Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent condition, especially among older men. According to the American Urological Association, about 40 million men in the US suffer from this condition. While there is help available, such as counseling and devices like Viagra, for many, prescription medication is the only option. But what is the difference between the two types of ED medication? Which one should you try first? Here are some of the most common differences between Viagra and OTC medication for ED:
How Do They Work?
Both Viagra and OTC medication for ED work by causing blood flow into the penis and relaxing the muscles in the penis. When blood rushes into the penis, it becomes engorged—this is what causes the erection. But while the effect of Viagra is immediate, the effect of OTC medication can take a while to appear. This is one of the major differences between the two medications. Because it takes a while for OTC medication to kick in, you have to be careful not to overexert yourself in order to maintain an erection. It also means that you have to keep taking the medication even when you’re not experiencing symptoms or problems, which some people find inconvenient. Some people with ED also experience side effects from OTC medication, such as headaches, dizziness, and digestive problems. But these are usually mild and go away after a few days.
Who Needs Prescription Medication?
As we mentioned above, 40 million men in the US suffer from ED. That is a lot of men, especially since the prevalence of the condition rises with age. According to the American Urological Association, older men are more likely to need prescription medication to maintain an erection than younger men. One of the major causes of ED in older men is atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Because atherosclerosis causes ED by restricting the flow of blood into the penis, it makes sense that prescription medication is required to treat the condition. In addition to ED caused by atherosclerosis, other common causes of ED in older men include diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and prostate cancer. It is important to note that not all men with one of these conditions will necessarily develop ED, but it is likely that they will if they are not on medication already for another condition. In these cases, a doctor may prescribe medication for ED to treat the problem caused by the other condition.
If you are among the 40 million men in the US who suffer from ED, it is important to consult your doctor about what treatment would be right for you. In some cases, you may not need medication at all, and your doctor may be able to prescribe you a solution instead. However, for the majority of men, medication is the required treatment. It is also important to consult your doctor about the various side effects of each type of medication, so that you can be sure of what to expect. In some cases, the side effects of one type of medication may make you ineligible for or unable to take the other type. For example, if you are already taking a nitrate medication for chest pain (angina), you cannot take Viagra without first having your blood pressure checked. Your doctor may also have advice about what other medications you can take alongside the ones for ED.
Who Needs Over-the-Counter (OTC) Treatment?
As we mentioned above, 40 million men in the US suffer from ED. However, this is only the case for half of all men with the condition. The other group of men are able to maintain an erection by using OTC medication. This group of men may not necessarily require medications to treat their condition, and in fact—in most cases—they do not. This is mainly because OTC medication for ED works faster and has a more immediate effect than prescription medication. The obvious advantage of OTC medication is that you do not have to wait for the effects to appear before being able to have intercourse. You can take it as soon as you start experiencing symptoms and can continue using it periodically throughout the day if necessary. This may be convenient for some people and can make a big difference in terms of how they experience their erections. But for the majority of men with ED, prescription medication is the recommended treatment.
What Are The Common Side Effects Of Each Type Of Treatment?
The side effects of Viagra and OTC medication for ED are quite similar. The most common side effects include headaches, flushing, and indigestion. These are all typically mild and go away after a few days. The side effects of prescription medication for ED are also quite similar, but with one important difference. In most cases, men taking prescription medication for ED will experience a slight increase in their cholesterol levels. But since cholesterol deposits can lead to heart disease, this is generally considered a positive effect. It means that while Viagra and OTC treatment have similar side effects, prescription medication for ED has a slightly positive effect on health.
As for the differences between the two treatments in terms of effectiveness, this is quite hard to compare because each treatment has proven useful for different cases. OTC medication for ED has been known to work effectively for men who have an overall weak erection, while Viagra has been known to work better for men who have low blood pressure at the time of the erection. It is also important to consult your doctor about what treatment may be right for you based on the causes of your ED. This will help you determine which treatment is the best option for you.
When Should You Try One Treatment Vs The Other?
Based on the differences and similarities between Viagra and OTC medication for ED, it is clear that the two treatments are closely related and can be used interchangeably. In most cases, men with ED will need to try both treatments and see which one works best for them. One of the reasons for this is that while OTC medication for ED can be used to treat the condition immediately, without having to go through any kind of prescription, it does not provide any long-term benefits and may even have some negative effects in the long run. For instance, if you are using OTC medication to manage your ED and do not take the medication for long periods of time, your cholesterol levels may eventually rise and cause health problems. In some cases, men have experienced heart attacks and strokes while on OTC medication for ED—this has been documented in medical journals. While using OTC medication for ED may still be convenient for some people, it is certainly not something that they should look forward to. Taking medication every day for long periods of time may also cause problems with your liver or kidneys over time—this is also linked to heart disease and diabetes.
On the other hand, Viagra provides long-term benefits for men who use it regularly. This is mainly because it improves blood flow into the penis and allows men to maintain an erection for longer periods of time. While the effect of Viagra is quite immediate, it does not mean that it is always the best option for men with ED. Sometimes, another drug may be more effective for certain cases of ED. But as a rule of thumb, if you are looking for a drug to treat your erectile dysfunction, you should try to avoid using OTC medication altogether. In many cases, the long-term use of Viagra may even be necessary in order to maintain a satisfactory level of health. Taking medication every day on a regular basis may also become a habit you establish for the rest of your life. This is why it is often recommended that men with ED try both medications and see which one works best for them. In most cases, Viagra will work just fine and OTC medication will not be necessary—unless you experience problems due to a lack of cholesterol.
One last thing to keep in mind is that not all men with ED will be able to benefit from either treatment. Men who have severe liver or kidney problems are generally unable to take medication for other conditions. If you have severe liver or kidney problems, it is best to seek help from a doctor as soon as possible in order to determine whether or not you are eligible to take medication for any condition. It is also important to note that your doctor may have advice about what other medications you can take alongside the ones for ED, as well as advice about whether or not you should take OTC medication for ED. There are also case studies documenting the successful treatment of ED with a combination of medications, so your doctor may have advice about this as well.
In most cases, either treatment for ED is going to be satisfactory. It is quite difficult to compare the effectiveness of each treatment because they are meant for different cases. What is important is that you consult your doctor so he can help you determine which one is the best option for you based on your specific case. In most cases, taking medication for ED is going to be beneficial, especially if you take the medication on a regular basis. While OTC medication may still be convenient for some people, it is certainly not something to look forward to. If you have ED and are on the fence about which treatment to try, it is best to try both—unless you are experiencing problems due to a lack of cholesterol.