Viagra Alternatives: Is There Anything That Works the Same?
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What is Viagra?
Viagra is a prescription medication used to treat erectile dysfunction.
It belongs to a class of drugs known as PDE5 inhibitors. Viagra and related drugs work by increasing the release of nitrous oxide, or NO. NO is critical in getting and maintaining an erection. Upon arousal, your NO is released into the blood vessels in the spongy tissues of the penis, allowing increased blood flow into these erectile tissues. As the tissues expand, an erection is the result.
Viagra boosts NO production and increases these effects. Viagra and related oral PDE5 drugs such as Cialis and Levitra have ushered in a new era of safe, effective, and convenient ED treatments for men. However, these drugs are not recommended for all ED patients. In fact, they can not be used by men with high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes. Men with these conditions are the very ones who or more likely to be suffering from ED!
Also, Viagra and related medications have a number of uncomfortable side effects. This has led many men to seek alternatives to Viagra. Fortunately, today there are many options other than Viagra to treat ED.
Let’s take a look at the various Viagra alternatives and their relative pros and cons.
Viagra vs. Alternatives: A Quick Comparison
| Treatment | Pros | Cons | Price | Lasts For |
| Viagra | Inexpensive and readily available, works for most men | Many side effects and drug interactions. Cannot be used by all men. Does not treat the root cause of ED. Needs to be taken before engaging in sex. | Varies based on where purchased and medical insurance. | About four hours |
| Other medication (vardenafil
, tadalafil, avanafil) |
Work similar to Viagra but can last longer. | Many side effects and drug interactions. Cannot be used by all men. Does not treat the root cause of ED. | Varies based on where purchased and medical insurance. | Up to 36 hours, depending on which medication. |
| Penis Pumps and other medical devices | A viable alternative for men who can’t take Viagra. Few, if any, side effects. | Can cause injury. Does not treat the root cause of ED. Results are temporary. | Anywhere from $50 to $700, depending on the device. | Varies depending on the device. |
| Nutritional Supplements | Few side effects, cheap, and readily available. | Most claims are unproven. Not FDA approved. Could interact with medications. Do not treat the root cause of ED. | Varies depending on the supplement. | Varies depending on the supplement. |
| OTC Meds | Few side effects, cheap, and readily available. | Most claims are unproven. Most are not FDA-approved. Could interact with medications. Do not treat the root cause of ED. | Varies depending on the OTC medication. | Varies depending on the OTC medication. |
| HGH Therapy | Treats the root cause of ED.
Returns ability to achieve spontaneous erections. Plus has many other benefits like improved strength and energy. |
Can be expensive.
Only available with a prescription. |
$1500 a month and up, depending on dose and brand. Some expenses of treatment may be covered by insurance. | Provides long-term reversal of ED symptoms. |
| Testosterone Therapy | Treats the root cause of ED.
Returns ability to achieve spontaneous erections. Plus has many other benefits like improved strength and energy. |
Can be expensive.
Only available with a prescription. |
$1500 a month and up, depending on dose and brand. Some expenses of treatment may be covered by insurance. | Provides long-term reversal of ED symptoms. |
What Are the Most Popular Viagra Substitutes?
The most popular alternatives to Viagra are similar prescription drugs that are of the same formula or different formulas but have been engineered to work somewhat differently than Viagra – usually for longer-lasting results or for men who had issues with taking the original Viagra.
Other Medications Than Viagra for ED
Oral medications – Popular alternative oral ED medications include, Tadalafil (Cialis), Vardenafil (Levitra), Vardenafil (Staxyn), and Avanafil (Stendra).
Non-Oral medications – Non-oral ED drugs use delivery mechanisms other than pills; these can include injections (Tri-Mix), Urethral suppositories, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Are There Any Herbs and Supplements That Are Alternatives to Viagra?
There is no such thing as “over-the-counter” Viagra, but there are various nutritional supplements and OTC options that claim they can provide an alternative to Viagra. However, few of the claims of these so-called “natural Viagra” have been proven.
Herbs, supplements, and other so-called OTC “penis pills” are not regulated by the FDA, so they can pretty much make any claims about effectiveness as they like. Still, that has not stopped the “male enhancement” supplement business from becoming a multibillion-dollar industry. There have been some clinical studies that have shown some of these supplements may help with ED; however, the studies were small-scale and usually funded by the maker of the particular supplement.
Most of these products should be used with caution as a Viagra alternative, their claims of effectiveness are questionable, and since they are not regulated by the FDA, they can contain unknown or even toxic ingredients.
Herbs and supplements that have been suggested as OTC Viagra alternatives include:
- Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
- Ginseng
- L-arginine
- Yohimbe
- Ginkgo
- Horney Goat Weed
Are There Any Other Viagra Alternatives?
Since the introduction of Viagra, we have experienced something of a “golden age” in ED treatments. Viagra and the other PDE5 medications brought ED out of the shadows, and men today have many alternative treatments to choose from.
Other methods to treat ED include:
- Penis pumps, penis rings, and other medical devices
- MUSE therapy
- Platelet-rich plasma injections (the P-shot)
- Acoustical wave therapy
- Hormone replacement therapy
How to Choose the Best Treatment Option for ED?
The biggest drawback to Viagra, and almost all of these other alternative treatments for ED, is that few, if any, of them treat the root cause of erectile dysfunction, which is damaged or blocked blood vessels.
Good blow flow to and within the penis is critical to getting and maintaining an erection adequate enough to perform sexual activities. Unfortunately, the blood vessels that supply blood to the penis came become damaged or clogged as a man ages. This is one of the reasons why ED is more prevalent as a man ages.
The condition is similar to the “clogged arteries” of cardiovascular disease. That is one reason why men who have heart disease, high blood pressure, and other related conditions also tend to treat ED.
However, Viagra, while it may be effective for many men, only temporarily treats the symptoms of ED, and does nothing to repair this damage or permanently improve blood flow.
Hormone replacement therapy for men, on the other hand, can and does repair these damaged blood vessels treating erectile dysfunction at its source. Hormone replacement, and in particular, human growth hormone or HGH therapy, has been shown to treat ED through a process known as “revascularization.” HGH therapy actually heals age-damaged blood vessels in the penis and stimulates the production of new vessels. The resulting increased blood flow radically improves your ability to get and maintain an erection.
Testosterone therapy is also often used in men experiencing age-related erectile dysfunction. Like HGH, testosterone can also aid in the repair of damaged blood vessels, in addition, testosterone also increases NO production and releases, so therefore it has a similar effect as Viagra, without the side effects.
If you are seeking an alternative to Viagra because you cannot take it or related drugs, or you have tried it and had uncomfortable side effects, or have been unhappy with your results, why not opt for the Viagra alternative that treats the root cause of ED – hormone replacement therapy for men.
