What is the best treatment for erectile dysfunction?

With so many treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED) these days, it’s hard to know which one might be best for you. Even though there are many treatments available, they are not always suitable for everyone.

Most ED treatments work by increasing the blood flow to the penis resulting in an erection substantial for sexual activity. 

To establish which medicine is the right one for you to help maintain an erection, you need to do your research. To save you time, we have written this article to help you get a better understanding of the medicines so you can decide which might be right for you.

To work out what medicine you require, you should answer these questions first:

How often will you need it?

Knowing roughly how often you will need ED medicines is very useful as this will narrow down your search immediately. There are ultimately two types of treatment, the when-needed treatment or the daily treatment.

For individuals with frequent erectile dysfunction who engage in sexual activity two to three times weekly, once-daily Tadalafil tablets are the recommended treatment option.

Tadalafil 2.5mg & 5mg tablets (Tadalafil Daily) at a lower strength should be taken once daily. It's important to take them daily, regardless of whether sexual activity is planned for that day.

By taking Tadalafil consistently, a small amount remains in your system, ensuring that it is continuously effective. Consequently, you'll achieve erections whenever you are sexually stimulated, regardless of the time of day or night.

To learn more about daily Tadalafil usage, consult our comprehensive article.

Please note: If you're initiating the use of low-dose daily Tadalafil, be aware that it may take up to two weeks to become effective.

If you have sex less than 2 times per week, an as-and-when-needed medicine should be sufficient. Examples of these include Tadalafil tablets, Sildenafil tablets and Vardenafil tablets. 

How often do you engage in spontaneous sexual activity?

You should determine the length of time that you need the medicine to start working. As mentioned above, with Tadalafil daily in your system, you should experience an erection straight away (with sexual stimulation). 

Sildenafil (Viagra), Tadalafil (Cialis) and Vardenafil (Levitra) tablets can take anywhere between 30 - 60 minutes to work.

Do you often have sex more than once in 24 hours?

If you only plan on having sex once in 24 hours, Sildenafil, Tadalafil and Vardenafil tablets should all work. But you should consider the length of time each of them works if you plan to have sex more than once in 24 hours. 

Sildenafil effects last up to 4 hours. 

Vardenafil tablet's effects last between 4 and 5 hours. 

Tadalafil tablet's effects work for up to 36 hours, making it a great choice for those who plan to have sexual intercourse more than once in 24 hours. 

Do you have any underlying health conditions?

It is important to report any underlying health conditions to your doctor before trying erectile dysfunction medication. Some medicines may not be suitable for use alongside your medical condition, therefore, we also recommend that you read the patient information leaflets for these medicines. 

For example:

Sometimes ED medicines can be unsafe to use if;

• You have liver or kidney problems
• You have sickle-cell disease, multiple myeloma, or leukaemia
• You have a stomach ulcer You have low blood pressure
• You have uncontrolled high blood pressure
• You use poppers
• You have angina or have ever been given a spray that goes under your tongue to help chest pain
• You have had a heart attack or stroke within the last three months
• You have a condition called Peyronie’s or your penis has a bend when erect
• You, or anyone in your family, has a history of eye disease, including retinitis pigmentosa or non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION)

Do you know the cause of your ED?

Even though there are medicines available to help treat erectile dysfunction, you should establish the root cause of your condition. Many lifestyle choices can be attributed to erectile dysfunction such as smoking, being overweight, stress and drinking.

We always suggest trying to fix the issue naturally (if possible) before taking medicines.

If you think that your lifestyle choices may cause your ED, you should read our dedicated article on the natural ways to overcome erectile dysfunction.

What form of treatment is more suitable for you?

While tablets are the most convenient option for some, others may not want to or can’t take tablets, and if this is the case, there are other forms of ED treatments to use. Such as injections, including Caverject and Viridal. They contain the active ingredient Alprostadil and are required to be injected into the penis to produce an erection. However, before ordering, you must have been trained by a doctor or specialist on how to use this product. 

While injections are a great ED tablet alternative, this isn’t always the most comfortable way to treat erectile dysfunction. You may want to consider trying the prescription-strength Muse pellets, which come in the form of a urethral applicator inserted into the penis. Or even the easy-to-apply Vitaros cream, which is applied externally to the tip of your penis. 

Recently introduced to the ED market is a product called Eroxon Stimgel. It is available without a prescription and easy to apply. In clinical trials, approximately 60% of men successfully get an erection with Eroxon gel. However, over-the-counter ED treatments can offer less variety and be more costly than prescription-strength treatments.

Have you tried any ED medicines before?

If you have tried certain ED pills and they haven’t worked, don’t be disheartened, as they are not one size fits all. This means that you may need to try a few different treatments before finding the right one for you. 

For those who haven’t tried any treatments or those who are still unsure, at Oxford Online Pharmacy you can purchase an ED starter pack, which consists of Sildenafil, Tadalafil and Vardenafil tablets.

Are you taking any other medicines?

Sometimes, medicines interact with others, which is why it is important to report any current medicines to your doctor or pharmacist before taking a new medicine. 

You should read the patient information leaflet, which provides information on medicines that should be taken alongside the new ED medicine. 

For example, Sildenafil reacts with Nitrates, which are used by people with heart conditions, and they shouldn't be taken together. These are usually tablets or capsules called Isosorbide Mononitrate or Nicorandil (a medicine very similar to a nitrate) but can be called by other names.1

Are you allergic to any medicines?

You should always check if you are allergic to any ingredients in the medicine and read the full list of ingredients in the patient information leaflet to prevent an adverse reaction.

Best medicine for erectile dysfunction without side effects

All medicines can carry the risk of related side effects, although, not everybody gets them. If this is something you are concerned about, you may want to choose less medicated treatments, such as Eroxon Stimgel. With it being a topical treatment, this medicine is less likely to cause systematic side effects and has a much shorter list of reported side effects with its use. 

Another option is a penis pump, available at oxford online pharmacy, the Osbon penis pump is a great non-medicated alternative if you are looking to prevent unwanted side effects.

To conclude

With the wide range of ED products, we are sure there is something for everyone who requires a helping hand with their conditions. Whether it's an everyday tablet or a non-prescription cream, you can find all of the available treatments in our erectile dysfunction category here. 

If you are still unsure after reading this article, you should get in touch with a trained member of our team at Oxford Online Pharmacy who will be able to help you make the best decision for you in treating ED. 

We also have additional erectile dysfunction reading on our dedicated blog page here. 

References

1. National Library of Medicine - Sildenafil and the heart