Erectile dysfunction treatments
Viagra/Sildenafil
Viagra/Sildenafil is a prescription treatment for men with ED (erectile dysfunction), a condition that affects your ability to get or keep an erection. It is a phosphodiesterase 5 type inhibitor (PDE5), which makes it from the same family of drugs as other well know ED medicines such as Cialis (Tadalafil), Levitra (Vardenafil) and Spedra (Avanafil). Viagra has been available in the UK as an ED treatment since 2003 and generic Sildenafil since 2013 and have helped many men maintain an active sex life.
Viagra Connect
Viagra Connect is an effective treatment for ED which can be purchased quickly via our clinic without a doctor's prescription, making it our fastest, most accessible ED treatment. Viagra Connect contains sildenafil which relaxes the blood vessels of the penis, allowing more blood to flow. This means an erection can be achieved when aroused. After sex, the erection will go away as it would normally.
Viagra Connect is quickly absorbed, taking just 30-60 minutes to work and lasts for up to 4 hours. Consuming Viagra Connect with a high-fat meal will cause delays in its absorption.
Cialis/Tadalafil
Cialis/Tadalafil is a prescription-only medication for the treatment of ED. The branded version of Tadalafil, Cialis, has been available since 2003 and has delivered exceptional results for men with ED. It is also available in its generic form Tadalafil. The effects of taking a single tablet of Cialis/Tadalafil can last up to 36 hours. This increased time means you do not need to plan as much, before sexual activity and it can be taken much more discreetly.
Cialis/Tadalafil Once-a-Day
Cialis Once-a-Day, also known as Cialis Daily, is a more recent and innovative treatment for erection problems. Cialis is also available in its generic form Tadalafil. It is the only prescription medication currently available as a regular treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). It aims to help you to get, and keep, erections whenever you are sexually aroused.
Levitra/Vardenafil
Levitra/Vardenafil is a prescription tablet for men with ED. It is a phosphodiesterase 5 type inhibitor (PDE5), which makes it from the same family of drugs as other well know ED medicines such as Viagra and Cialis. It is one of the fastest acting treatments for ED, taking as little as 25 minutes in some men to take effect and can last for up to five hours.
Levitra Orodispersible
Levitra orodispersible (Vardenafil) is a prescription orodispersible tablet for men with ED. This means that instead of swallowing it, you place the entire orodispersible tablet on your tongue, where it will dissolve in seconds. With sexual stimulation you may achieve an erection anywhere from 25 minutes up to four to five hours after taking the treatment.
Spedra (Avanafil)
Spedra contains the active ingredient Avanafil. It is a fast-acting prescription treatment for men with ED (erectile dysfunction). It is one of the newest drugs in the phosphodiesterase 5 type inhibitor (PDE5) family and the fastest acting. It takes only 15 to 30 minutes to be effective and you may achieve an erection for up to 4 hours after taking treatment.
Erectile dysfunction (ED)
Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence, is a common health problem affecting up to one in five males.1 Most men will experience some level of erectile dysfunction at some point in their life.
ED can affect men of all ages but is most common later in life (over the age of 40). Younger men suffering from erection problems can usually be as a result of anxiety, tiredness, stress, drinking too much alcohol or the pressures to perform when with a sexual partner.
Effective treatment for ED can range from changes to your lifestyle and/or through the use of medicines such as Viagra/Sildenafil, Cialis/Tadalafil, Levitra/Vardenafil and Spedra/Avanafil (all of which are taken orally).
Referring yourself for counselling or therapy can also be an alternative and quite effective treatment option. Do not allow ED to spoil your sex life. Taking control of your condition and getting the right treatment will mean you continue to enjoy a happy and healthy sex life.
The definition of erectile dysfunction (ED)
Erectile dysfunction is when a male is unable to achieve an erection (or maintain an erection during sexual intercourse with a partner). This usually means that you are unable to get an erection following arousal or you achieve an erection but are unable to maintain it before or during sexual intercourse. If this occurs on multiple occasions especially over a short period of time, then you should speak to a healthcare professional to ascertain the cause(s) and to discuss suitable treatment options.
How does an erection occur?
For you to understand the cause of your erectile dysfunction, you must first understand the complicated processes involved in achieving an erection. The brain needs to interact with nerves, hormones and blood vessels for the process to be successful. The involvement of multiple components means this pathway can be disrupted at numerous points and result in failing to achieve an erection.
Your penis consists of twin chambers called the corpus cavernosa. During arousal, the walls of the corpus cavernosa are instructed to relax by a nucleotide called cGMP, which enables the chambers to accommodate increased blood flow. In addition to this, the veins leaving your penis are instructed to reduce the flow of blood away, increasing the blood pressure in your penis, creating an erection. PDE-5 is an enzyme that naturally breaks down cGMP. Therefore, erection problems can occur when there is an imbalance between the PDE-5 enzyme and the cGMP nucleotide.
Why does erectile dysfunction happen?
There are many physical and psychological causes which can lead to impotence/ED. It is important to identify the cause so the most appropriate treatment can be selected.
PHYSICAL FACTORS
- Any condition which affects blood flow (hypertension, hypercholesteremia, atherosclerosis)
- Diabetes (both type 1 and type 2)
- Changes in levels of certain hormones (testosterone, prolactin, thyroid, etc.)
- A raised BMI
- An injury which results in damage to the nervous system linking the brain to your penis
- Surgery, MS (multiple sclerosis), chemotherapy, radiotherapy, local trauma, etc.
- Illicit drug use, smoking and drinking excessive levels of alcohol
PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS
- Stress
- Anxiety (especially if you have suffered erectile dysfunction in the past or are likely to suffer from performance anxiety)
- Depression
- Lack of interest in sex
Take control of erectile dysfunction now
The most important thing is to discuss the situation with your partner and your doctor to get the appropriate treatment. If you feel uncomfortable discussing this with your GP, we can help by arranging a consultation with a specialist, either over the phone or through this website.
Making lifestyle changes can have a positive impact on your erectile dysfunction. Stopping smoking, dietary changes, especially if weight is an issue and limiting alcohol consumption to no more than 14 units per week can all have positive impacts.
For psychological problems, you may benefit from counselling or therapy. If your problem is physical in nature, then your GP will be able to perform an examination and prescribe suitable treatment through medication.
Prescription only medication
The most commonly used medicines for treating erectile dysfunction are PDE-5 inhibitors. This group of treatments increases the blood flow to the penis allowing you to achieve and maintain an erection. The most common medicines in this category are Viagra/Sildenafil, Cialis/Tadalafil, Levitra/Vardenafil and Spedra/Avanafil. During your consultation, our doctor will be able to recommend the most appropriate treatment for you.