One in ten men will experience sexual problems at some point. It’s fair to say that erectile dysfunction (ED) is a very real problem and can affect men across the spectrum. It doesn’t matter if you are gay, straight or bisexual – erectile dysfunction doesn’t discriminate. ED, or impotency, does tend to affect more mature males, but again, that’s not a given. A younger man going through a particularly stressful time or suffering from a medical problem may be just as likely to suffer from ED.
So, we are well aware of the problem but what can be done about erectile dysfunction? There are numerous treatments available. These include counselling or sex therapy, using medication (such as Viagra or Cialis), using equipment to assist (eg a vacuum pump), undergoing surgery, injections, implants and suppositories, or trying out alternative therapies.
Getting advice from a medical expert
Your doctor can help you to decide on the best course of treatment for ED. They will look at certain factors before making a decision, such as any prevalent medical issues that you already suffer from and any medication you are already taking. You can also receive a secure and confidential online consultation with Dr Fox. Our GPs also work in the NHS and can provide you with an online prescription, and we’ll have your medication sent directly to your door, with your privacy respected throughout.
Psychological ED, physical ED or both?
It’s not always easy to pinpoint the cause of ED. Impotency caused by psychological problems (such as stress or depression) may need to be treated in a different way to impotency that is caused by physical problems.
Medication can prove a highly effective treatment for erectile dysfunction, with drugs such as Cialis and its generic form (tadalafil) now widely available in the UK. However, although medication will alleviate sexual problems in terms of facilitating an erection, it will not necessarily resolve any underlying psychological or physiological condition, which is why it is important to consult your regular doctor before seeking treatment online.
What medication is available to treat erectile dysfunction?
In the UK, there are various drugs available to treat ED, there are big brand names that you will probably recognise and some of these also have a generic (unbranded) equivalent. Branded medications and their generic forms offer the same content and effect, however, there is one difference that jumps out, and that’s the price point; as you might expect, the generic (and less recognisable) ED drugs will cost you less than the branded medication.
Cialis (tadalafil)
Cialis and tadalafil (generic Cialis) stand out a little more than the other medications on offer. It takes a similar amount of time for tadalafil to start to work (around 30 minutes) but when it does, the effects last for much longer than other drugs – up to 36 hours – hence its nickname, the weekend pill. Studies comparing sildenafil with tadalafil suggest patients and their partners have a preference for tadalafil.
Viagra (sildenafil)
Viagra, also known as ‘the little blue pill’, is well known as a medication that can help alleviate ED problems. The generic form, sildenafil, does the job just as well. It takes around 30 minutes for Viagra/sildenafil to kick in and the effects last for around 4 or 5 hours.
Levitra (vardenafil)
Levitra (chemical name vardenafil) usually induces an erection in around 30 minutes. A man taking this medication can expect the effects to last for approximately 4-5 hours.
February 2023: Branded Levitra discontinued by the manufacturer (Bayer).
Spedra (avanafil)
Spedra (chemical name avanafil) can prompt an erection in as little as 15 minutes. The effects can last for approximately 6 hours (sometimes longer).
Which is the best medication for me?
Only you, your partner and GP can decide on the right ED medication for you, with various factors at play, including not only your lifestyle but also your medical history. If you’d like to find out more information about tadalafil, erectile dysfunction, or other men’s health issues, you can contact Dr Fox today.