Erectile Dysfunction Medications | Types & Side Effects
Scientific research suggests that many men prefer the convenience of tadalafil (generic for Cialis).
| Drug Type | Mechanism of Action | Target Enzyme/Pathway | Typical Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| PDE5 Inhibitors | Inhibit phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme | PDE5 enzyme | Relaxation of penile arteries |
| Testosterone Replacement | Increase testosterone levels | Hormonal pathway | Hormonal deficiency cases |
| Vasodilators | Directly relax smooth muscle | Nitric oxide pathway | Severe cases of ED |
| Melanocortin Agonists | Stimulate melanocortin receptors | Central nervous system | Experimental, limited availability |
In a meta-analysis of numerous studies, couples preferred tadalafil to sildenafil — and it wasn’t very close.3 In one study, nearly 80% of women preferred their sexual partners to use tadalafil, compared to 15% for sildenafil.4 Therefore, the chances are pretty good that tadalafil will be ideal for you, too.
Who shouldn’t take these drugs?
ED is a common condition, and many roads may lead to it, including: Use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs (recreational or prescription) It would be wise to speak with your doctor to rule out any of these potential causes before taking a prescription for ED, as each of those listed ailments can have far-reaching consequences beyond sexual health. Dealing with the greater issue should alleviate most (if not all) ED symptoms, but if it doesn’t, you can still reach for an ED prescription. For example, Dr. Isabel Urdaneta, a urologist and member of our Medical Review Board, tells us: “Prostatitis is a very common cause. Once you eradicate it, the ED will disappear.” It’s always a good idea to talk with a healthcare provider before you embark on an ED treatment journey.
The Best Practice: Treat Erectile Dysfunction with a Urologist
If you hope to use any prescription ED treatments, you’ll have to get the prescription from a doctor who will review your medical history and current health to determine if one of these medicines is suitable for you. But even if a prescription treatment isn’t the best course of action, it’s still wise to consult with a healthcare provider. Because there are many possible causes of ED, your erection difficulties might signal an underlying condition that requires medical attention. Our top recommendations for the best ED treatment include complimentary consultations with a physician who can help you. This is an incredible value for anyone without insurance, for whom a simple doctor’s visit might be prohibitively expensive. Sildenafil (generic for Viagra) is a reliable and long-studied treatment option, as well.
| Product | Dosage | Quantity + Bonus | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levitra Generic | 40mg | 30 + 2 Pills | 93.58€ 89.12€ | |
| Levitra Professional | 20mg | 30 Pills | 119.12€ 113.45€ | |
| Cialis Professional | 20mg | 360 + 6 Pills | 807.03€ 768.60€ | |
| Cialis Original | 20mg | 92 + 4 Pills | 377.99€ 359.99€ | |
| Viagra Super Active | 100mg | 90 + 10 Pills | 165.61€ 157.72€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 5mg | 90 + 6 Pills | 115.91€ 110.39€ | |
| Viagra Oral Jelly | 100mg | 30 + 5 Sachets | 115.76€ 110.25€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 10mg | 360 + 10 Pills | 388.49€ 369.99€ | |
| Kamagra Polo | 100mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 189.39€ 180.37€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 60mg | 90 + 6 Pills | 196.67€ 187.30€ | |
| Cialis Super Active | 20mg | 60 + 8 Pills | 230.32€ 219.35€ | |
| Cialis Original | 20mg | 4 Pills | 41.99€ 39.99€ | |
| Kamagra Polo | 100 mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 189.39€ 180.37€ |
Many doctors recommend and prescribe it to great efficacy. Vardenafil is nearly identical to sildenafil and makes a good choice for the few men who don’t have success with the latter.
Can I Use Insurance?
People fildena professional 100 who take nitrates for cardiovascular conditions may not be suitable candidates for PDE5 inhibitor ED treatments. In this case, you will likely have to pursue alternative ED treatments. A consultation with a doctor will help you determine whether you can safely take ED medications, which can affect blood pressure and interact dangerously with certain heart medications.8 If you already have low blood pressure or are being treated for high blood pressure, there’s a possibility that ED treatments could lead to hypotension, which is a serious risk. The doctor will be able to advise you on safe treatment options. You will need recent blood pressure results to acquire a prescription for PDE5-inhibiting ED medications.
Make an informed decision about your Erectile Dysfunction Treatment
Certain behaviors can make it harder to maintain an erection for men who don’t have ED. These include sleep patterns, stress management, a lack of exercise, and the use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.1 Try to keep track of your sleep, exercise, and other habits for at least a week leading up to your consultation. When it comes to readily available ED medications, you have several options to consider. Believe it or not, nearly all of these medications work by achieving the same effect: they are PDE5 inhibitors (PDE5i), supporting or enhancing the effects of nitric oxide in our bodies. However, they each have specific onset times and durations that may make one a better option for your lifestyle than the others. Ultimately, what works best for you — and what dose you take — depends on what the consulting physician determines is suitable.
- PDE5 inhibitors require sexual arousal to work effectively.
- They are contraindicated with nitrates for chest pain.
- Possible side effects include headaches and flushing.
- These medications do not cause an erection without stimulation.
- Effectiveness varies among individuals tested during clinical trials.
- Consult a doctor before starting any ED medication.
They’ll make that determination based on your medical background, how you tolerate the medication when you begin using it, and your own routines and preferences.
- Medications for ED should be used strictly as prescribed.
- Overuse or misuse of drugs can lead to complications.
- Not all men will respond to the same medication.
- Combining treatments might provide better results.
- Keep medication away from children and pets.
- Always inform your doctor about other health conditions.
You may also have some say in the dose you use to start.
What is the treatment for ED?
