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In simple terms, erectile dysfunction is the consistent inability to develop or maintain an erection. While the condition is also commonly referred to as impotence, medically speaking, the term erectile dysfunction is used to separate impotence with other problems that impair sexual performance.
According to the Massachusetts Male Ageing Study, erectile dysfunction affects around 52% of men in the United States. While the condition is more prevalent in older men, it is by no means only caused by aging.
It can happen to adult men regardless of their age, and erectile dysfunction in men can occur for multiple reasons. It can occur as a direct consequence of psychological conditions, physical conditions, certain lifestyle choices, or even as a side effect of certain medications.
Fortunately, erectile dysfunction is a curable condition and there are loads of ED drugs and treatments out there – ranging from over-the-counter erection pills to natural supplements.
Below you’ll find a detailed and comprehensive guide on the best erectile dysfunction pills currently available – both synthetic and natural. We’ll have a look at the efficacy, side-effects, effective duration, and affordability of each drug in detail.
After reading this, you will be able to make an educated decision on what is the best option for you. Let’s have a look!
What Will You Learn?
- What Erection Pills Are Available
- Prescription Drugs
- Natural Herbal Supplements
- How Fast Do These Pills Work
- How Long Do Their Effects Last
- Side Effects of Erection Pills
- Cost of These Pills
- Prescription Pills VS Natural Supplements
- Holistic Natural Approach
What Erection Pills Are Available?
Like we’ve mentioned above, there’s a wide variety of pills available for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, both synthetic and natural.
The costs, duration, and side-effects of each drug can be very different, depending on which drug you’re going for.
Prescription Drugs
First, we’ll discuss the common drugs prescribed for erectile dysfunction.
Viagra
This is probably the most popular and most well-known drug out there. Viagra works by increasing blood flow to erectile tissues, thereby making it easier to achieve and maintain an erection.
However, and many men don’t realize this when buying Viagra, but it does not function as an aphrodisiac. While Viagra does create the optimum biological condition for an erection, it won’t actually enhance your libido. In other words, it’ll only work if you’re already sexually aroused.
Viagra is essentially the most popular brand of the drug Sildenafil. While Viagra comes in blue diamond-shaped pills (the design is patented by Pfizer), regular Sildenafil comes in either white or blue pills.
Sildenafil works practically the same as it’s little blue counterpart and it is generally just as effective as well.
Cialis
Cialis is another popular erectile dysfunction prescription drug. As the most popular brand of the drug Tadalafil, Cialis works in a similar manner to Viagra.
By increasing the flow of blood to the penis, it makes it easier to achieve and maintain an erection. But just like Viagra, Cialis cannot increase libido or create sexual arousal.
The drug was first approved by the United States’ FDA to be used as an erectile dysfunction drug in 2003. Tadalafil is also prescribed for benign prostatic hyperplasia pulmonary arterial hypertension under the brand name “Adcirca”.
Levitra
Levitra, also known as Vardenafil, is another commonly prescribed oral drug for erectile dysfunction. Levitra, when combined with sexual stimulation, works by increasing blood flow to the penis.
The right dosage of Levitra is generally based on how you respond to treatment and the severity of your condition.
Spedra
Spedra is a popular brand of an erectile dysfunction drug called Avanafil. It’s classified as a PDE-5 (Phosphodiesterase Type 5) inhibitor drug.
Spedra functions by inhibiting a particular PDE-5 enzyme which is found in the corpus cavernosum penis in addition to a number of other body tissues. This maintains the level of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) – something that causes the arteries in the penis to dilate – in the smooth muscle cells.
Like the ED drugs mentioned above, Spedra will not work if you’re not sexually aroused.
Natural Herbal Supplements
Now that we’ve gone over the list of the most commonly prescribed synthetic erectile dysfunction pills, it’s time now to look at the best natural herbal supplements available for erectile dysfunction.
Ginseng
Panax Ginseng, more commonly known as red ginseng, is a herbal remedy that originates from Korea. It’s used to treat a wide variety of maladies and conditions, including erectile dysfunction.
Red ginseng is the herb’s oldest form. It’s not harvested until the plant is at least 6 years of age. Herbal supplement manufacturers generally offer red ginseng in the form of either tea or pills.
While researchers have been, as of yet, unable to identify the exact mechanism through which red ginseng improves erectile function, the herb is understood to cause hormonal changes that can be compared to testosterone.
Red ginseng is also known to increase the levels of nitric oxide in the body, which leads to an increased flow of blood to the penis.
A systematic review of studies regarding red ginseng and its effects on ED discovered that six of the reviewed studies reported a decrease in the symptoms of erectile dysfunction when compared with a placebo.
L-arginine
In simple terms, L-arginine is an amino acid which helps create proteins. It also turns into nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide can help erectile function as it relaxes the arteries in the penis, allowing more oxygen-rich blood to flow through the blood vessels.
DHEA Extract
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is produced by the adrenal glands in the body. One of the main reasons why erectile dysfunction is more common in older men is because DHEA and testosterone levels naturally decrease as age increases.
Natural erection pills that contain DHEA extract can increase both testosterone and energy levels in your body, thereby making it easier to develop and maintain an erection.
Gingko Biloba
While this South American herb has been long used to treat restricted vascularity disorders, it’s only recently that its effectiveness as a natural erectile dysfunction remedy has come to the fore.
Gingko Biloba has been found to be particularly effective in erectile dysfunction cases where the condition was caused by the usage of certain antidepressants. Ginkgo Biloba can help your erectile function by stimulating blood flow to your penis.
