Alternative medicine (1)
- Erectile dysfunction herbs: A natural treatment for ED?
Causes (1)
- Male hypogonadism
Complications (1)
- Erectile dysfunction: A sign of heart disease?
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- Senior sex: Tips for older men
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Treatments and drugs (5)
- Erectile dysfunction and diabetes: Take control today
- Erectile dysfunction: Viagra and other oral medications
- Erectile dysfunction herbs: A natural treatment for ED?
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Erectile dysfunction: Viagra and other oral medications
Common side effects
Viagra, Levitra and Cialis don't usually cause severe side effects. Some men have reported headache, flushing, indigestion, and a stuffy or runny nose after taking Viagra, Cialis or Levitra. Men taking Levitra have also reported back pain and muscle aches. In some men, Viagra caused temporary vision changes, such as "blue" vision.
Rare but serious side effects
In a small number of cases, men taking Viagra, Levitra or Cialis have reported:
- Vision loss. A few men using Viagra, Levitra and Cialis have had permanent vision loss due to a condition called nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). However, it's unclear whether the drug — or an underlying condition — caused blindness. If you have a retinal disorder, such as diabetic retinopathy, see your eye doctor before taking any medication for erectile dysfunction.
- Sudden hearing loss. Some men have reported hearing loss after taking Viagra, Levitra and Cialis. However, it isn't clear whether the hearing loss was directly caused by taking these medications. If you're taking one of these medications for erectile dysfunction and have sudden loss of hearing, don't take any more of the medication and seek medical help right away.
- An erection that doesn't subside on its own. Called priapism, this rare condition can be painful and requires medical treatment to avoid damage to your penis. If you have an erection that lasts more than four hours, see your doctor.
Erectile dysfunction: Don't ignore underlying cause
Taking Viagra, Levitra or Cialis without treating the original problem may improve sexual performance, but don't ignore an underlying issue by just taking pills to treat the symptom of another health issue. Getting proper treatment for the underlying cause of erectile dysfunction may help you prevent related health problems and improve sexual performance. A number of conditions can cause or worsen erectile dysfunction:
- Heart disease. In some cases, erectile dysfunction is the first sign of serious heart or blood vessel problems such as hardened arteries (atherosclerosis).
- Diabetes. Over time, uncontrolled diabetes can damage blood vessels and nerves, making it more difficult to get or keep an erection.
- Psychological issues. Depression or anxiety can cause sexual problems and often requires psychological counseling or medications to get better.
- Being overweight. Being overweight or obese can cause or worsen erectile dysfunction because of hormonal changes and related cardiovascular issues. Increased physical activity and losing weight can improve your overall health and sexual function.
- Low testosterone. Men who have low testosterone levels (hypogonadism) may need testosterone replacement therapy to increase sex drive and sexual performance.
- Lifestyle choices. Unhealthy habits such as drinking too much alcohol, smoking, using illegal drugs and a sedentary lifestyle can all worsen erectile dysfunction.
Cost
Viagra, Cialis and Levitra may not be covered by your insurance, and can be expensive. These medications are generally not covered by Medicare. Depending on the dose, quantity you purchase and the pharmacy, prices for Viagra, Levitra and Cialis range from $10 to $20 a pill.
Purchasing Viagra, Levitra or Cialis online
As with other prescription drugs, erectile dysfunction medications can be purchased over the Internet. But be careful. Products for erectile dysfunction are big business, and online scams abound. If you do purchase Viagra, Levitra or Cialis over the Internet:
- Double-check to make sure the online pharmacy is a licensed business. In the United States, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy can tell you whether an online pharmacy is licensed and in good standing.
- Make sure the medications you order are the exact dose and type prescribed by your doctor, and be careful of counterfeit drugs. Be suspicious if there's no way to contact the Web site pharmacy by phone, if prices seem too good to be true or if you're told no prescription is necessary.
- Never take any medications that claim to be the "herbal" or nonprescription equivalent of Viagra, Levitra or Cialis. These aren't an effective replacement for prescription medications, and may contain harmful substances.
Realistic expectations
Occasional erectile dysfunction is a common problem, particularly as men age. Medication won't make you feel like you're 20 again, but it can help you achieve satisfying sexual relations more often. Be willing to work with your doctor to find which medication and dosage is best for you. For some men, Viagra, Levitra or Cialis aren't a safe or effective choice, but other treatment options for erectile dysfunction may work. These include medications that are injected into the penis or put into the urethra (penis opening) before sex, penis pumps (vacuum constriction devices), and penile implants.
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