You’ve heard about Viagra. Maybe you’ve even tried it. But did you know that there are other medications that can help men with ED? Let’s explore the most popular ones and how you can try them out if Viagra doesn’t work for you.
Tadalafil
Tadalafil is medication that can help men with ED. It’s a PDE5 inhibitor – which means that it inhibits the action of enzymes that normally break down cGMP. This helps to keep cGMP levels high, which in turn allows blood vessels to relax and open up, thus improving blood flow to the penis and enhancing sexual function.
Unlike Viagra, which is only able to be administered orally, tadalafil can be taken as a tablet or an injection. It also has a longer half-life than Viagra, which means that it can be taken once or twice daily to maintain its therapeutic effects. While this medication certainly isn’t for everyone, it’s a safe and effective option for men who aren’t comfortable taking Viagra.
Sildenafil
Sildenafil is another medication that can be used to treat ED. It’s a PDE5 inhibitor, which means that it inhibits the action of enzymes that break down cGMP. It also works by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis, increasing blood flow and allowing for greater sexual performance.
This medication is most commonly prescribed for men with ED due to diabetes or liver disease. However, it has also been shown to be effective for men who experience low blood pressure along with ED. Like tadalafil, sildenafil can be administered orally or by injection, and it has a longer half-life than Viagra, which allows it to be taken once or twice daily for optimum results.
Riociguat
Riociguat is yet another medication that can be used to treat the same disorders as Viagra and sildenafil. It’s a vasopressor, which means that it has the dual function of increasing both blood pressure and heart rate. While it’s not specifically indicated for the treatment of ED, it’s approved for use in combination with other medications for the reduction of hypertensive episodes in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
If you’re already taking medication for hypertension, this medication is a natural alternative that can be used to help improve your sexual function. It’s also been shown to improve erectile function in studies of men with mild to moderate ED. But in other words, it’s still considered experimental, so it’s not yet included in the FDA’s list of approved medications.
Ambrisentan
Ambrisentan is an anti-inflammatory agent that’s been used to treat PAH since 2009. It’s a vasopressor, which means that it has the same dual function of increasing blood pressure and heart rate as riociguat. But instead of improving erectile function, ambrisentan is designed to reduce the symptoms of ED, such as shortness of breath and inability to empty the bladder.
This medication is also not yet included in the FDA’s list of approved medications, so it’s still considered experimental. However, it’s shown to be effective in studies of men with mild to moderate ED, so it’s worth a trial before you know it.
Tocotrienol
Tocotrienol is a compound that’s been shown in studies to improve erectile function and induce relaxation of muscles in the penis. It’s an antioxidant, which means that it protects cell membranes from injury and prevents them from losing their normal function. The exact mechanism of action is unknown, but it has been suggested that tocotrienol works by reducing cell death and necrosis in the tissues of the penis. These tissues play a crucial role in maintaining erectile function, so this medication could be a viable option for men struggling with ED who don’t want to take prescription drugs.
Tocotrienol was originally developed as a treatment for cancer and has shown promising results in preliminary studies of men with ED. But, as with ambrisentan and riociguat, there is still not enough evidence to recommend it.
Examining Other Treatments
If none of the above treatments seem to be making a noticeable difference in your erectile function, then it’s time to consider other treatments. If you’ve tried Viagra and it didn’t help, there are several alternative remedies that deserve a try. Some men with ED have reported improved results from these treatments:
- Weight loss
- Injections
- Pulmonary angioplasty
- Intraluminal prosthesis (Wang prosthesis)
- Percutaneous implantation of prosthetic valve (Percy Valve)
Though none of these treatments are guaranteed to help you, they might be worth a try. But remember, not all men will experience the same results from these treatments as they do from Viagra. And, as always, you need to be sure that you’re not abusing alcohol or taking other medications that affect your sexual function.
Getting Help From Emergency Rooms
Some men with ED might not even consider themselves really serious cases, so they might not seek help from a primary care doctor or a sexual health clinic. If you fit into this category, then it might be a good idea to go to the emergency room and get some treatment. Even if you feel that your ED is not that severe, going to the emergency room is still an option for you. They might be able to give you a prescription for Cialis or Viagra which could help you get through the day.
When you’re in the emergency room, they might also be able to give you some counseling about your sex life or refer you to a psychologist who could help you work through some of your problems. Not being comfortable talking to your doctor about your sex life is completely normal, but it can be hard to find the right mental health professional who understands what you’re going through.
Seeking Help From Alternative Medicine
Nowadays, people are more likely to try alternative medicine instead of heading straight to the pharmacy for pills. So if you’re looking for a non-prescription remedy, then you might want to try acyclovir, saw palmetto, gingko biloba or vardenafil. There is however, not enough evidence to recommend any of these over-the-counter remedies.
If none of the above treatments seem to be helping you, then it’s time to consider alternative medicine. If you’re interested in trying something new and don’t want to take a pill, then consider acyclovir, saw palmetto, gingko biloba or vardenafil. But remember, not all men will experience the same results from these treatments as they do from Viagra, so it’s important to try as many different medications as possible before making a decision.