By Brian Wu
Reviewed by Suzanne Falck, MD, FACP
OTC
treatments and supplements | Prescription medications | Other treatment options
treatments and supplements | Prescription medications | Other treatment options
Erectile
dysfunction is a male sexual dysfunction that is more common as men get older.
Medications to treat this condition were previously available on prescription
only, but options are now available over the counter.
dysfunction is a male sexual dysfunction that is more common as men get older.
Medications to treat this condition were previously available on prescription
only, but options are now available over the counter.
It
is important to determine if these over-the-counter (OTC) options work and if
they are safe for long-term use. There are also several OTC dietary supplements
claiming to be natural erectile dysfunction (ED) medications. This article will
take a look at some of these options and see what evidence exists for their
use.
is important to determine if these over-the-counter (OTC) options work and if
they are safe for long-term use. There are also several OTC dietary supplements
claiming to be natural erectile dysfunction (ED) medications. This article will
take a look at some of these options and see what evidence exists for their
use.
OTC
treatments and supplements
treatments and supplements
Here
are four OTC treatments that are available and may help with the management of
ED.
are four OTC treatments that are available and may help with the management of
ED.
DHEA
Dehydroepiandrosterone
(DHEA) is a hormone that is made in the brain and produced by the adrenal
gland. It is involved in the production of male and female sex hormones.
(DHEA) is a hormone that is made in the brain and produced by the adrenal
gland. It is involved in the production of male and female sex hormones.
Levels
in the body begin to decrease naturally after age 30. Some men have lower
levels of DHEA than others, and DHEA has become a common OTC supplement.
Although it may be helpful to some men, there is not enough evidence to say for
certain that it helps with ED.
in the body begin to decrease naturally after age 30. Some men have lower
levels of DHEA than others, and DHEA has become a common OTC supplement.
Although it may be helpful to some men, there is not enough evidence to say for
certain that it helps with ED.
DHEA
can cause adverse side effects as well. Men may experience the following
problems:
can cause adverse side effects as well. Men may experience the following
problems:
- breast
tenderness - urinary
urgency - aggression
- reduced
size of the testes - acne
- sleep
problems
L-arginine
This
is the most common amino acid in men’s health supplements. L-arginine is
converted in the body into a chemical called nitric oxide. Nitric oxide helps
the blood vessels to open wider, improving blood flow.
is the most common amino acid in men’s health supplements. L-arginine is
converted in the body into a chemical called nitric oxide. Nitric oxide helps
the blood vessels to open wider, improving blood flow.
Caution
is advised when taking L-arginine, or similar supplements, as it can lower
blood pressure. It can increase the risk of bleeding when taken with certain
drugs. It may also alter blood sugar levels.
is advised when taking L-arginine, or similar supplements, as it can lower
blood pressure. It can increase the risk of bleeding when taken with certain
drugs. It may also alter blood sugar levels.
Ginseng
Ginseng
is a popular and widely used herbal remedy. It is supposed to help with
fertility as well as improve sexual function. It is available as pills or a
cream.
is a popular and widely used herbal remedy. It is supposed to help with
fertility as well as improve sexual function. It is available as pills or a
cream.
Ginseng
is a stimulant and can cause insomnia. Also, it may not be safe for people with
heart disease, autoimmune diseases, or bleeding disorders.
is a stimulant and can cause insomnia. Also, it may not be safe for people with
heart disease, autoimmune diseases, or bleeding disorders.
Adverse
side effects include:
side effects include:
- nausea
- diarrhea
- headaches
- blood
pressure abnormalities
Ginseng
can also interact with a variety of medications. Individuals should check with
their doctor before using ginseng as a complementary treatment.
can also interact with a variety of medications. Individuals should check with
their doctor before using ginseng as a complementary treatment.
Yohimbine
Yohimbine
is derived from the bark of an African tree and is supposed to improve sexual
dysfunction.
is derived from the bark of an African tree and is supposed to improve sexual
dysfunction.
Although
this herbal supplement is often sold as a treatment option for ED, not enough
research has been done to support this.
this herbal supplement is often sold as a treatment option for ED, not enough
research has been done to support this.
