Every man will experience a time when he cannot get or maintain an erection. That does not mean erectile dysfunction is the problem.

In fact, it is normal for a man to have trouble maintaining an erection during twenty percent of all his sexual encounters. There is no cause to worry unless that number approaches or exceeds fifty percent.

Whether you suspect erectile dysfunction or not, talk to your doctor for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If your doctor thinks that treatment might be necessary, there are plenty of options.

What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?

When blood cannot flow into the penis effectively enough to cause rigidity, erectile dysfunction is suspected. The causes are not always medical or physical. Sometimes they are psychological or emotional but some common causes include:

• smoking
• drug and alcohol use
• diabetes
• obesity
• heart conditions, including high cholesterol, heart disease, and blocked blood vessels
• low metabolism
• medications, including blood pressure control
• scar tissue or other penile injuries
• sleep disorders
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• emotional or psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, and relationship issues

The cause of ED will guide your healthcare provider toward a treatment option. It may include the services of a counselor who can address emotional or psychological issues appropriately. Sleep disorders may require further investigation as well.

Who Is At Risk?

Risk factors for developing erectile dysfunction include:

1.      Age – While younger men can experience erectile dysfunction, it is more prevalent among older men.

2.      Obesity – About seventy-nine percent of men who suffer from ED have a body mass index that is greater than 25.

3.      Diabetes – Circulatory issues and nerve damage can cause ED problems.

4.      Depression – There is a strong relationship between depression and ED.

5.      Other health issues- Conditions like heart disease, and low testosterone can all contribute to ED. Physical inactivity might also contribute to ED.

Any man can suffer from one or more of these conditions without experiencing ED but these conditions indicate that ED could be an existing condition or a future problem.

What Are the Treatment Options?

By identifying the underlying cause, your doctor can recommend one or more courses of treatment which include:

• lifestyle changes – losing weight, quitting smoking, and exercising
• couple counseling
• physical therapy
• injections, suppositories, or penile implants
• oral ED medications like Cialis and Viagra
• surgery

Some people prefer alternative medicines such as herbal supplements and acupuncture. However, there is no substantial proof that they are reliable to treat ED. Your doctor can guide you toward the safest measures if you are interested in alternative treatments.

Cialis and Viagra are two of the most common oral medications for erectile dysfunction.

Viagra’s Intriguing History

Viagra was not originally developed to treat ED. The research began in 1996 at Pfizer’s laboratories. The drug, known as sildenafil, was tested in patients who suffered from high blood pressure and chest pain associated with heart disease. The drug did not act as anticipated. Instead, it was proven to be more effective at causing erections.

By the year 1998, Viagra had been approved by the FDA for use in the treatment of ED. Pfizer’s drug was successful, just not in the way they expected.

The Origins of Cialis

Tadalafil, or Cialis, was developed by the Eli Lilly Corporation and approved for use by the FDA in 2011. Cialis treats ED and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This occurs when the urine flow is obstructed by the enlargement of the prostate gland.

Cialis Vs. Viagra: How Do These Drugs Work?

Cialis and Viagra are known as vasodilators. They have a component that blocks enzymes called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5 Inhibitors). These relax the blood vessels and allow effective blood flow into the heart and other areas of the body, including the penis.

Viagra and Cialis are both considered to be safe for use by men who have high blood pressure. These drugs are medically reviewed by doctors.

Mild Side Effects

Both Cialis and Viagra cause side effects. There are slight differences with each medication but in general, the side effects are the same.

Common side effects are mild, which include:

• upset stomach or indigestion
• blushing
• headache
• nasal congestion or stuffy nose
• back pain
• blurry or bluish vision, sensitivity to light, or other temporary changes
• muscle pain
• nausea
• rash
• Dizziness

If these do not go away within a few days to a few weeks and become severe, report them to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious Side Effects

The following side effects of Viagra and Cialis are more serious and should be reported to your doctor immediately. If the condition is severe, 911 should be called for immediate assistance.

• An eye condition called NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy) can cause damage to the optic nerve. Its symptoms are sudden decrease or loss of vision in one or both eyes.
• A sudden decrease or loss of hearing due to dizziness with a ringing in the ears.
• Allergic reactions.
• Low blood pressure. This can be an indication of an adverse drug interaction.
• Priapism is an unusually long-lasting and often painful erection. This requires immediate treatment if the erection has lasted longer than four hours. This condition can damage tissues inside the penis and cause irreversible erectile dysfunction.
• Irregular heartbeat, stroke, or heart attack warrant a call to 911. These reactions mainly occur when the patient taking the Viagra already has a heart condition or disease.

