It can be easy to rush straight into medication, but sometimes lifestyle changes can be effective. Keep reading as we discuss the root causes of ED and explore how popular medications such as Viagra and Cialis work, including key differences. And, if you're finding your current ED medication isn't effective enough, we’ll look at what to do next.
Men suffering from ED are either unable to achieve an erection, or unable to sustain an erection for a sufficiently long period of time.
Everyday factors like stress, tiredness and excess alcohol consumption or smoking can all have a negative impact on erectile function. It’s normal to experience occasional difficulties, however, if this starts to become a recurring problem, it’s usually a sign of an underlying condition, and a visit to your GP should be considered.
In many cases, lifestyle interventions are effective in producing an improvement and resolving the majority of ED challenges. Medication for ED can also be provided under the guidance of a healthcare professional, and this is proven to be safe and effective for the majority of people.
However, some men don’t respond to medications such as Viagra and Cialis. This can be due to a number of factors; such as underlying medication conditions, other physiological factors, or the presence of medications that interfere with the effectiveness of oral ED medications.
So, what can you do if lifestyle interventions and ED medications are still not enough? If the thought of combining multiple medications such as Viagra or Cialis has crossed your mind - in the hope of achieving a better effect- stop and read on. We’ll look at how these medications work, and what to do if you’re finding their effectiveness to be insufficient.
Let’s take a closer look at the two most popular ED medications - Viagra and Cialis - also known by their generic names sildenafil and tadalafil. Interestingly, sildenafil was originally developed to treat angina. Its effectiveness on ED was discovered during clinical trials, and ultimately led to the first oral medication approved for the treatment of ED.
Both drugs belong to a class of medications called PDE5 inhibitors. As the name suggests, both drugs work by inhibiting the PDE5 enzyme, which relaxes blood vessels and increases blood flow.
This effect occurs in specific areas of the body, primarily in regions such as the penis and lungs. Blood vessels in other parts of the body can be affected, although to a lesser extent.
Keep in mind that, like most other medications, sildenafil and tadalafil come with side effects, which can include:
Though Viagra and Cialis are prescribed for the same purpose, there are several differences between the two medications.
While some research suggests that combining PDE5 inhibitors can result in enhanced effectiveness in certain groups of men, it’s crucial to acknowledge that attempting to combine these medications without the guidance of your healthcare professional is not recommended at all.
Doing so increases the risk of adverse effects and can lead to serious complications.
If you’re currently prescribed Viagra or Cialis and you are still experiencing ED, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They can explore options such as adjusting the dosage or considering alternative ED medications like alprostadil.
Remember, and never combine ED medication without speaking to a healthcare professional.
Read more in this handy NHS guide: Erectile dysfunction (impotence), Sildenafil (Viagra).
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