Horny Goat Weed
Also known as epimedium, this appropriately-named herb has been used as a traditional herbal treatment of ED for ages. The main ingredient in the weed is called icariin.
Studies have found that icariin works quite like drugs like Sildenafil, making horny goat weed an effective ingredient to treat ED.
Viasil
Viasil is an all-natural erection pill that actually combines all these ingredients that stimulate erectile function. It contains numerous herbal ingredients, like gingko biloba, ginseng, pomegranate, and more to help treat your ED.
The best part? Because it’s 100% natural you won’t have to worry about any nasty side-effects!
How Fast Do these Pills Work?
The speed at which erection pills work varies from drug to drug. Here’s a speed breakdown of all the pills we’ve mentioned above:
- Viagra: In oral tablet form, Viagra generally starts working within 30 to 60 minutes. However, users can take it up to 4 hours before sexual activity.
- Cialis: While Cialis starts working relatively quickly, it’s still slower than Viagra. Cialis can take anywhere between 1 to 2 hours to deliver its full effects.
- Levitra: At around 30 minutes, Levitra’s delivery time is similar to that of Viagra’s.
- Spedra: If you want an erection pill that delivers its effects quickly, then Spedra is the best choice. Spedra is known to work within 15 to 30 minutes.
How Long Do Their Effects Last?
Again, the effective duration of pills varies from drug to drug.
- Viagra: While the effects of Viagra generally last from 2 to 3 hours after taking the drug, some users have reported effects lasting for up to 5 hours.
- Cialis: Cialis is comfortably the longest lasting erectile dysfunction drug. Its effects have been known to last for as long as 36 hours.
- Levitra: The duration time of Levitra is similar to that of Viagra’s. The effects of the drug generally last for 4 hours.
- Spedra: The effects of Spedra can last for up to 5 hours, which makes it a longer-lasting ED drug than Viagra and Levitra.
Side Effects of Erection Pills
It’s important to note that most erection pills have associated side-effects which can be compounded by allergies or when taken in combination with other medications.
Therefore, it’s advisable to always check with your doctor before you decide to take any ED drug.
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- Side Effects of Viagra:
The side effects of Viagra are typically quite mild and suffered very briefly. The most commonly reported side effects of Viagra include headaches, light-headedness, stuffy nose, and flushed skin.
However, more serious side effects such as impaired vision and indigestion have also been associated with Viagra.
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- Side Effects of Cialis:
The most important thing to remember with Cialis is that it should not be used simultaneously with any nitrate medication. It can lead to hypotension, which is a serious and sudden drop in blood pressure.
People suffering from cardiac or blood pressure problems should also refrain from using Cialis. Other side effects of the drug include nausea, dizziness, numbness and tingling in the arms, neck, chest, and jaw.
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- Side Effects of Levitra:
The side effects associated with Levitra include flushed skin, headache, stuffed nose, and dizziness. Some users have also reported more serious side effects such as blurred vision, sensitivity to light and difficulty in telling green and blue colors apart.
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- Side Effects of Spedra:
The side effects reported by Spedra users include back pain, constipation, diarrhea, upset stomach, dizziness, headache, and flushed skin.
Cost of Erectile Pills
The cost of erectile pills varies from drug to drug as well. The other main factor that affects the cost of such drugs is its potency. For instance, 50 mg Viagra pills are generally more expensive than 25 mg ones.
However, the exact price you pay for any ED drug will ultimately depend upon your pharmacy and insurance plan. With that being said, generic versions of Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, and Spedra can be typically purchased at half the cost of their branded counterparts.
Prescription Pills Vs Natural Supplements
While prescription ED pills can deliver fast results, they’re associated with a wide variety of side effects, ranging from moderate to severe.
Additionally, prescription erection drugs can potentially trigger or exacerbate underlying medical conditions. Furthermore, there’s also a danger of prescription ED drugs reacting negatively with other medication you might be taking.
Drugs such as Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, and Spedra are also not aphrodisiacs. They only provide a temporary solution to the problem instead of curing it permanently.
Natural supplements, on the other hand, offer a vastly different proposition. Erectile dysfunction supplements like Viasil are formulated with a wide variety of all-natural herbal remedies that not only make it easier to achieve an erection, but also increase your libido.
The combination of healthy lifestyle changes and all-natural supplements are a better way to combat erectile dysfunction than solely using over the counter drugs like Viagra and Levitra.
Holistic Natural Approach with Healthy Diet, Exercise & Natural Supplements
When it comes to permanently curing erectile dysfunction, most experts suggest that a holistic natural approach with a healthy diet, exercise, and natural supplements is more likely to bring results than relying solely on synthetic ED drugs.
Some lifestyle changes that can help restore normal erectile function include:
- Quitting smoking
- Reducing alcohol consumption
- Becoming more physically active
- Quitting illicit drug abuse
Just exercise can also bring significant improvement in erectile function, particularly aerobics and pelvic floor exercises. Pelvic floor exercises strengthen the muscles in the pelvic floor – muscles that play a vital part in helping you achieve and maintain an erection.
Conclusion
If you’re experiencing symptoms of erectile dysfunction, the right first step is to consult with your doctor. They’ll assess your symptoms and medical background before recommending the right course of treatment.
If you’re concerned about the side effects associated with synthetic ED drugs such as Viagra and Levitra, all-natural supplements such as Viasil can be used to help you solve your problem.
