Chapter 4: Facts about Erectile Dysfunction
Viagra:
The technical name for Viagra is Sildenafil citrate. It was originally designed to treat chest pain in 1991. It was approved for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in 1998. Millions and millions of men have used this drug worldwide. It is successful in opening up the blood vessels to allow blood to flow freely into the penis. It also adds to the natural effect of nitric oxide to help keep the blood vessels open and sustain an erection for a long period of time.
The recommended dosage of Viagra is generally 50mg. The pills come in dosages of: 25, 50 and 100mg. The recommended dosage is taken about an hour before sexual intercourse. If you are sexually aroused; the penis will become erect within 30 minutes to an hour of taking it. Once it is fully engorged, it generally lasts about 4 hours. It has to be taken on an empty stomach and you should not eat foods that have a high fat content. Eating too much fat could hinder the drug from absorbing into the bloodstream. Viagra does not initiate sexual arousal. You still have to be sexually stimulated in order to achieve a strong erection.
Viagra is covered by most insurance plans as long as it is prescribed by a doctor for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The price of Viagra is up to almost $25 per pill. Many insurance companies will only cover a portion of this cost.
If you have heart problems or low blood pressure; it is recommended that you have a complete examination before taking the drug. Over 500 men have died while taking Viagra, although most of them were over 60 and had other contributing factors. Viagra was not as much the cause as the sex that the men were having while taking it.
Cialis:
Cialis was the last of the three popular drugs to be approved in the United States in late 2003. It had a clear advantage over both Viagra and Levitra because it lasts quite a bit longer. Some men have reported having erections for as long as 36 hours. Just like Viagra; Cialis promotes blood flow and relaxes the muscles in the penis when sexual arousal is present. Cialis has proven to be effective in sustaining an erection in men who suffer from ED. When a man has an orgasm and sexual arousal dissipates; the blood flow slows back down to a normal rate. It has been known to be effective with men who have temporary ED as well as long term, even when it is severe.
There are side effects that vary from patient to patient. The side effects that are the most common are muscle pain, back pain, headache and nausea. Most of the men who experience back and muscle pain do so within half a day to a day after taking Cialis. Even the most severe side effects tend to go away after no more than three days.
The recommended dosage of Cialis is generally 10mg when you first start. The pills come in dosages of: 5, 10 and 20mg. The recommended dosage is taken about 30 minutes to an hour before sexual intercourse. The penis will become erect within about 30 minutes of taking it. Once it is fully engorged, it can last up to 36 hours. It is not necessary to have an empty stomach and foods with high fat content do not affect it.
Levitra:
Levitra was approved just before Cialis earlier in 2003. It has the same function as Viagra and Cialis. It promotes blood flow and relaxes the muscles in the penis when sexual arousal is present. Levitra has proven to be effective in sustaining an erection in men who suffer from ED. When a man has an orgasm and sexual arousal dissipates; the blood flow slows back down to a normal rate. The wait time is anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and is reportedly a little faster working than Viagra. Half of men who take Levitra experience an erection in a little less than 30 minutes. In rare cases; the drug goes into effect in as little as 10 minutes. Levitra has even been proven to be effective on men who suffer from Diabetes and other illnesses that contribute to ED.
There are side effects that vary from patient to patient. You should not take Levitra if you are taking nitrate medication for chest pain. Some high blood pressure and prostate medications cannot be taken with Levitra. If you combine Levitra with some of these medications; it could cause your blood pressure to drop.
The recommended dosage of Levitra is generally 10 mg when you first start. The pills come in dosages of: 2. 5, 10 and 20mg. Once the penis is fully engorged, it lasts about 4 hours. It is not recommended that you take Levitra more than once a day. The average cost of Levitra is anywhere from $20 to $50 a pill. The higher quantity you buy, the cheaper it is. Most insurance companies will cover it but they may only pay a portion.
If you have problems with your heart; be sure to consult your doctor before taking any ED medications. They stimulate various nerves and blood vessels so you should use caution if you have a history of heart problems in your family. These drugs may also cause a drop in blood pressure and complicate any conditions you may have that effect the nervous system.
Women and children should never take ED medication and men should only take it if it is needed. If you take ED medication and start to feel nausea or dizziness; you must stop and consult your doctor as soon as possible. You should also consult your doctor if you experience any chest pain during intercourse.
Beware of Priapism! Priapism is the term used to describe an erection that lasts too long and will not go down. This happens from time to time when using ED medications. If your penis stays erect for longer than the recommended time; it can start to incur damage. In rare cases; the man is never able to have an erection again once it goes down.
You should always take only the lowest recommended dosage of ED medication to begin treatment, especially if you have problems with your kidneys or liver. Men who are in their mid-60s and above should also start at the lowest recommended dosage.