Comparing Popular Brands for Erectile Dysfunction

(2018, May 18). A New Perspective on the Nitrate–Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitor Interaction.

• Viagra (sildenafil): Most common ED pill, effective within 30-60 mins, lasts 4-6 hours, requires prescription.
• Cialis (tadalafil): Long-lasting, up to 36 hours, can be taken daily, suitable for frequent use.
• Levitra (vardenafil): Similar to Viagra, effective within 30-60 mins, lasts about 4-5 hours.
• Stendra (avanafil): Fast-acting, effective within 15 mins, fewer side effects, prescription required.
• Staxyn (vardenafil ODT): Dissolves on tongue, quick onset, similar to Levitra, no water needed.
• Vidalista (tadalafil): Suitable for daily use, longer duration, used for BPH as well.
• Kamagra: Generic sildenafil, similar effects to Viagra, caution advised due to unregulated sources.
• Spedra (avanafil): Rapid onset, good for spontaneous sex, fewer side effects.
• Cenforce: Popular generic sildenafil, similar effects, often more affordable.
• Tadalafil Daily: For consistent erectile function, taken once daily in lower doses.
• Sildenafil Chewable: Faster absorption, convenient for those who have trouble swallowing pills.
• Herbal Supplements (e.g., Horny Goat Weed): Natural alternative, limited scientific evidence, consult doctor first.

Impotence and its medical and psychosocial correlates: results of the Massachusetts Male Aging Study.

Side effects

The biggest fault of penis pumps is that they can be a pain to use, both literally and figuratively (he vacuum pressure can be uncomfortable). Some brands, like Bathmate, are designed to be used with water in the chamber, which softens the experience. But these necessitate a shower or a bath that can get in the way of foreplay and slow down a passionate moment. Prescription ED medications are safe and effective ways for most men to treat ED. However, not all men want to take prescription medication, and some men cannot take PDE5 medicine safely.

Which Medication Will Work Best for My ED?

Based on our research, we believe you may find an effective treatment for very mild cases of ED using a nutritional supplement. As with any medication or supplement, it’s important to discuss this with your primary care provider to make sure there’s nothing in your medical history that might make these alternative treatments unsafe for you. Nutritional supplements don’t work as strongly as prescription ED medications, based on clinical research. Research is still less thorough for supplement ingredients, which makes it harder to assess reliability and safety for everyone. They also typically come in only one dose, so the efficacy can be wildly different in men with disparate BMIs and metabolisms.

Cost of erectile dysfunction pills

And from a cost standpoint, supplements are often much more expensive than prescriptions, especially considering generic options. Still, if your ED isn’t too severe, you’re determined to avoid getting a prescription for it, or you aren’t a viable candidate for prescription medication, these alternatives may be sufficient. Some companies tailor their supplements to target ED and increase sex drive and performance. Others may aim to boost testosterone or specifically increase the volume of ejaculate, often concurrently improving fertility. There’s a bit of ingredient crossover from one category to the next, so you can pick your preferred supplement based on your most pressing concerns, and you very well may see benefits elsewhere in your sexual health, as well. The Journal of Urology, 151(1), 54–61. Efficacy and safety of PDE5 inhibitors in the treatment of diabetes mellitus erectile dysfunction: Protocol for a systematic review.

Erectile dysfunction and mental health in a general population of older men.

Getting hard 101: your penis needs a healthy blood flow to achieve an erection. This can be more difficult after prostate cancer, but erectile dysfunction (ED) pills can help. By relaxing smooth muscle, ED pills make it easier for blood to flow into the penis. You may already be familiar with the names of some better known erection pills like Viagra, Cialis, Levitra and Stendra. But what should you know before giving them a try? And if you do use ED pills after prostate cancer treatment, how can you make sure you get the most out of them? We’ve got everything you need to know.

Under normal circumstances, it plays a role in nitric oxide production, which in turn plays a crucial role in allowing blood to rush into the penis to cause an erection. In one study, a third of men reported that they experienced significant improvement in sexual function while using L-arginine.19 A separate study of men ages 25-45 examined the effect of taking both L-arginine and pycnogenol (chemicals taken from French pine trees) together for ED treatment.20 Participants were given L-arginine for one month; nothing happened. Then the men were given both L-arginine and pycnogenol for a month. After this second month, 80% of the men reported that their sexual function was mostly restored. Using this same combination for a third month, over 92% of the men had what they considered normal erections.

Can you use baking soda for erectile dysfunction treatment?

While erection-specific research has only been conducted in animals, horny goat weed is among the most popular herbal remedies for ED. As with maca, we recommend extracts over powders and advise men to focus on the icariin content of the extract over raw dose numbers.45 Panax ginseng (red ginseng) is sometimes called “herbal Viagra.” There have been more than a handful of studies providing evidence that Panax ginseng can help with ED. However, the studies leave a fair bit to be desired in their methodologies and size.21 The evidence thus far points to the need for more research into the potential of red ginseng as an effective treatment. DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a precursor to the sex hormones testosterone and estrogen that our body’s adrenal glands typically produce. Production of DHEA naturally drops as we age.

