For men, flagging potency levels means that every thing is not right with the cardiovascular system. Experts believe that a rush to fix the problem with impotence drugs may actually be a bigger health threat. ED is more often a manifestation of underlying problems and even precedes angina. In fact, one should consider it an early warning.
With the roaring business of all ED drugs which include Viagra, Cialis and Levitra have put the research spotlight back on ED. Furthermore, studies suggest that the condition is largely physiological for most men and not psychological.
Additionally, researchers have deduced from a study that arteries of men with ED expanded less efficiently than of men without ED – which could be a possible sign of underlying heart disease.
But most men with ED are not even close to cardiovascular deterioration. For them, the problems could be the blood vessels inside the penis and the smooth muscle around them that may be affected on a biochemical level.
However, it has been known that erectile dysfunction is largely due to reduced nitric oxide in the endothelium, which is the inner lining of the blood vessels. During an erection the blood flow demands increase and the endothelium releases nitric oxide to help trigger blood vessel expansion. Nitric oxide is the primary chemical that aids normal erectile function and is also very important as an anti-atherosclerotic agent, which works to resist the hardening of the arteries. In this sense, ED may to a large extent, serve as an early signal that blood vessels elsewhere in the body are not expanding as they should.
Incidentally, all ED drugs help increase nitric oxide levels in the endothelium and were therefore first studied as possible treatments for cardiac problems. However, these drugs work better in some organs and don’t work well in some.
Although, statins do improve the function of the enzyme called nitric oxide synthase, that produces nitric oxide inside the blood vessels, probably that very mechanism will help get rid of ED.
Comparison of Cialis to other erectile dysfunction treatment
Cialis has the lead as far as its functioning goes. It has become a drug of choice for most men with erectile dysfunction and their partners. The prime differences are:
Cialis:
How long it works: Up to 24 hours
Recommended time to take before sex: 30 minutes to 12 hours
Most common side effects: Headache, dyspepsia/upset stomach, back pain
Colour/Shape: Yellow/Almond
Effectiveness Studies: 81% of men reported improved erections
Diminished by food: No
Levitra:
How long it works: Up to 5 hours
Recommended time to take before sex: 25 to 60 minutes
Most common side effects: Headache, facial flushing
Colour/Shape: Orange/Round
Effectiveness Studies: 75% of men on recommended starting dose had an erection that enabled them to have sex
Diminished by food: No
Viagra:
How long it works: Up to 4.5-5 hours
Recommended time to take before sex: 60 minutes
Most common side effects: Headache, facial flushing, altered or bluish vision
Colour/Shape: Blue/Diamond
Effectiveness Studies: 74% of men on recommended starting dose reported improved erections
Diminished by food: Yes
In fact, Cialis significantly improved some aspects of ED which include:
- Overall erectile function
- Ability to achieve erections sufficient for vaginal penetration
- Ability to maintain erections for successful sexual intercourse
- Satisfaction with sexual intercourse
- Overall satisfaction
- Satisfaction with the hardness of erections
- Confidence in ability to achieve and maintain an erection
- Partners' satisfaction with sexual intercourse
Will Cialis cause me unwanted erections?
All ED drugs, including Cialis cannot cause an unwanted erection as these medicines are not developed to work in that area. Cialis will cause an erection when the penis is sexually stimulated. Arousal causes the release of cGMP in the penis which increases blood flow and the penis remains erect. Cialis in fact inhibits the action of the PDE5 enzyme that stops the cGMP from performing its job. This is how Cialis helps with erection and therefore has no hand in causing unwanted erections.
An erection requires the interaction of the brain, nerves, hormones, and blood vessels. Anything that works against this process will hamper normal erections. Common causes of erection problems include:
- Diseases and conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart or thyroid conditions, poor blood flow, depression, or neurologic disorders (such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease)
- Medications such as blood pressure medications (especially beta-blockers), heart medications (such as digoxin), some peptic ulcer medications, sleeping pills, and antidepressants
- Nerve damage from prostate surgery
- Nicotine, alcohol, or cocaine use
- Poor communication with your partner
- Repeated feelings of doubt and failure or negative communication that reinforce the erection problems
- Spinal cord injury
- Stress, fear, anxiety, or anger
- Unrealistic sexual expectations, which make sex a task rather than a pleasure
Erection problems tend to become more common as one ages, but it can affect men at any age. Physical causes are more common in older men, while psychological causes are more common in younger men.
Low levels of testosterone rarely lead to erection problems, but may reduce a man’s sex drive.
