Erectile Dysfunction Treatment
Erectile Dysfunction, or ED, is a condition of a male’s penis that prevents it from getting an erection from sexual intercourse. However, many male patients get this condition from many pre existing health problems. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or the NCCAM, released that ED affects nearly 30 million males in the United States alone. In most patients, certain drugs can single handedly treat the condition. Below, is a list of different antibiotics used to treat ED and what side effects you may get, as well as what other treatments your doctor might prescribe you.
Erectile Dysfunction Pills
Many drugs are used to help treat ED, but many of them work differently since everyone can respond differently to certain medicine. However, each and every drug works towards the one goal of restoring blood flow to the penis for sexual stimulation.
Unfortunately, certain types of health issues may make you unsuitable to undertake medication to treat ED. It is always important to let your doctor know about any and all health conditions such as heart disease, so you can be advised on your best and safest treatment plan.
For your convenience we have linked to all erectile dysfunction drugs and lowest prices (shown below) within our database so you can quickly compare and find the lowest prices on the most popular erectile dysfunction medication.
Alprostadil Injection
A solution injection treatment for ED is alprostadil (generic); other brand names include: Caverject, Edex and Muse.
To use it correctly, you will need to inject it into your penis directly before sex. This method can be used as many times as you have sex, but only up to three times every week. The most common side effect is slight redness and irritation where you injected the drug on the penis.
Avanafil Tablets
An easier oral treatment to take is generic avanafil; brand name is Stendra. It can only be used once a day and always to be taken 15 minutes before sexual activity. It’s important to let your doctor know what drugs you are already taking since Nitrate can cause low blood pressure and sometimes death.
Possible side effects include:
- Headaches
- Hearing changes
- Reduced blood pressure
- Face becoming more red and warm, a flushed look
- Vision changes, possible blurry vision, changes in red and green colors, and seeing halos
Sildenafil
Generic sildenafil (brand names: Revatio, Viagra) is an oral treatment in the shape of a tablet that can be used once a day, at least an hour before sexual intercourse.
Possible side effects include:
- Flushed look
- Stomach aches
- Changes in vision
Tadalafil
Generic tadalafil (Brand names: Adcirca, Cialis) oral drug treatment that not only increases blood flow to the penis but throughout the entire body. The drug is to be used 30 minutes before sexual sex and lasts for up to 48 hours.
Possible side effects include:
- Nausea
- Flushed look
- Stomach aches
- Changes in vision
- Prone to headaches
Testosterone
Primarily the main sexual hormone is Testosterone. Not only is it featured in your well-being, but it can change levels with age which may lead to ED. Testosterone comes with much more risk than any other prescribed risk such as heart attacks or strokes. The Food and Drug Administration even says that only men with low testosterone should use this drug.
If you decide to use it, be sure to have a daily log while your doctor monitors you. While they may be adding testosterone to your body, they will also be checking your testosterone levels to see how much more to give you. If your testosterone levels start getting too high, your treatment plan will cease and most of the time your ED will be cured.
Possible side effects include:
- Sleep apnea
- Increase in acne
- Change in mood
- Breast or prostate growth
- Swelling from fluid retention
Testosterone is available for treatment in many different forms. They are available in common brand names and generic forms. Here are a few of the most prevalent forms and brand names.
- Generic: testosterone nasal Brand: Natesto
- Generic:testosterone topical Brands: Androderm, AndroGel, Axiron, FIRST-Testosterone, Fortesta, Testim
- Generic: methyltestosterone Brands: Android, Testred
- Generic: testosterone Brand: Testopel
- Generic: testosterone buccal Brand: Striant
- Generic: testosterone injection Brands: Aveed, Delatestryl, Depo-Testosterone, Testosterone Cypionate, Testosterone Enanthate
Vardenafil
This is another oral medication prescribed for erectile dysfunction. Popular brand names of vardenafil include Levitra and Staxyn. These pills must be taken at least an hour prior to sex. Talk to your doctor for dosage specifics, but generally, these pills are safe to take once a day.
Common side effects of Vardenafil include:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Headaches
Supplements and Vitamins
Many vitamins and supplements claim to ease the symptoms of erectile dysfunction. These so-called miracle vitamins say they can increase sexual function, liveliness, and energy. Despite all their claims, these vitamins and supplements are not an effective method of treating ED. On top of that, they can also be quite unsafe. They are often falsely marketed; they claim to be “natural” supplements, but in reality, they contain chemicals and drugs. They can also interact badly with the other medications that you are prescribed. Additionally, these supplements and vitamins are not without their own sets of side effects. Before you decide to self-prescribe with supplements or vitamins, consult with your doctor.
Before you take ED medications
If you have erectile dysfunction, you may not need to take any medication. Speak with your doctor if you start to exhibit any of the symptoms of ED. Your doctor will be able to perform a full physical examination. There are a number of other conditions that may be causing your ED. These conditions may include high blood pressure, diabetes, or something else. Treating the primary condition may help to improve any and all symptoms of ED.
Erectile dysfunction is also a side effect of some common medications. These medications may include those used to treat:
- Seizures
- Depression
- Heart disease
- All types of cancer
- High blood pressure
If you have any concerns about the medications you are taking, your doctor can help. They can suggest some medication changes that may improve the symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
Changes in Lifestyle
Your lifestyle choices can have a huge effect on your erectile dysfunction. Bad habits can negatively impact pre-existing symptoms and cause new ones. Conversely, picking up new, healthy habits can improve symptoms. Here are a few lifestyle changes that can help the symptoms of erectile dysfunction:
- Work out on a regular basis
- Diet and maintain a healthy weight
- Minimize your consumption of alcoholic beverages
- Cut down on the cigarettes or avoid smoking altogether
Talk to Your Doctor
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of erectile dysfunction, speak with your doctor. This condition is often a side effect of other health issues and medications. Your doctor can determine if your ED is caused by something else and can offer treatment or a change in medication.
If your ED is not brought on by another condition or medication, there are many treatment options. They are available in various forms, operate in different ways, and all come with their own side effects. With the help of your doctor, you can find the most effective medication to treat your erectile dysfunction.