PDE5 Inhibitors

Several studies on diabetics have uncovered an inverse relationship between serum DHEA levels and the incidence of ED.22 Those results suggest that possibly a third of men with diabetes-related ED could treat their ED using DHEA. The World Anti-Doping Agency and many collegiate and international competitive organizations have banned DHEA as a performance-enhancing drug. The quantities you’ll encounter in male enhancement supplements aren’t likely to help you break any home run records, but they could still show up on mandatory drug tests. You might also find that DHEA raises your cholesterol levels, so if you have high cholesterol levels already, DHEA might not be the right choice. CBD is also a popular ingredient for erectile performance, especially if anxiety and psychogenic ED are at issue, and some of our favorite CBD companies have introduced sex-focused products that include some of these ingredients. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 6(2), 505–512.

Erectile Dysfunction Treatment FAQs

Here’s a quick look at the three main categories of complex nutritional supplements that might help with ED: Male enhancement pills have the closest link to ED of the bunch, with ingredients that typically try to improve blood flow and relax the musculature of the corpus cavernosa (the chambers of the penis that fill with vardenafil cost blood to create an erection). These can include L-arginine or maca root.19 38 Some other ingredients are there to improve libido or reduce anxiety, the latter of which might help with psychogenic ED. A few ingredients in these supplements may also work to increase testosterone levels or ejaculate volume. Testosterone boosters may help with ED if low testosterone is at the source. Some prominent testosterone boosters, like tongkat ali and ashwagandha, also have anti-anxiety effects, which might help with cases of psychogenic ED, regardless of testosterone levels.39 40 And because erectile performance often suffers with low testosterone, some brands will include erection-supporting ingredients in their testosterone boosters, even when there’s less evidence connecting them with testosterone.

The Fast Facts

A great example of this is the potent maca extract in Innerbody Testosterone Support and Roman’s supplement. Volume pills often better resemble fertility supplements than ED solutions. In fact, our top-rated volume pill is a male fertility supplement by Bird & Be. Again, some ingredient crossover means you can find volume pills that have beneficial potential for ED. It would be understandable if you wanted to try a single supplemental fildena 200 mg ingredient as opposed to a complex formula.

Follow a healthy eating plan

With the exception of a few great products out there, many such complex supplements include a few iffy ingredients or subclinical doses that call their potential safety and efficacy into question. And even with a good complex supplement, you won’t know which of its ingredients are working for you, in particular, and which may not be. Here’s a quick look at some popular single-ingredient supplements people look to for help with ED. Not all of the items on this list are home runs, but their prevalence in the marketplace demands that we address them: Studies using high doses of maca root powder have illustrated its ability to improve erectile performance.43 But maca isn't always well-absorbed, so extracts made from the powder are superior to consuming 10g of the dried and ground root. L-Arginine is an amino acid we naturally have within our bodies. Clinical safety of oral sildenafil citrate (VIAGRATM) in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

• Age Consideration: ED pills are generally safe for older men but require medical evaluation.
• Diabetes Management: Tight blood sugar control can improve ED; some pills like vardenafil may be preferred.
• Post-Prostatectomy ED: Pills, injections, or devices may be used; nerve-sparing surgery improves outcomes.
• Cycling & ED: Avoid prolonged pressure on perineum; proper bike fit can prevent vascular/nerve issues.
• Priapism Warning: Seek immediate help for erection lasting >4 hours, a rare but serious side effect.

International Journal of Impotence Research, 10, 69–730. Tadalafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction; an overview of the clinical evidence. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 1(4), 439-449.

• Psychological ED: Pills can break cycle of anxiety, but therapy is cornerstone for purely psychological causes.
• Relationship Factors: Addressing relationship issues with a partner can significantly improve sexual function.
• Patience and Realistic Expectations: First dose may not work perfectly; sexual stimulation is always required.
• Regular Re-evaluation: ED treatment needs may change over time; discuss with doctor periodically.
• Holistic Approach: Best results often combine medication, lifestyle changes, and psychological health.

Comparison of clinical trials with sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil in erectile dysfunction.

How effective are Viagra, Cialis, vardenafil, and Stendra?

C. (2008). Tadalafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management, 4(6), 1315-1330. Kloner, R.A., Goggin, P., Goldstein, I., Hackett, G., Kirby, M.G., Osterloh, I., Parker, J.D., Sadovsky, R. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, 6(1), 75–84. Vardenafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction: an overview of the clinical evidence.

What should I do if I want to try erectile dysfunction pills?

One Patient Out of Four with Newly Diagnosed Erectile Dysfunction Is a Young Man—Worrisome Picture from the Everyday Clinical Practice. Direct comparison of tadalafil with sildenafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Urology and Nephrology, 49(10), 1731-1740. Coward, R. M., & Carson, C. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 4, 463-472. Avanafil for treatment of erectile dysfunction: review of its potential. Vascular Health and Risk Management, 8, 517-523.

Use caution with unproven ED treatments

Among these gummies, Neurogan’s Pure Intimacy is an easy top pick, as it combines an effective dose of CBD with both maca root and horny goat weed. Side effects with all of the supplements mentioned here tend to be mild, if any occur. Most men don’t experience any, but it’s always wise to share your supplement plans with your healthcare provider before adding anything new to your regimen. Notably, men who take medications for cardiovascular problems may not be suitable candidates for ED supplements. Most of the supplements you can use to combat ED are more expensive than generic drugs.

Reduce stress

You also have to take them every day for them to be effective, unlike certain ED meds that you can take as needed. Ultimately, the choice between a prescription ED treatment and a supplement comes down to budget and lifestyle, and the choice is yours to make. Innerbody uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Physical Activity to Improve Erectile Function: A Systematic Review of Intervention Studies.

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