5 best medicines for erectile dysfunction

Some medications for erectile dysfunction are phosphodiesterase inhibitors, such as sildenafil, tadalafil or vardenafil, testosterone or L-arginine supplements, for example, as they can help improve blood flow to the penis or increase libido.

Erectile dysfunction, also known as sexual impotence, generally affects men between the ages of 50 and 80, and consists of the inability and difficulty in having or maintaining an erection of the penis that allows intimate contact.

Treatment with medications for sexual impotence should always be guided by a urologist, with individualized doses, after physical assessment and identification of the cause of erectile dysfunction. See the main causes of erectile dysfunction.

Some medications that may be prescribed by a urologist to treat sexual impotence include:

1. Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors

Sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra) and lodenafil carbonate (Helleva) are medicines in tablet form and are generally the first treatment option for erectile dysfunction.

These drugs, from the class of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, act by increasing local blood flow, helping to obtain or maintain a penile erection, as long as the man has sexual stimulation.

The most common side effects that may occur during treatment with these medications are headache, back pain and muscle pain, dizziness, visual disturbances, hot flashes, facial flushing, nasal congestion, nausea and poor digestion.

2. Injectable alprostadil

With the trade name Caverject, alprostadil is a medicine in the form of an injection for intracavernous application indicated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, when its origin is related to the nerves, blood vessels or when the cause is of psychological origin, or when the Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors were not effective.

Alprostadil works by favoring the relaxation of the smooth muscles of the corpora cavernosa and stimulates vasodilation in the penis, leading to the development of an erection, within 5 to 20 minutes after applying the injectable.

The most common side effects are pain in the penis, redness, penile fibrosis, angulation of the penis, fibrotic nodules, prolonged erection and hematoma at the injection site.

3. Testosterone

Testosterone supplements may be recommended by a urologist, in the form of a gel, patch or injection, for example, in cases of low libido or erectile dysfunction caused by low testosterone levels, as in the case of hypogonadism, for example.

In these cases, replacement therapy with this hormone may be recommended after treatment failure with phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, and may be administered in combination with other medications. Learn more about male hormone replacement.

Some of the side effects that may occur with testosterone replacement therapy are headache, hair loss, tension, breast enlargement and pain, prostate changes, diarrhea, dizziness, increased blood pressure, changes in mood and test results. laboratory tests, hypersensitivity and burning skin and memory loss.

4. Yohimbine hydrochloride

Yohimbine hydrochloride (Yomax) in tablet form may be recommended by a urologist for erectile dysfunction caused by diabetes, vascular or psychological problems.

This medicine works by increasing the tone of the penis and/or reducing the emptying of blood from the corpora cavernosa, which helps to improve erection.

Side effects of yohimbine hydrochloride are dizziness, anxiety, headache, insomnia, symptoms of mania, flushing, nasal congestion, or tremors.

5. L-arginine

L-arginine is an amino acid in supplement form that works by increasing the levels of the nitric oxide synthetase enzyme in the body, which may have some results in the treatment of mild to moderate erectile dysfunction.

Side effects that may occur during treatment with L-arginine are headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain and belly bloating.