Having an alcoholic beverage can make you feel more relaxed, which helps some people get in the mood to have sex. However, alcohol is a sedative, so heavy drinking can make you too sleepy to perform.
Erectile Dysfunction Symptoms
The symptoms of erectile dysfunction can vary from person to person. If you have ED, you might:
- Be unable to get an erection at all
- Get an erection sometimes
- Have trouble keeping an erection long enough for sex
- Lack desire for sex
Drinking a lot of alcohol can also slow the flow of messages from the brain down the spinal cord. That’s why having too many drinks makes you clumsy, but it can also cause ED. Long-term, heavy drinking can also lower levels of testosterone, the male hormone, which is necessary to achieve and maintain an erection.
Pills for Erectile Dysfunction
There are several oral medications approved to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). These pills, known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, work by enhancing the effects of nitric oxide, a natural chemical the body produces to relax the muscles in the penis. This increases blood flow, making it easier to achieve and maintain an erection in response to sexual stimulation.
Here are the most common medications:
1. Sildenafil (Viagra)
- Brand Name: Viagra
- How It Works: Starts working within 30–60 minutes; effective for 4–6 hours.
- Key Facts:
- Best taken on an empty stomach.
- Requires sexual stimulation to be effective.
- Side Effects: Headache, flushing, upset stomach, nasal congestion, vision changes (e.g., blue tinge).
2. Tadalafil (Cialis)
- Brand Name: Cialis
- How It Works: Takes effect in 30 minutes; lasts up to 36 hours (“the weekend pill”).
- Key Facts:
- Can be taken daily in a lower dose or as needed.
- Offers more spontaneity due to its longer duration.
- Side Effects: Muscle pain, headache, back pain, flushing.
3. Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn)
- Brand Names: Levitra, Staxyn
- How It Works: Starts working in about 1 hour; lasts 4–6 hours.
- Key Facts:
- Available as a tablet or a dissolvable form (Staxyn).
- Works best on an empty stomach.
- Side Effects: Dizziness, flushing, headache, nasal congestion.
4. Avanafil (Stendra)
- Brand Name: Stendra
- How It Works: Works within 15–30 minutes; lasts up to 6 hours.
- Key Facts:
- Faster onset than others in this class.
- Can be taken with food.
- Side Effects: Flushing, headache, nasal congestion, back pain.
Considerations
- Prescription Required: All these medications require a doctor’s prescription.
- Not for Everyone:
- Should not be used by men taking nitrates for heart conditions (can cause dangerous drops in blood pressure).
- Avoid if you have severe liver or kidney problems, recent stroke, or heart attack.
- Interactions: Avoid alcohol and grapefruit juice as they can interfere with effectiveness.
Other Options
- If pills aren’t effective or suitable, alternatives include:
- Injection therapies (e.g., alprostadil).
- Vacuum erection devices.
- Penile implants.
- Lifestyle changes: Reducing smoking, alcohol, and improving exercise.
Consult a healthcare professional to determine the best treatment for your condition and ensure safety.