7 Doctor-Recommended Viagra Alternatives
Some of these options are not for the faint of heart.
Viagra, the “little blue pill,” remains the most popular medication prescribed for erectile dysfunction (ED) today. But it’s not right for everyone, says urologist Andrew Sun, M.D.
Many men seek alternatives to Viagra for a host of reasons, both medical and personal. Some guys have certain health issues that preclude the use of Viagra, including heart conditions that require they take nitrate medication, such as nitroglycerin. For them, taking Viagra could cause their blood pressure to drop to dangerously low levels, according to the Mayo Clinic.
For other men, Viagra just doesn’t work. According to AARP, the manufacturers of Viagra claim the drug is 70-85% effective, but research shows its effectiveness to be more in the 50-60% range.
Some men have side effects when taking Viagra, including headaches, upset stomach, nausea, back pain, and muscle pain; they may want to opt for a more natural ED treatment. Finally, there are guys who want to avoid any sort of pill altogether, and instead look to devices to help strengthen their erections, Dr. Sun says.
Feel like you fall into one of those groups? Here are some clinically-proven Viagra alternatives to help treat ED.
1. Cialis / Levitra / Stendra
Viagra is one of four medications in the class known as phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, all of which act on the same biochemical pathway, explains Sun. “Cialis is probably the second most commonly prescribed drug and can be taken as a daily pill, which allows for more spontaneity with sex,” he says. This contrasts Viagra, where you have to time when you think you’re having sex, as it can take 30-60 minutes for the medication to take effect.
While very similar to Viagra, Levitra and Stendra also have slightly different advantages and disadvantages when it comes to side effect profile. If you tried Viagra and had nasty side effects, it may be worth speaking to your doctor about trying one of the other two medications.
2. L-Citrulline and L-Arginine Supplements
There are two naturally occurring amino acids, L-Citrulline and L-Arginine, that are widely available as an over-the-counter supplement. “These amino acids can help promote nitric oxide formation, the key molecule used to generate an erection,” explains Sun.
If you’re looking for a natural, non-prescription supplement, you may benefit from these. There are, of course, a lot of bogus supplements out there, but one effective enhancement supplement is VitaFLUX from Promescent. The two main ingredients in VitaFLUX are L-Citrulline (2,000 mg per daily dose) and L-Arginine (1,000 mg per daily dose).
3. Vacuum Erection Device (VED)
None other than Austin Powers popularized VEDs (more commonly referred to as penis pumps). Sun notes that VEDs come in all shapes and sizes, from simple manual pumps to fancy electronic versions. Here’s how a penis pump works: By generating negative pressure in a chamber, it pulls blood into the penis, creating an erection. Often these are paired with a penile constriction ring to keep the blood in after using the pump, explains Sun. If you’re looking for a non-medication based solution, VED is a solid option. “Many sexual medicine experts will also utilize VEDs to prevent scarring of the penis (called corporal fibrosis) in patients with longstanding erectile dysfunction,” Sun says.
4. Low-Intensity Shockwave Therapy (LISWT)
A relatively new technology, low-intensity shock wave therapy delivers energy pulses to the penis in an effort to treat erectile dysfunction. This is non-invasive, painless, and quick, which makes it attractive to many men. (Read a first-hand story about LISWT
here!) “However, it should be noted that the scientific data on the effectiveness of LISWT is mixed, and therefore still evolving,” says Sun. “In Europe, LISWT is recommended for the treatment of mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction, however here in the United States, it is still considered an experimental therapy until more conclusive research is done.”
5. Intracavernosal Injections (ICI)
“A longstanding treatment for ED that dates back to 1980s, are these injections of medications using a tiny needle directly into the side of the penis to generate an erection,” Dr. Sun says. “Men looking for the most definitive form of medical therapy for erections will often look to ICI.”
One of the most popular ICIs is called TriMix. “Proper dosing is essential, as taking too much can cause a serious problem called priapism, when an erection lasts too long and is a medical emergency,” Dr. Sun adds. (Think the Viagra commercials when they tell you to seek medical help if your erection lasts for more than four hours.)
ICI should only be prescribed by a physician with experience in treating men with sexual dysfunction, Sun warns. While highly effective, there is one big downside: You have to inject your penis with a tiny needle.
6. Intraurethral Alprostadil
Another direct-to-penis therapy, similar to ICI, is Intraurethral Alprostadil. It includes a variety of suppositories, pellets, and gels that are inserted into the urethra, delivering medication directly into the penis to help get you hard. Intraurethral Alprostadil is another vasodilator that can expand blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the penis, thereby causing an erection, explains Mayo Clinic.
7. Penile Prosthesis
It’s certainly not for everyone. but it is 100% effective when it comes to generating an erection. This is a mechanical pump placed inside the penis through a minimally invasive surgery which usually takes under an hour. “Though it does require surgery, for the right man who is looking for a definitive therapy, or who cannot tolerate or has failed the other therapies listed above, this can be a great option to restore a normal sex life,” Sun says.
