Side Effects of Erectile Dysfunction Medications

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.

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.

Side Effects of ED Pill Medications 

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.

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 research, 1 in 4 men who take sildenafil (Viagra) experience headaches (most notably cluster headaches) as a side effect. These headaches manifest in bouts and can last for weeks to months and can enter a stage of remission for a few months to several years.

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.

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 medications can help alleviate symptoms, but definitely get a doctor’s approval before trying out something new.

Gainswave is the way to GO!

ED pills may successfully treat erectile dysfunction temporarily, by relaxing vessels in the penis, allowing more blood to flow in. But, a few hours later, the man is back in that deflated boat. 

 GAINSWave shockwave therapy treats the condition at the source of the problem. The procedure clears out the plaque in one’s blood, as well as creates new and healthy blood vessels. As a result, a man’s blood flow is improved and his erections last longer and are healthier. 

The safe and non-invasive procedure requires just a few fifteen minute visits to the Optimal Health office. Best of all, science proves GAINSWave is effective. 

ED Treatments at Optimal Health

If you’re suffering from erectile dysfunction or another common sexual dysfunction, you don’t have to go through it alone. Consult Knoxville, Tennessee’s most recommended ED clinic for safe and effective ED treatments

At Optimal Health Regenerative Aesthetics Medical, our highly trained team can offer several therapies to treat ED, including the P-Shot® and GAINSWave™ Therapy. These state of the art treatments are used together, to maximize results.

Though these treatments are effective at treating ED, you do not have to have ED in order to be able to receive these therapies, and anyone will see improvements after treatment.

Contact our Knoxville office today by clicking here to schedule a complimentary consultation.