You’re Spending Too Much Money On ED Meds

A Growing Problem

Have you ever seen those commercials with the men with white hair sitting on the edge of the bed with their head hung low? Their wife sitting next to them, lovingly, but unsatisfied. You probably recognize these commercials as advertising for erectile dysfunction treatment options.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a medical term that describes the inability to achieve and/or maintain adequate sexual function. This condition is one of the most common sexual problems for men and increases with age. It is estimated that between 15 to 30 million American men suffer from ED.

According to a study from the Journal of Sexual Medicine, one out of every four erectile dysfunction patients is under 40 years old. Awareness of ED is growing, but unfortunately, so is the number of ED cases. ED rates have increased during the last twenty to thirty years, especially among younger men.

A Mind of Its Own

Most people, men included, tend to think achieving an erection is simple. However, achieving an erection is a complex process involving psychological impulses from the brain, adequate levels of the male sex hormone testosterone, a functioning nervous system, and adequate and healthy vascular tissue in the penis. Since the process for an erection is so complex, the number of factors for ED causes is high.

The diagnosis of ED for most patients requires a simple medical history, physical examination, and routine blood tests. However, most patients do not require extensive testing before beginning treatment. Hopefully, with just a few tests, we can suss out the ED causes you are dealing with. Then we can move forward with the best erectile dysfunction treatment options suited to your needs.

Erectile Dysfunction Treatment Options

Most men are treated with erectile dysfunction treatment options in the form of medications called PDE-5 Inhibitors, which is just a fancy name for the class of drugs most commonly used: Viagra, Cialis, Levitra and Staxyn.

Cialis and Viagra now come in generic forms called Tadalafil (Cialis) Sildenafil (Viagra), both of which are available at the Austin Urology Institute. All of these medications work by increasing blood flow to the penis and maintaining that blood flow long enough for intercourse. These medications are typically taken 30 minutes before intercourse.

You’ve probably seen enough commercials by now to know that if your erection lasts for more than four hours, this isn’t a blessing from the testosterone gods, and that you should call your physician. Common side effects include headache, muscle ache, and nasal congestion. The drugs boost the natural signals that are generated during sex, thereby improving and prolonging the erection itself. They are safe and most men are able to use them. They typically improve erections in about 80% of patients.

Gradual Methods

There is also a low dose of Cialis 5mg or the generic version, Tadalafil, which is taken daily or every other day. We often refer to this as the “baby aspirin” of the oral ED medications, since blood flow is increased to the penis little by little every day. This allows you to achieve an erection when you want to, instead of taking a pill 30 minutes before intercourse.

Since the half-life of Cialis 5mg is 36 hours, it is still effective if you take it every other day. This is a great option as far as erectile dysfunction treatment options go since you don’t have to plan ahead of time.

As a patient of Austin Urology Institute, the ability to have these medications prescribed discreetly, easily, and in an affordable manner, just became easier. The most well studied and effective PDE-5 drugs, Viagra and Cialis are both now in generic form. This means your erectile dysfunction treatment options don’t have to be limited by price.

Tadalafil (Cialis) is now offered through Austin Urology Institute as an effective generic alternative to Cialis. It comes in a rapid dissolve formulation, making it even more effective as it bypasses the GI tract and gets into the system faster.

The Final Solution

No more ordering from sketchy websites or overseas. As a patient of Dr. Shaw’s, you can order directly through our office and have the medication delivered to your door, oftentimes at a lower cost than the pharmacy.

If you’re interested in learning more about erectile dysfunction treatment options, call our office, Austin Urology Institute, at 512-694-8888 and schedule an appointment with one of our providers.