Instead of relying on a pill to obtain an erection, there are other methods that are both nonsurgical and long lasting. If you have a testosterone or growth hormone deficiency, thyroid issue or other hormone imbalance, we formulate a plan to correct them as part of addressing your low libido or Erectile Dysfunction. We also take a deep look into your lifestyle and read every line of the questionnaires all new patients are required to fill out. Part of the screening we recommend involves a comprehensive laboratory and exam. Cardiovascular health is a top priority in screening for erectile dysfunction. Having a thorough medical examination by a qualified physician is the first step in seeing if oral ED medications are right for you. With the unknown risks associated with OTC treatments, we strongly advise you do not experiment with them – even if you have taken a prescription ED treatment in the past. The right way to treat Erectile DysfunctionĪre you a candidate for oral ED treatments? Have directions and warnings that mimic FDA-approved products.Have labels written primarily in a foreign language.Advertise via spam or unsolicited emails.Are advertised as alternatives to FDA-approved prescription drugs.Promise quick results (within 30 to 40 minutes).The amounts of these ingredients are often undisclosed and can pose risk of interaction with other medications as well as raise blood pressure and heart rate to unsafe levels.īeware of Male Enhancement products that: Some herbal sexual supplements also contain ingredients such as saw palmetto, ginseng, yohimbine and horny goat weed. Other dangers include undisclosed amounts of the active ingredient (sildenafil or sulfoaildenafil), which in high amounts can lead to a permanent, painful erection, damaging the penile tissues. Men with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates. This interaction may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Both drugs are used to treat Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and pose the risk of interaction with nitrates found in some prescription drugs such as nitroglycerin. The trouble is, the source of sildenafil in these OTC supplements is often from an overseas laboratory and not from an FDA approved facility. Some even contain sildenafil, which is FDA approved and the active ingredient in the prescription drug Viagra. Many over the counter supplements contain non FDA approved sulfoaildenafil, a compound structurally similar to sildenafil. Use of such products exposes consumers to unpredictable risk and the potential for injury or even death.” The FDA warns: “Sexual enhancement products that claim to work as well as prescription products are likely to contain a contaminant.
Viagra works by maintaining the level of cGMP in the smooth muscle cells, allowing more blood into the penis. Another result is that the erectile tissue itself fills with blood. One result of increased nitric oxide is that the arteries in your penis dilate and the blood can flow into your penis more easily. To have great sex you need abundant energy, high aerobic capacity, strength, stamina, mobility, health and above all: blood flow. Related: If the blood doesn’t flow, the sex is a no go! The result: Firmer, longer lasting erections. This increased cGMP allows extra blood flow to the penis. Sildenafil selectively blocks PDE-5, allowing the erection enhancing cGMP to remain longer and not be broken down.
The nitric oxide stimulates an enzyme that produces something known as a messenger cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), relaxing the smooth muscle cells. This is because sexual stimulation sends a signal to the brain to trigger a release of nitric oxide (NO) in the tissues of the penis.
While they do not cause arousal, they do work when sexual arousal is achieved. How do PDE-5 inhibitors like Viagra work?Ī common misconception is ED medications cause a man to be sexually aroused.