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Erectile Dysfunction Drugs; a New World

Erectile dysfunction, a common medical condition which affects hundreds of thousands of men in the United States, is fast becoming a topic that is no longer under constant scrutiny and ridicule. Viagra, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in 1998 has helped men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction in the United States and has opened the doors to several new drugs prescribed for this condition. In addition to Viagra, the option to take Levitra or Cialis offers more relief for men suffering from erectile dysfunction. Studies have shown that Levitra may work faster than Viagra, up to 25-30 minutes faster as compared to an hour for a dose of Viagra to begin working. Cialis stays active in the body for much longer than Viagra or Levitra, up to 24-36 hours.

The basic premise of how the different medications treat erectile dysfunction is that they all work by relaxing the smooth muscle cells which widens the blood vessels. None of the drugs indicated here automatically produce an erection, but they do make an erection possible with sexual arousal. Erectile dysfunction medication blocks an enzyme called phosphodiesterase-5 which helps the smooth muscles in the penis to relax. This effectively increases blood flow, which allows an erection. The drugs typically used to treat erectile dysfunction has been proven to be safe, however there are several reported cases of recreational use of these drugs. Recreational use of erectile dysfunction medications is associated with higher risks of sexually transmitted diseases (STD's), which includes HIV.

Erectile dysfunction is the consistent or recurrent inability of a man to attain or maintain a penile erection that is sufficient for sexual performance. As erectile dysfunction is an extremely private matter, the topic is fast becoming less taboo and is talked about more often now than ever. It is estimated that erectile dysfunction affects more than one half of all men over the age of 40, yet despite the high numbers, 9 out of 10 men in the United States have not yet sought treatment from a physician. Erectile dysfunction has been found to be three times more prevalent among men diagnosed with diabetes than in the general population. The onset of erectile dysfunction is found in half of men with diabetes within ten years of their diagnoses and it can occur in 9% of men with diabetes between the ages of 20 and 29 and rises to 95% by the age of 70.

The three drugs discussed in this article are all chemically similar and have similar side effects. The most noticeable difference is that men using Viagra are more likely to experience temporary difficulties with color vision. Viagra taken with food can also decrease its effectiveness by 29%, yet food causes little if any effect on Levitra or Cialis. With more and more drugs entering the market, it's becoming more difficult to determine which medication will be most beneficial for you. Contact your physician for further information and to determine which drug is right for you.