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Erectile dysfunction affects nearly half of all men 40 years of age and older.
Due to their popularity, many men who face erectile dysfunction turn to erectile dysfunction medications to combat their sexual health issues.
ED medications aim to accomplish a few primary factors:
- Improve blood flow to the penis
- Improve urinary continence
- Increase self-esteem and confidence
- Improve sex life and sexual function
But, like most things, there’s the other side of the coin—the side-effects—that may come up from ingesting an ED drug. Prescription pills are a one-size-fits-all solution to a highly unique set of underlying causes that men experience.
For this reason, patients with sexual impotence who are seeking a chance to have a healthy sex life once again should avoid ED pills and opt for a customized erectile dysfunction treatment plan that is based around a specialized diagnosis on a case-by-case basis.
With this in mind, here are some side effects of sex pills to be aware of.
Different Types of ED Medications
While erectile dysfunction medications are similar, there are variances in their chemical makeup that brand each of them slightly different. This includes how long they will wear off, the potential side effects, and how quickly these meds take effect.
- Sildenafil (Viagra) – This is best consumed one hour before sex and if you’re diagnosed with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction. Takes effect for 4 to 5 hours.
- Tadalafil (Cialis) – Best consumed one to two hours before sex and is effective for 36 hours. Can adjust the dosage as necessary.
- Vardenafil (Levitra) – Best consumed one hour before sex and takes effect for 4 to 5 hours. Also has another form that dissolves in the mouth that can work more quickly compared to the pill version.
- Avanafil (Stendra) – Takes 30 minutes to be in effect. Can last up to 6 hours.
If you have an extensive medical history, you should disclose your symptoms to a sexual health professional when discussing treatment options.
This way, you won’t suffer from side effects that may arise due to other medications.
People with medical conditions, such as difficulty regulating high blood pressure, digestive and kidney diseases, heart disease, and liver failure should avoid taking ED drugs without their doctor’s approval.
Surprising Side Effects of ED
Here are 6 surprising side effects when ingesting these types of oral medications.
1. Visual Changes
There have been some reports of people getting visual changes as a side effect of taking erectile dysfunction drugs. These visual changes come in several forms, from blurry vision and light sensitivity to difficulty deciphering blue from green objects.
When you take an ED pill, there is a sudden increase in blood flow that is sent to various parts of your body via your veins. This can reach the eyes, and as a result, cause adverse effects to the fragile blood vessels and delicate tissue surrounding this body part.
In addition to this, if you have genetic diseases that affect your eye, you may be predisposed to experience severe symptoms when taking an ED pill as well. In particular, conditions such as Retinitis Pigmentosa and Non-arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy can exacerbate symptomatic effects in the eye. The most severe case is vision loss.
It’s best to consult a sexual health professional to help inform you of the best course of action.
2. Headaches
Headaches are one of the most common side effects of ED drugs. This is caused by the build-up of nitric oxide in the bloodstream, causing your body’s blood vessels to dilate, inflaming parts of your brain and resulting in migraines.
According to a study published in the National Institutes of Health, 1 in 4 men who take sildenafil (Viagra) experience headaches (most notably cluster headaches) as a side effect. These headaches manifest in bouts and last for weeks to months and can enter a stage of remission for a few months to several years.
3. Hearing Loss
According to a study, the drug classification of ED pills, PDE5 inhibitors, act to increase blood flow. They have also been historically used to treat high blood pressure.
Furthermore, in a study conducted by the Federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality of 11,525 men aged 40 and older, people who took PDE-5i medication were twice more likely to report hearing loss compared to those who don’t use ED pills. This association is stronger for those who use Viagra compared to Levitra or Cialis.
In a further study by Waknine, about 33% of the reports of hearing loss were temporary.
Why does this happen? Just like with the eye tissue, substantial blood flow to delicate ear tissue can potentially lead to damage and hearing loss.
4. Flushes
Flushes, or blotches of redness appearing in the skin, are the most common side effect of ingesting erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra. It occurs in 30.8% of patients.
These red patches appear mostly around your face. However, they can also manifest in other parts of your body. They can appear as mild or severe cases, from temporary blotchy skin to rashes.
If you are experiencing flushes and are uncertain about the implications to your health, seek prompt medical attention from a men’s clinic specializing in ED.
5. Priapism
Priapism is a rare but dangerous side effect that occurs when a man takes phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitor drugs for erectile dysfunction. The sexual dysfunction oral medications work by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis and lowering blood pressure to allow increased blood flow. This results in an erection.
For men with priapism, the erection does not go away after having sexual intercourse or masturbating after ingesting these prescription drugs. The condition can be extremely debilitating and is a cause for medical concern.
Without medical intervention, this can worsen the effect of ED and destroy tissue in the penis, causing penile scarring.
6. Back Aches
It may seem odd to discover that one of the side effects of ED medications is backaches, but many men who suffer from erectile dysfunction also complain about having lower back pain.
One explanation for this is due to age. As a man gets older, his testosterone levels fall and so does his muscle mass. A decline in muscle mass can result in restricted mobility and reduced body strength. Usually, over-the-counter (OTC) medications can help alleviate symptoms, but try to get a doctor’s approval first before trying out something new.
Consult Orlando’s Top ED Clinic for Safe and Effective ED Treatments
Whether you’re suffering from erectile dysfunction or another common sexual dysfunction, you don’t have to go through it alone.
Prescription pills are a one-size-fits-all solution to a highly unique set of underlying causes that men experience. Men struggling with sexual impotence who are seeking a chance to have a healthy sex life once again should avoid ED pills and opt for a customized erectile dysfunction treatment plan that is based around a specialized diagnosis on a case-by-case basis.
At Premier Men’s Medical Center, our highly trained medical team can work with you to find a customized solution for your unique health concerns. Our concierge approach positions your unique case at the centerpoint of our focus. We don’t just give you a pill for ED and send you on your way. We treat the underlying issues that led to conditions such as ED, Low Testosterone, PE, and more. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
