26/11/2019
How Do Erectile Dysfunction Drugs Work?
The class of drugs that Levitra, Vi**ra, Stendra, and Cialis belong to are called PDE5 inhibitors. They work by relaxing tight blood vessels, allowing more blood to surge into the p***s and cause an er****on, says Gregory Bales, M.D., an associate professor of urology at the University of Chicago.
The little pills do the trick for more than two-thirds of men with erectile dysfunction (ED). They also work for guys who simply need them for a short time to get their “confidence back,” says Michael Eisenberg, M.D., director of male reproductive medicine and surgery at Stanford University.
(To determine whether you have ED—and for step-by-step instructions on how to fix it with or without medicine—check out The Men’s Health Guide To Erectile Dysfunction.)
ED drugs also reduce the recovery period between bouts of s*x, which can be helpful for the 40 percent of men who suffer from premature ej*******on and come in 1 to 2 minutes, says Harry Fisch, M.D., clinical professor of urology and reproductive medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College/New York Presbyterian Hospital, and author of Size Matters.
“Even if it is premature [the second time], at least it’s another 2 minutes. You can have overall more er****ons.”
Related: How to Last Longer In Bed
And guys who take the long-acting Cialis, particularly if they get the daily dose, can have them with more spontaneity, says Dr. Fisch. “You don’t have to take a pill two hours before you have s*x.”
What Are the Side Effects Of Erectile Dysfunction Drugs?
No drug is without side effects. Vi**ra, Cialis, Stendra, and Levitra may cause headaches, dizziness, facial flushing, a runny nose, and indigestion.
Related: 7 Highly Effective Headache Cures
But many men either don’t experience side effects or don’t mind them.
“If you have real erectile dysfunction,” Dr. Fisch says, “you’ll put up with nasal congestion.”
To decrease the risk of potential side effects, take the lowest dose that works for you. Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose, and then up it until it works.
And don’t worry about jonesing for your Vi**ra.
“These drugs are not addictive,” Dr. Eisenberg says. “You’re not going to form dependency.”
What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
The big culprits to blame for erectile dysfunction: heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.
With these diseases, vessels are constricting rather than opening to let blood flow to extremities, such as the p***s, says Dr. Fisch.
In fact, men with severe erectile dysfunction are 35 percent more likely to be hospitalized for cardiovascular disease in a 2-year period compared to men without er****on issues, according to a study released January 29 in PLOS Medicine.
Related: 100 Ways to Protect Your Heart
How to Strengthen Your Er****on Without Drugs
“Nobody has to be impotent,” says Dr. Bales. “There’s always a way.”
The easiest ones:
Throw out your ci******es.
“It affects the ability of the vessels to relax,” which is necessary for an er****on, says Kevin T. McVary, M.D., chairman of urology at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. “Stopping smoking is better than any ED drug,” says Dr. Bales.
Related: 5 Proven Strategies to Quit Smoking Now
Lose weight.
Do anything you can to lower your blood pressure.