Here are some topics that you might discuss during a consultation. ED is a common health condition with many possible underlying causes. One of these potential causes happens to be low testosterone. A testosterone test can help you determine if this is what’s behind your ED. Thankfully, these days, you have the option of testing your testosterone at home without a lab order or waiting in a medical office.
Anxiety and Depression
We recommend you check out the high-quality at-home Testosterone Test from LetsGetChecked, as well as our guide to the best testosterone tests. And if you’re in need of testosterone support, supplements can help; visit our guide to the best testosterone boosters. Psychological factors can contribute to ED and make it difficult for a consulting physician to pinpoint the cause. You should still respond well to ED medications, but if you’ve exhausted possible physical causes, you may want to speak with a counselor to rule out psychological conditions like depression or anxiety.9 Diabetes mellitus can cause ED.7 Thankfully, those with diabetes-induced ED (DMED) tend to respond very well to ED treatments. If you have prediabetes or your family has a history of diabetes, this is something you should bring up in your consultation. BlueChew’s catalog is more expansive than many competitors and also a little more limited in scope than Hims, but it offers competitive long-term prices on some compelling products — including its new flagship product, BlueChew Gold, which is a potent combination treatment that comprises sildenafil, tadalafil, apomorphine, and oxytocin in a single chewable or dissolvable tablet.
About the Reviewer
Over the past two decades, Innerbody Research has helped tens of millions of people make more informed decisions about staying healthy and living healthier lifestyles. Erectile dysfunction (ED) refers to the condition of being unable to get or keep an erection long enough to engage in satisfying sexual activity. You can get an erection but can’t maintain it for a long enough period of time. You can get semi-erect but not fully firm. An erection just won’t happen at all.
Learn More
Erections sometimes lovegra tablet happen, but sometimes they won’t. ED prevalence is much greater than you might think. Various studies indicate that anywhere from one-third to one-half of all men deal with ED at some point.6 And incidences of ED increase steadily with age. There are numerous potential causes of ED. Though it occurs more frequently as men age, it isn’t a condition that’s a natural part of the aging process, nor is it something that men or their partners should just accept or something that should be a source of shame or embarrassment. The fact that you can get a deep discount or even a free trial for some of its treatments using the code INNERBODY is a big part of what makes this the best place to start if you’re wholly new to ED treatments and you want an inexpensive way to see if the most reliable medical approach (PDE5 inhibitors) might help you as much as it has helped many men with ED.
| Supplement | Active Component | Typical Dosage | Effectiveness | Possible Side Effects | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yohimbe | Yohimbine | 5-10 mg daily | Moderate | Anxiety, increased heart rate | Consult doctor before use |
| Panax Ginseng | Ginsenosides | 200-400 mg/day | Varies | Insomnia, headache | May improve libido |
| L-Arginine | Amino acid | 3-6 g/day | Moderate | Gastrointestinal issues | Usually safe when used short-term |
| Horny Goat Weed | Icariin | 300-600 mg/day | Anecdotal | Dizziness, dry mouth | Use with caution |
Wherever you start, it’s important to remember that these medications don’t automatically give you an erection.
What Tests Will a Urologist Do if I Have ED?
Aside from underlying health considerations, everything from price to how you take a medication can affect your decision. But we're here to demystify ED and your treatment options. To help you out, we’ve reviewed the major online providers and treatments and analyzed a large swath of relevant scientific research. In this guide, we’ll break down all of your best options. First, to orient you to this landscape, here is a roadmap that breaks down the diverse treatment paths you might take and our characterization of their merits.
Can younger men use erectile dysfunction medications safely?
Most likely to help: Prescription PDE5i medication like sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), etc. Next most likely to help: Mental health care Best in-office treatment alternative to prescription: Shockwave therapy Best OTC budget options to try: ED rings and/or certain supplements And now, for those in a hurry, here’s a quick snapshot of our specific recommendations across that roadmap. Best for trying an ED medication: BlueChew Best overall for daily ED meds: Hims Best if you know you need sildenafil (generic Viagra): Rocket Rx Best mental health care resource for ED: Cerebral Best OTC supplement: Testosterone Support by Innerbody Labs Best at-home device to try: ED rings If you’re new to ED treatments, there’s simply no more affordable, convenient, or discreet place to start. That’s because BlueChew has an effective selection of PDE5 inhibitors and offers $25 off most prescription treatment plans (or 10% off Gold). This translates to a steep discount on your first month or effectively a free trial of an ED medication (minus a $5 shipping fee). Appropriate sexual stimulation is still required; PDE5 inhibitors merely create the physiological conditions for arousal to cause an erection.
- Lifestyle changes can improve ED symptoms significantly.
- Regular exercise boosts blood flow and sexual health.
- Quitting smoking enhances erectile function.
- Limiting alcohol intake can prevent worsening ED.
- Maintaining a healthy weight reduces risk factors.
- Managing stress improves overall sexual performance.
And the best place to start treatment is not necessarily the best place to continue it over the long haul.
Diagnosis and Tests
It’s a great way to discover if a prescription PDE5 inhibitor works as well for you as it does for many men. There are other platforms that could suit you better over the long haul once you know what works best — such as Hims for daily tadalafil, or Rocket RX for sildenafil. Read on for all of those comparative details. At Innerbody Research, we extensively test each health service we review, including ED medication services, whenever possible. All told, our team has collectively spent over 1,300 hours researching ED, its potential treatments, and the companies offering them.
COVID-19 and Erectile Dysfunction: Fact or Fiction?
Our team has considered over 187 clinical studies related to ED and its treatments. We’ve heard from men who rely on them and those whose partners require them. To get as clear a picture of the market landscape as possible, we’ve completed the consultation and ordering process for all of the top online ED medication providers. This guide was also scrutinized by members of our Medical Review Board for accuracy. We’ll continue to monitor developments among these providers and in the broader landscape of ED treatment.