According to MayoClinic.com, erectile dysfunction--the inability to obtain or sustain an erection--is caused by a number of factors, including weight, medical conditions affecting blood flow, diabetes and taking certain antidepressants. Remedies include prescription medications or over-the-counter herbal remedies. Many of these--prescription or otherwise--include substances that increase blood flow and aid in sexual potency and response. A physician should be consulted prior to taking any male enhancement drugs, as there is potential for side effects and drug interactions.
Viagra
Viagra, one of the first erectile dysfunction prescription medications, is made with sildenafil citrate. According to Drugs.com, sildenafil citrate is a vasodilator that increases blood flow to the penis. Sildenafil citrate works by enhancing nitric oxide effects within the body, especially the corpus cavernosum area of the penis, the part that holds the most blood within the penis. Sildenafil citrate relaxes the blood vessels, enabling a greater amount of blood flow to the corpus cavernosum.
Viagra prescription doses are available in 25, 50 and 100 mg pills. The dosage amount depends on the severity of the constriction of blood and the male's health.
Sildenafil citrate has several medication contraindications, and should not be taken with any other nitric oxide or blood thinning medication.
Cialis
Cialis is the second generation of erectile dysfunction medications, and contains tadalafil. Tadalafil, according to Drugs.com, relaxes the blood vessels to increase blood flow in the body. Tadalafil is categorized as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor which smooths blood vessels and inhibits platelet aggregation, which means it is a blood-thinning medication. Tadalafil is also used for hypertension.
Tadalafil should not be used by men currently taking blood-thinning medications or who have a history of low blood pressure.
Levitra
Levitra is an erectile dysfunction medication made with vardenafil HCl. According to Drugs.com, vardenafil HCl is relaxes muscles and increases blood flow.
Levitra comes in doses from 2.5 to 20 mg. Dosages will depend on severity of blood flow constriction and health of the individual.
Vardenafil HCl should not be taken by individuals with heart conditions. Side effects include increase of blood-thinning properties of medications, heart palpitations and low blood pressure.
Herbal Remedies
Several herbal over-the-counter remedies are available for erectile dysfunction. Herbs like saw palmetto and ginseng increase blood flow, while damiana and yohimbe extract increase nerve sensitivity and sexual response.
Although over-the-counter erectile dysfunction medications are made with herbs and amino acids, these medications increase blood flow and nerve sensitivity, so a physician should be consulted to discuss possible side effects prior to beginning any at-home erectile dysfunction treatment.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Erectile Dysfunction
- RxList: Viagra
- RxList: Cialis
- RxList: Levitra
- "PDR for Herbal Medicines"; Thomson Healthcare Inc.; 2007
