Archive for the ‘Medications and Alternatives’ Category
For men who have difficulty attaining an erection, the medication sildenafil (Viagra), which increases blood flow to the penis, may be very helpful, though it must be taken 1 to 4 hours prior to intercourse. Men who take nitrates for coronary heart disease should not take sildenafil. Mechanical aids and penile implants are also an option for men who cannot attain an erection and who find that sildenafil isn’t helpful.
Women with vaginal dryness may be helped with lubricating gels, hormone creams, and — in cases of premenopausal or menopausal women — with hormone replacement therapy. In some cases, women with androgen deficiency can be helped by taking testosterone. Vulvodynia can be treated with testosterone cream, with use of biofeedback, and with low doses of some antidepressants, which also treat nerve pain. Surgery has not been successful.
Simple, open, accurate, and supportive education about sex and sexual behaviors or responses may be all that is required in many cases. Some couples may benefit from joint counseling to address interpersonal issues and communication styles. Psychotherapy may be required to address anxieties, fears, inhibitions, or poor body image.
You must review your overall health and current medications with your doctor, before taking Viagra or any other medication. It is also important to deal with any psychological or relationship issues through counseling or therapy.
Viagra, Levitra and Cialis are generally the first treatments used for erectile dysfunction. They work well for most men and have few side effects. All three medications help improve erectile function issues in the same way, but the outcome of tadalafil (Cialis) last longer.
Your doctor will consider all the factors when deciding if one of these medications is a good choice for you. Your doctor will also consider any other health problems you have and whether any of your current medications may cause issues when taken with Viagra, Levitra or Cialis.
Never take Viagra, Levitra or Cialis if you take nitrate drugs to treat chest pain due to heart problems. Like Viagra, Levitra and Cialis, nitrates dilate blood vessels. Their combined effects can cause dangerous low blood pressure and loss of consciousness.
Cialis is a popular medicine which is also widely known under the generic name of Tadalafil. This medicine belongs to a class of muscle relaxant drugs. The drug is used for the effective treatment of impotency and erectile dysfunction.
Cialis is regularly prescribed to patients who are in need of an effective treatment of impotence and / or erectile dysfunction. This drug achieves its goal by relaxing the patient’s penile muscles, thus causing a higher amount of blood to flow into the penis. In this way, a treatment with Cialis is able to facilitate and help maintain an erection.
Cialis, Levitra, and Viagra work by a similar mechanism to cause erections. There are subtle differences in how long the drug works and how quickly it works.
Levitra works a little longer than Viagra. They both take effect in about 30 minutes. With Levitra, the effects last for about 5 hours. With Viagra, the effects last approximately 4 hours.
Cialis works a bit faster (within about 15 minutes), and the effects last much longer — up to 36 hours in some cases.
Several natural supplements have recently come to light and may provide benefits within days to weeks.
Ginkgo Biloba: Is an herb that is commonly taken as a memory booster and might provide benefits. It supposedly works by increasing the blood flow and seems relatively free of side effects. Ginkgo Biloba reverses sexual problems in 84% of men who were taking antidepressant drugs.
Arginine: Is an amino acid that also enhances blood flow. In a study of 50 men 31% of those with impotence improved after six weeks of taking arginine. The men who might benefit from it are men who have circulatory disorders that could be contributing to sexual problems.
Yohimbe: Some studies have shown that this herb may correct impotence. However, this herb can cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure, as well as anxiety and other side effects. Many doctors prefer the purified form of the herb, the FDA-approved drug yohimbine, instead, because it has a guaranteed purity and potency.

