While age alone doesn’t directly cause sexual performance issues, it is a factor in your risk for developing erectile dysfunction (ED) and other performance issues like premature ejaculation (PE).
Some estimates suggest that with every decade of life, your risk of ED happening increases by ten percentage points: 40% of guys in their 40s will deal with ED; 70% of men in their 70’s.
It’s perfectly normal for erections, orgasms, sensation, and ejaculation to change as we grow older, but it’s also not just an older man’s issue. Younger men deal with true performance issues, like ED, and performance anxiety as well.
Sex pills. That’s often the first thing young and old men alike punch into their web browser when issues arise in the bedroom. And while “sex pills” effectively captures the end-goal – improving sex! – the variety (and effectiveness) of pills for sex varies meaningfully.
Here, we ignore the noise and cut through the clutter to discuss five of the top FDA-approved, proven, and thoroughly vetted sex pills for men.
(Hint: this is the good stuff.)
Viagra® - The Most Popular Sex Pill Ever
The original erectile dysfunction treatment is still the best. Well, it’s the most popular.
Viagra® (sildenafil) first hit the market in 1998 and quickly became one of the world’s most popular drugs. It works rapidly, it’s taken on-demand in the hour before sex (as-needed), and it’s been proven in large research studies and decades of real-world use to work for most guys – producing strong, firm erections.
The name Viagra has become ubiquitous with sex, and these blue, diamond-shaped tablets are unmistakable compared to other medications.
A typical starting Viagra dose is 50 milligrams, but Viagra also comes in 25 milligram and 100 milligram doses.
It generally works within 30-60 minutes after ingestion, but large or fatty meals can change absorption and effectiveness. It’s best to take Viagra on an empty stomach or close to empty, and users will want to avoid heavy or fatty meals prior to taking Viagra.
(Here’s what to know about recreational Viagra use.)
Cialis® - The Favorite Sex Pill For Those In The Know
Approved a few years after Viagra, Cialis® (tadalafil) went on sale in 2003. It quickly became Viagra’s chief rival, with marketing messaging highlighting Cialis' ability to act for as long as 36 hours (and sometimes longer) compared to Viagra’s 4-6 hour window for use.
Cialis is a one-of-a-kind erectile dysfunction treatment. Generally taken on-demand, like Viagra, it’s boner-producing effects can last much longer, even beyond a day. That means more time and flexibility regarding when you get intimate.
Cialis is available in four doses. Patients take larger 10 milligram and 20 milligram doses as needed, similar to Viagra, but the effects can last for up to 36 hours.
Patients can also take smaller 2.5 milligram and 5 milligram doses daily. If you live a spontaneous lifestyle or don’t enjoy planning your sexual activities, Cialis is an easy option.
Interestingly, some research suggests that men and their partners who have tried both Viagra and Cialis tend to prefer Cialis.
Sertraline - The Lesser-Known Endurance-Enhancer
Zoloft’s® active ingredient sertraline is an antidepressant, but delayed orgasms are a common sertraline side effect and side effect of other medications like it, called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
This means SSRIs can effectively treat premature ejaculation and improve sexual stamina for some men.
Sertraline is not, however, approved as a premature ejaculation drug. It is used off-label by doctors who understand the medication.
Numerous studies have demonstrated this ability, with sertraline significantly extending the average ejaculatory time in men with premature ejaculation. In the study above, a sertraline dose of 25 milligrams caused average ejaculation to extend from one minute to seven minutes and 40 seconds; 50 milligrams extended ejaculation to 13 minutes and six seconds; and 100 milligrams extended ejaculation to 16 minutes and 24 seconds.
No medications are approved for PE in the United States, but sertraline is used commonly off-label to help guys last longer in bed.
Levitra® - The Powerful Runner-Up
Levitra® (vardenafil) is another Viagra successor that hit the market in 2003, months before Cialis was approved by the FDA.
Like the other erectile dysfunction pills above, Levitra is also a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. These drugs enhance the effects of natural chemical messengers released during arousal to dilate your blood vessels and relax penis muscles and tissues. This leads to increased blood flow and a stronger, more easily maintained erection. PDE5 inhibitors are quite effective as a class.
Levitra may work more slowly than Viagra, but may also have fewer side effects for some men. If you experience side effects while taking Viagra, your doctor may suggest trying Cialis or Levitra.
Levitra is available in 2.5, 5, 10, and 20milligram doses for on-demand use. Unlike Cialis, none of these doses are intended to be used daily like low-dose Cialis, and Levitra is taken an hour before sexual activity.
Sildenafil - Cheap, Effective, Fast
We’ve cheated a little here.
Sildenafil is the active ingredient in Viagra, but up until a few years ago it wasn’t available as a generic.
Now, generic sildenafil is widely available from a variety of generic drug manufacturers. It is identical in its effectiveness and dosage to the branded version of Viagra. Other than name and color, generic sildenafil works the same way – it’s just MUCH cheaper.
When a drug is first approved by the FDA, pharmaceutical companies have exclusive rights to the formula for a certain time period. Once patents expire and a period of government-mandated exclusivity expires, other drug manufacturers create generic versions.
Generic sildenafil has been available since its patents expired, and these generic versions are just as effective as Viagra at a fraction of the cost.
Are There Natural Ways To Improve Erections?
Taking any of these great sex pills can help improve sexual function, but there are alternatives to oral medications that can help too.
Lifestyle changes can help naturally strengthen your erections and improve wellbeing at the same time, and while the following may take some time before you see results, they’re great alternative approaches to tackling ED.
Get More Exercise
Erections occur due to a steady flow of blood to your penis provided by your cardiovascular system – your penis holds 5-7 times its normal blood volume during an erection.
The stronger your cardiovascular system, the better your blood flow.
Try to get four 40-minute sessions of moderate exercise each week. Cardio-centric exercises like walking, running, and cycling can help, and many men recognize improved erections within months of beginning a quality exercise routine.
Eat A More Balanced Diet
In many cases, erection or sexual difficulties result from an underlying medical condition that affects the circulatory system.
High blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity can lead to severely reduced erection strength.
Eating fewer foods high in fat, sugar, and sodium can help reduce the odds of developing these issues. Replace these foods with more fruit, vegetables, fish, and whole grains to give your body the right fuels.
Improve Your Weight
Men with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30 are three times more likely to experience erectile dysfunction than men with a BMI of 25 or lower.
Losing weight to reduce your BMI (a measure of weight for your height and age) can serve as a proxy to reduce the risk of developing ED and other sexual dysfunctions like PE.
Eliminate Your Worst Habits
You’re probably aware that smoking can damage your brain, heart, and lungs, but it also causes circulatory problems.
For these reasons, smoking is the leading cause of erectile dysfunction in men under the age of 40.
Alcohol can also contribute to sexual issues, and drinking to excess is a known cause of erectile dysfunction. Alcohol thins your blood and damages your nervous system, leading to difficulties becoming stimulated enough to keep an erection.
Drink in moderation and quit smoking to improve your health and reduce your risk of ED and PE.
The Takeaway
If you’re having trouble in the bedroom, skip the “performance” supplements.
Go with the real deal: the top sex pills are FDA-approved, proven, and you can get them online thanks to Rex MD.
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