Yohimbine
causes some adverse side effects, including increased blood pressure, fast or
irregular heartbeat, and anxiety.
causes some adverse side effects, including increased blood pressure, fast or
irregular heartbeat, and anxiety.
Summary
of OTC options
of OTC options
With
each of these OTC treatments not enough research has been done to prove that
they treat ED.
each of these OTC treatments not enough research has been done to prove that
they treat ED.
Though
many of them claim to be natural, or are marked as dietary supplements, they
can also contain hidden ingredients that may be dangerous.
many of them claim to be natural, or are marked as dietary supplements, they
can also contain hidden ingredients that may be dangerous.
The
United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have found that nearly 300
products, supposedly for ED, contain excessively high doses of undisclosed,
potentially dangerous ingredients.
United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have found that nearly 300
products, supposedly for ED, contain excessively high doses of undisclosed,
potentially dangerous ingredients.
It
is important to note that some OTC products claiming to be sexual enhancers
often have not been tested or regulated by the FDA.
is important to note that some OTC products claiming to be sexual enhancers
often have not been tested or regulated by the FDA.
Critically,
they may interact with other medications that a person is taking. People take a
gamble if they decide to use them and may have little or no success.
they may interact with other medications that a person is taking. People take a
gamble if they decide to use them and may have little or no success.
It
is very important for people with other health conditions, or who are taking
additional medicines, to always speak to their doctor before taking any type of
supplement. This includes those that are marketed as “natural.”
is very important for people with other health conditions, or who are taking
additional medicines, to always speak to their doctor before taking any type of
supplement. This includes those that are marketed as “natural.”
Prescription
medications
medications
Oral
prescription medications are often successful in treating ED. There are four
primary prescription medications that are FDA-approved and available:
prescription medications are often successful in treating ED. There are four
primary prescription medications that are FDA-approved and available:
- sildenafil
(Viagra) - vardenafil
(Levitra, Staxyn) - tadalafil
(Cialis) - avanafil
(Stendra)
All
four medicines help to enhance the effects of nitric oxide, which the body
produces to relax muscles in the penis to allow an increased blood flow.
four medicines help to enhance the effects of nitric oxide, which the body
produces to relax muscles in the penis to allow an increased blood flow.
These
four drugs are known as PDE-5 inhibitors. They are not magic pills and sexual
stimulation is still needed to produce an erection.
four drugs are known as PDE-5 inhibitors. They are not magic pills and sexual
stimulation is still needed to produce an erection.
Although
these four drugs are similar, they vary in dosage as well as how long they work
for and their possible side effects.
these four drugs are similar, they vary in dosage as well as how long they work
for and their possible side effects.
Possible
side effects include:
side effects include:
- flushing
- nasal
congestion - headache
- visual
changes - backache
- upset
stomach
A
person’s doctor can determine which medication is the best fit for them.
person’s doctor can determine which medication is the best fit for them.
Some
people should not take medications for ED as they can be dangerous. These
people include those who:
people should not take medications for ED as they can be dangerous. These
people include those who:
- take
nitrate drugs or have heart problems - have
very low blood pressure or uncontrolled high blood pressure - have
liver disease - have
kidney disease
Other
treatment options
treatment options
There
are several other treatment options for ED aside from oral medications and
supplements. These options include:
are several other treatment options for ED aside from oral medications and
supplements. These options include:
- self-injections
– medication is injected directly into the penis - alprostadil
urethral suppository - testosterone
replacement - penis
pump penile implants - blood
vessel surgery
Before
taking any medicine, it is important for a person to talk to their doctor.
Currently, herbal medications are not viable treatments due to a lack of
regulation and evidence that they work.
taking any medicine, it is important for a person to talk to their doctor.
Currently, herbal medications are not viable treatments due to a lack of
regulation and evidence that they work.
Erectile
dysfunction is treatable and affected men can go on to lead normal sex lives.
There are a variety of different treatment options, and a doctor can help with
the best treatment plan.
dysfunction is treatable and affected men can go on to lead normal sex lives.
There are a variety of different treatment options, and a doctor can help with
the best treatment plan.
SOURCE: MEDICAL NEWS TODAY
Kayode Emmanuel Ojo is the Co-Founder and Managing Director at SHEFFA Limited. He is presently studying Computer Science at the National Open University, Victoria Island, Lagos.