Which is the best erectile dysfunction treatment?

Erectile dysfunction is a common condition that men may experience at some point in their lives. If you’re struggling to achieve an erection or maintain one during sex, there are plenty of erectile dysfunction treatments available. Viagra is the most well-known, but other treatments can also be effective.

What treatments are available for erectile dysfunction?

There are a range of different treatments for erectile dysfunction, depending on your unique situation. Some people prefer oral medication, while others may prefer to use topical treatments like creams. If you have other health conditions such as diabetes, options like Levitra (Vardenafil) might be best. You should discuss different Erectile Dysfunction treatments with your GP, or you can begin an online consultation. Our clinicians will review your answers to help you find which treatment is right for you.

The most common treatments for erectile dysfunction include:

Sildenafil (Viagra)
Tadalafil (Cialis)
Levitra (Vardenafil)
Spedra (Avanafil)
Cream (Vitaros)

How do erectile dysfunction treatments work?

ED treatments like Viagra and Cialis work by relaxing the muscles in the blood vessels that supply the penis. This helps increase blood flow to the penis to aid and maintain an erection.

Creams are also available. You may prefer a topical treatment rather than a tablet. Vitaros is a cream that relaxes the blood vessels in the penis to help you maintain an erection.

All types of erectile dysfunction drugs need sexual stimulus to work. They can’t cause an erection on their own.

What are the differences between erectile dysfunction treatments?

Erectile dysfunction medications all work to help you to achieve and maintain an erection alongside sexual stimulation. No Erectile Dysfunction treatment is more powerful than another, but there can be differences in how quickly they begin to work and how long they stay effective.

Cialis vs Viagra

Cialis (branded tadalafil) and Viagra (branded sildenafil) take the same time to work - both work within one hour. Tadalafil is the active ingredient in Cialis and sildenafil is the active ingredient in Viagra.

The effects of Cialis can last up to 36 hours. This doesn’t mean you’ll have an erection for this amount of time, but Cialis will be active in your system for this time. Allowing you to get an erection if you’re sexually stimulated. Whereas the effects of Viagra last 4-5 hours.

Viagra vs Viagra Connect

Viagra is only available with a prescription, and you might be prescribed a 25mg, 50mg or 100mg dosage depending on your situation. You can buy Viagra Connect over the counter without a prescription, and it’s only available in a 50mg dosage. You’ll still need to answer some questions to make sure it’s safe for you to take.

Start an online consultation or speak to your GP about whether Viagra or Viagra Connect is best for you. A pharmacist can also make sure Viagra Connect is an option for you.

Topical ED treatments

If tablets aren’t for you, you might choose to use a topical treatment like a cream to help you get an erection. Similarly to tablets like Cialis and Viagra, creams can help to relax the blood vessels in the penis to increase blood flow.

Which ED treatment is the most effective?

Some men react better to one active ingredient than another. You may need to try an erectile dysfunction treatment 8 times before seeking a higher dose or different treatment. So be patient and speak to your clinician if you’re not getting the results you expected.

If you experience adverse side effects from oral medication, cream or gel that you can apply directly to the penis might be the best option for you. It’s important to remember that erectile dysfunction treatments work alongside sexual stimulation - tablets and creams won’t work on their own.

Our clinicians can help you find the right treatment for you. Start an online consultation today to review different medications for erectile dysfunction, or speak to your GP about which is best for you.

How to take erectile dysfunction (ED) treatments

There are lots of different ways to take ED treatments, depending on the type you choose and your needs. Decide on the best treatment with your GP or one of our clinicians, and always read the leaflet before you start any new medicine.

For example, you should take Viagra on an empty stomach at least one hour before you plan to have sex. Eating before taking Viagra or many other ED treatments can make it take longer to work.

However, you can take Cialis before or after eating, as little as 30 minutes before you plan to have sex. For low dose daily treatments like Cialis Daily, take one tablet per day and you can have sex at any time as long as you’re sexually aroused.

Topical treatments can be faster than tablets. Vitaros can help you achieve an erection in between 5-30 minutes.

What to expect when you start taking erectile dysfunction (ED) treatments

You may not respond to your ED treatment the first time you try it. It is recommended that you try taking the treatment up to eight times to see if it works.

If you don’t see any results, you may need to increase the dose or switch to a different treatment. If you’re using an Online Doctor service, you can message the team in your Patient Record for more advice. Or speak to your doctor.

What are the side effects of erectile dysfunction (ED) treatments

As with any medication, you may experience side effects when taking erectile dysfunction treatments. For example, common Cialis side effects include headaches, indigestion, stomach cramps, back pain, flushing, and nasal congestion. Common Viagra side effects include headaches, nausea, indigestion, blocked nose, and dizziness.

Common side effects of topical treatments like Vitaros include itching, irritation and burning at the site of application. If you use a topical treatment, check the ingredients to make sure you or your partner don’t have any allergies.

Who can use erectile dysfunction (ED) treatments?

Erectile dysfunction treatments can only be used by men. ED treatments can only be prescribed to men over the age of 18. They cannot be prescribed to a partner of someone experiencing ED.

Only take ED medications that have been prescribed for you. Our clinicians or your GP can help determine the cause of erectile dysfunction and recommend the best drug and dosage. ED treatments may not be suitable for some patients who are on certain medications or for patients with a heart condition. Speak to the clinicians to determine if the treatment would be suitable.

Looking for the best erectile dysfunction treatment?

Go to our ED service

Considerations before trying ED treatments

There are lots of things to consider when comparing erectile dysfunction treatments, including dose, safety, and how long the effects last. You’ll also need to take your own health into account, things like blood pressure and any health conditions can influence which treatment is best for you.

Are ED treatments interchangeable?

ED treatments are not interchangeable and you should only use one ED treatment at a time. Always discuss new treatment with your doctor or one of our clinicians, and always read the leaflet before you try any new medicine.