Treatment of erectile dysfunction has been changed beyond all recognition in the last few decades. Safe and reliable treatment is now at hand for most men who need it.
It’s a well-known fact by now that there is treatment for ED. Depending on the cause it can be addressed through medicine, lifestyle changes and psychological counselling. We know that it is important to visit your GP if you experience ANY changes in your ability to achieve an erection, but what shouldn’t you do?
DON’T: Stop talking to your partner
Being unable to achieve or maintain an erection naturally causes feelings of frustration, anxiety, embarrassment or anger. But don’t forget that your partner is also experiencing a range of emotions, and in order to address the condition you have to communicate and work through it together. Read in full
Viagra is a brand name medicine and costs around £5 per tablet. Generic versions of Viagra, called Sildenafil, are significantly cheaper alternatives at around 50p per tablet – and work in exactly the same way as Viagra.
Its benefits are widely known, but when it comes to actually taking Viagra, there are a lot of unanswered questions. Men thinking about taking any PDE5 inhibitor should review the following FAQs and discuss the medication with their GPs.
What drug is Viagra?
Viagra’s active ingredient is sildenafil citrate, which belongs to the group of PDE5 (Phosphodiesterase-5) inhibitors. It works by inhibiting an enzyme that regulates blood flow to the penis, which then increases blood flow into the penis and sustaining an erection for longer when sexual stimulation occurs. Read in full
The headlines read “Tesco to sell half-price Viagra over the counter” and “Viagra goes on high street sale”. With all the media hype over Viagra and the generic version sildenafil now available in pharmacies, the natural assumption is that Tesco and Boots are the places to buy it – the cheapest and easiest avenues to get your sex life back on track.
Update April 2018:Viagra Connect now available without prescription.
But while it would be easy to simply walk into your nearest Tesco or Boots pharmacy and ask for a pack from behind the counter, let’s investigate whether it really is possible to buy Viagra during a trip to the supermarket, and if there is another, more convenient alternative out there.
The premise of offering Viagra through pharmacies is simple. It is considered a low toxicity drug with relatively few side effects, and can be safely prescribed following a straightforward medical consultation to rule out contraindications. Read in full
People often wonder about the possible side effects of Viagra, concerned that the little blue pill might result in some kind of unpleasantness or even dangerous health conditions. It’s always sensible to understand the nature of your medications and, while Viagra is recognised as a low-toxicity medicine, it pays to be aware of its potential side effects.
Our patients tend to do a lot of their own research on the subject and although this can sometimes lead to unwarranted concern, it could also be prudent in determining whether Viagra or the generic sildenafil is safe to take. So here we will explain Viagra’s side effects and briefly take you through which are common and which may be cause for worry. Read in full
Viagra and other ED medicines are not always guaranteed to work
As with any medication, Viagra and other erectile dysfunction medications aren’t guaranteed to work for everyone.
Your doctor should explain carefully how to use them, and what to expect, but even under the best of circumstances you may find that you need a number of attempts, or possibly an adjusted dose or different type of medication in order to see results.
If you aren’t able to achieve an erection soon after you start treatment, don’t despair. Check to ensure you are taking the medication exactly as directed according to the patient information leaflet supplied with the tablets, and be sure to let your doctor know what happens (or doesn’t happen) when you do. Always consult a doctor if treatment doesn’t work. Studies show an improved response rate after receiving appropriate dose and instructions on administration. You may require further tests and assessment, and possibly alternative treatments.
What is the ‘success rate’ of sildenafil (Viagra)?
From clinical trials the following percentages of men responded to the three different doses of sildenafil as follows:
Proportions of patients reporting improved erections in clinical trials of sildenafil
Sildenafil
25mg dose
62% reported improved erections
Sildenafil
50mg dose
74% reported improved erections
Sildenafil
100mg dose
82% reported improved erections
The results show sildenafil (Viagra, Viagra Connect) is not effective for all men, but the reasons can be complex and varied. Read on to learn a few different things you can try in order to help your medication have the desired effect. These points will help you develop a realistic expectation for your treatment.
Adopt the right mindset
Before all else, try to keep in mind that no erectile dysfunction medicine is a miracle cure. The PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and avanafil) work by facilitating blood flow to the penis, but they all require sexual arousal. Your body sends the necessary chemicals to the blood vessels of the penis, the medication helps the blood flow, and also block the PDE5 enzymes that eliminate the chemicals, and this helps you get and maintain an erection.
Without proper sexual arousal the medication will simply not take effect. Try to make sure you are receiving stimulation that works for you; whether it’s visual or from touch, scent or taste, you need to feel naturally turned on.
Distractions, interruptions, and low temperatures can stop the production of the chemicals responsible for erections.
Patient expectations
Psychological factors can make a big difference with regard to treatment and outcome, and should not be underestimated (the placebo effect is a good example). Brand, size, shape, and colour of a pill can all have a psychological impact on a patient’s confidence in the treatment. There is also documented evidence that a higher dosage can have a positive psychological effect, however side effects are more likely. Studies also suggest men’s mood improves after taking sildenafil. Read in full
Buy treatmentPrices checked 14 July 2015 – Dr Fox remains significantly lower cost than competitors and is often over 50% cheaper than major high street and internet pharmacies such as Lloyds Pharmacy, Pharmacy2U and Chemist Direct for the same service and product. Read in full
It’s always “someone’s fault” when couples argue – perhaps that’s why arguments begin in the first place. One blames the other for something, the other disagrees and things escalate from there. Add a sex-related issue to the mix and it quickly becomes an emotional situation.
When a relationship is affected by erectile dysfunction it’s easy to wonder whose fault it is; who is to blame for an organ that simply won’t perform, or a sex life that isn’t satisfying?
Erectile dysfunction is thought to be the cause of break ups in around a significant proportion of relationships. Here we explore the concept of blame and how to overcome it. Read in full
It’s a well-known fact by now that there is treatment for ED. Depending on the cause it can be addressed through medicine, lifestyle changes and psychological counselling. We know that it is important to visit your GP if you experience ANY changes in your ability to achieve an erection, but what shouldn’t you do?
People often wonder about the possible side effects of Viagra, concerned that the little blue pill might result in some kind of unpleasantness or even dangerous health conditions. It’s always sensible to understand the nature of your medications and, while Viagra is recognised as a low-toxicity medicine, it pays to be aware of its potential side effects.
It’s always “someone’s fault” when couples argue – perhaps that’s why arguments begin in the first place. One blames the other for something, the other disagrees and things escalate from there. Add a sex-related issue to the mix and it quickly becomes an emotional situation.