the muscles in the pelvic floor, which may help to improve potency. It is a commonly prescribed medication for ED and is considered to be a safe and effective alternative to Viagra. However, as with any prescription drug, Cialis may cause side effects and toxicities. These side effects may include digestive issues, headaches, flushing, and stuffy nose.
Levitra
Levitra is a brand name for an oral medication that is used to treat ED. It was first marketed in Europe and then in other parts of the world, including America, where it is frequently prescribed as an alternative to Viagra. Just like Cialis and Viagra, Levitra helps to increase blood flow to the penis and relax the muscles in the pelvic floor, which may increase sexual desire. Like Cialis and Viagra, Levitra is also widely used to treat pulmonary hypertension and is a potent PDE4 inhibitor. However, like any other medicine, Levitra may have side effects and toxicities that range from mild to severe. The most common side effects include headache, flushing, and upset stomach.
How Do These Drugs Work?
As you may have guessed from the names of the medications, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and cialis are all chemical compounds that work by inhibiting enzymes known as phosphodiesterases (PDEs). PDEs inhibit the body’s natural production of nitric oxide, which is responsible for relaxing and dilating blood vessels, inhibiting platelets, and regulating blood pressure. Inhibiting PDEs therefore has beneficial effects on both the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
PDEs are present in all body tissues and organs, but with particularly high levels found in the smooth muscles of the vasculature and in the nervous system. Hence, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and cialis all have high levels of selectivity for these PDEs and have little to no effect on other enzymes or proteins. This selective effect makes these medications ideal candidates for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
However, even though these medications target only the PDEs that are directly associated with erectile dysfunction, they still work by relaxing the muscles in the walls of blood vessels and increasing blood flow to the penis.
Which One Is the Best Choice for You?
As you may have guessed from the previous paragraphs, all of these medications are potent PDE5 inhibitors and are therefore suitable for use in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. However, not all people will experience the same benefits from taking any of these medications.
If you’re taking any of these medications for erectile dysfunction, studies have shown that you may not experience any benefit from tadalafil or vardenafil unless you’re also taking a vasodilator. In addition, if you’re taking vardenafil or cialis, you may have trouble benefiting from the treatments unless your blood pressure is normal or you’re taking a step-down dose.
Based on these studies, it would be best for people that are trying to find a natural alternative to Viagra if they are also taking a nitric oxide booster and a blood pressure medication. If you meet these criteria, then sildenafil should be your first choice and it has been clinically shown to improve erections and also reduce the workload of the heart, which may lower the risk of heart disease.
In addition, if you’re also taking antidepressants, then cialis should be your first choice as it has been clinically shown to help to improve depression and anxiety, which are frequently associated with erectile dysfunction. However, if you’re not on medication for these conditions, then either sildenafil or tadalafil may be a better choice because fewer people will experience unpleasant side effects while on these medications.
If you’re looking for a natural alternative that has been clinically proven to work and is as effective as the popular prescription medications, then vardenafil and cialis may be your best option. However, if you have mild to moderate ED that does not interfere with your daily activities, then sildenafil is still a good choice because it has fewer side effects.
As you may have guessed, all of these medications are potent PDE5 inhibitors and have been extensively studied for their effectiveness in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. However, not all people will experience the same benefits from taking any of these medications. If you’re one of these individuals, then either sildenafil or tadalafil may be the best options for you because they have fewer side effects than vardenafil and cialis. For more information, be sure to consult with your physician or healthcare provider.