How to Choose the Right ED Meds Online: A Comprehensive Guide

Key takeaways:

• Estimates suggest that by 2025, 322 million men across the world will have erectile dysfunction (ED)
• ED pills have a 70% to 80% success rate. They work by improving blood flow to the penis and thereby causing an erection 
• You can order Viagra, Cialis, Vilitra, and other ED medicines online.

Erectile dysfunction is a common sexual health problem impacting the lives of millions of men around the world. It damages a man’s performance in bed, confidence, and overall happiness.

Fortunately, a lot of different treatments are available to help with ED.

But with so many options to choose from, people often get confused when buying ED meds online. Here’s a clear and quick guide to help you choose the best medication for erectile dysfunction.

What is erectile dysfunction (ED)?

Before exploring ED medications, we should have a better understanding of what ED is. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when a person can’t get or keep an erection that is strong enough for sex. It’s also sometimes known as “impotence”.  

Almost every man experiences erection problems at some point or the other. Most of the time, this issue will go away on its own. However, if it’s been happening for a long time, e.g., for several days or weeks, it may be ED. 

As per the latest estimates, 30 million men in the U.S. have ED. It can happen to any man at any age. So take comfort in knowing that you are not the only person dealing with it.

ED can happen for many reasons, e.g., stress, heart problems, blood pressure, diabetes, and relationship problems, among others. Whatever the cause, there are ED medication options that can help you get a hard erection.

Types of ED medications: a quick comparison 

There are many different treatments for erectile dysfunction. These include pills, devices (e.g., penis ring and vacuum pump), supplements, counseling, and lifestyle changes. 

Oral medications or pills are often the first treatment given for ED. There are two main categories of oral ED meds: 

1. prescription 

2. non-prescription.

Prescription medications:

• Sildenafil: Taken usually 30-60 minutes before sex. Its effects may last for 4-6 hours. The ingredient is available under popular brand names, e.g., Viagra, Vega, Cialis, Cenforce, Kamagra, Aurogra, Fildena, Suhagra, etc.
• Tadalafil: Tadalafil has a long duration of effect (up to 36 hours). It may be suitable for younger men who have ED. It’s sold under brand names like Cialis, Tadarise, Vidalista, Tadaga, Forzest, Tadacip, etc.
• Avanafil: It may work more quickly than the other ED meds, with its effects starting within 15-30 minutes. It can work for 6-10 hours. Available under the brand name Avana.
• Vardenafil: This drug starts working within 30-60 minutes and may last for 4-5 hours. Some common brand names are Levitra, Vilitra, Super Vilitra, Snovitra

These are also known as PDE5 inhibitor medications. They work by improving the blood supply to the penis. As a result, the penis becomes erect and strong. This can make sex more satisfying for a man and his partner. 

As mentioned above, the same medications can have different brand names. For example, sildenafil citrate is the citrate salt form of sildenafil. It’s the active ingredient in Pfizer Viagra and also in its generic version, sildenafil.

Non-prescription (over-the-counter) medications:

• Supplements: Several over-the-counter ED meds may improve sexual functions in men. Some examples are DHEA, L-citrulline, L-arginine, Ginkgo biloba, and Ginseng.
• Over-the-counter ED pills: Some pills are sold as “herbal remedies” or natural Viagra alternatives. They may contain the substances mentioned above or other natural ingredients like pills. 

So, prescription medications vs over-the-counter pills — what’s more effective for ED?

You can buy prescription medicines only with a doctor’s prescription. They are approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). So, these are proven ways to treat and manage erectile dysfunction. 

On the other hand, over-the-counter ED pills or supplements can be purchased without a doctor’s prescription. So they are more easily available to anyone. Even so, there have not been enough studies to confirm their benefits on ED. The FDA does not regulate these herbal remedies, so you can’t be sure what ingredients are in them. So, use caution if you wish to buy them.

As we can see, Viagra and other prescription medications are a clear winner. However, it’s still important to figure out which brand-name prescription drug will be right for you.

How to choose a reliable online pharmacy

To check if it’s a safe and legal online drugstore, follow these steps:

1. Check if they have a pharmacy license. 

2. Make sure they ask for a valid prescription before you place an order

3. Find out if they are using secure payment methods.

4. Ask about their policies on data and privacy.

5. Confirm if they have a valid physical street address in the U.S. that you can verify. 

6. Ensure they offer 24×7 customer support. 

7. Look up the drugs and manufacturers that you find on the pharmacy website. Are they good brands? Are the companies reputable and reliable?   

8. Check for too-good-to-be-true deals and discounts. Discounts are not always wrong. But if they offer meager prices, then it’s a medical store you should avoid. 

Make sure you tick all these boxes while choosing safe online pharmacies.

What if ED meds don’t work?

Sildenafil and other PDE5 inhibitors are used as the “first-line therapy” for ED. This means they are usually doctors’ first choice for the treatment of weak erections. So, it is very likely that the prescribed ED drug will work for you. 

However, in some situations, it may not work for you. For example, if you are not using the medications as directed. Also, ED pills can’t help if you have ED due to anxiety/other mental health problems.

If you don’t see any improvements in erectile function after using ED meds, inform your doctor. They may suggest other options to treat your ED: 

• VED (Vacuum Erection Device) or penile pump
• testosterone replacement therapy
• penis injections
• penile implant or penile prosthesis

So, is ED curable permanently? Honestly, it’s not. But the symptoms can be treated. With the right kind of medicine, it is possible to get relief and improve your sex life.  You can also enhance ED with lifestyle changes like eating well and having enough physical activities.

Conclusion

When you buy erectile dysfunction drugs online, it’s essential to compare the relevant options. Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Start thinking positively and have faith in healthcare. In no time, you’ll improve your ED and sexual health.  

If you need more help to choose the best medicine for erectile dysfunction, chat with us. Share details about your condition, preferences, and available budget. Our team of staff and healthcare professionals will be happy to advise you.

References

Definition & Facts for Erectile Dysfunction. (2022). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/erectile-dysfunction/definition-facts

Eardley, I., Ellis, P., Boolell, M., & Wulff, M. (2002). Onset and duration of action of sildenafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. BJCP. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology/British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 53(s1). https://doi.org/10.1046/j.0306-5251.2001.00034

Coward, R., & Carson, C. (2008). Tadalafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management, Volume 4, 1315–1329. https://doi.org/10.2147/tcrm.s3336

Hellstrom, W., Katz, E., Tan, R., & Rittenberg, D. (2014). Avanafil for erectile dysfunction in elderly and younger adults: differential pharmacology and clinical utility. Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management, 701. https://doi.org/10.2147/tcrm.s57610

Huang, S. A., & Lie, J. D. (2013). Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors in the management of erectile dysfunction. PubMed Central (PMC). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3776492/Petre, G. C., Francini-Pesenti, F., Vitagliano, A., Grande, G., Ferlin, A., & Garolla, A. (2023). Dietary Supplements for Erectile Dysfunction: Analysis of Marketed Products, Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Rational Use. Nutrients, 15(17), 3677. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15173677