Viagra Dosage and Usage Guidelines

Viagra comes in pill form and is taken orally. It comes in 25 mg, and 100 mg doses with 50 mg as the most common. The doctor decides the dose and bases the decision on several factors including:

• age
• the existence of kidney or liver problems
• any other medical conditions
• other medications

The dose should only be taken as prescribed by the doctor. Taking extra can cause adverse symptoms or a medical emergency.

You can take the pill anytime from 30 minutes to four hours before sexual activity on an empty stomach. Viagra (sildenafil) can take effect within 1 hour.

Remember, take Viagra once per day. Also, avoid taking Viagra after a high-fat meal because of delayed effect or worst ineffectiveness.

Cialis Dosage and Usage Guidelines

Often, the doctor uses the same criteria to determine the dose. The dose will also depend on what condition it is being treated. Cialis is made in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg amounts. It also comes in pill form and is to be swallowed.

For benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the recommended dose is 5mg to be taken once per day. Cialis (tadalafil) is most effective when taken consistently at the same time each day, even without food prior to taking.

For erectile dysfunction, the most common dose is 10 mg taken before sexual activity. This amount can be adjusted by the doctor if responsiveness to the drug is too strong or not strong enough. The maximum amount of Cialis that can be taken is 20 mg once per day.

Cialis can be taken as needed for ED but exceeding the dosage amount is not recommended. It has been known to remain effective for up to 36 hours during clinical trials.

Sex can be exhilarating, fun, and adventurous, but that does not mean that ED drugs should be taken recreationally or to increase the enjoyment of other activities. The side effects of Cialis may be too great.

Key Differences

Cialis and Viagra treat erectile dysfunction in much the same way. They belong to a class of drugs called PDE5 Inhibitors. But, these PDE5 Inhibitors have a few differences.

The first main difference is the duration of effectiveness. Cialis can continue to work for as long as two days after one dose is consumed. It has been given the nickname “the weekend pill” by users and the media for this reason.

Viagra, on the other hand, has a shorter duration of only five to six hours, but the effects can begin to wear off as soon as three or four hours.

The second main difference is that Cialis can also be used to treat BPH. For men who suffer from enlarged prostate glands that affect and weaken the urine stream, Cialis can be a game-changer.

Where to Get Cialis and Viagra?

Viagra and Cialis are available by prescription from your healthcare provider. They are required to be regulated by the Food and Drug Administration because both pose risks of drug interactions and side effects.  These may be harmful to certain users.

You can get black-market versions of these drugs that cost a lot less, but they are not produced under the same FDA regulations. Thus, these non-FDA versions may be harmful or fatal if not taken correctly under the direction of a physician.

Generic versions of Cialis and Viagra are also available. They cost less and are safe to take. A doctor or pharmacist can give you the generic if you prefer.

Cost Differences of Cialis and Viagra

The costs of Cialis Vs Viagra vary widely from generic to name brand, from dose to dose, and from Canada to the United States. The following figures were provided by canadadrugsdirect.com.

Product	Canadian Price	US Pharmacy Price
Brand Cialis 5 mg	$4.20 per tablet	$13.00 per tablet
Brand Cialis 10 mg	$16.00 per tablet	$70.00 per tablet
Brand Cialis 20 mg	$17.00 per tablet	$73.00 per tablet
Generic Cialis 5 mg	$3.50 per tablet	$10.50 per tablet
Generic Cialis 10 mg	$12.00 per tablet	$52.00 per tablet
Generic Cialis 20 mg	$2.00 per tablet	$52.00 per tablet

According to Drugwatch.com, a 100 mg pill of brand name Viagra costs $58.82 in the United States. The same pill costs only $10.77 in Canada.

Based on these figures, regardless of whether the generic or the brand name is purchased, the prices are clearly lower in Canada.

Which is Best: Cialis or Viagra?

The answer lies with each individual patient and the recommendation from a health care provider.

If a patient is healthy enough to have sex and only wants or needs a medication that will last a shorter duration, then Viagra is the better option.

If a patient suffers from BPH, then Cialis is the better choice. It is not necessary that erectile dysfunction is present since BPH can be treated alone or with ED.

For patients who want a longer window of sexual activity, then Cialis is the best choice. It can continue to assist erectile function for as long as 36 hours with only one dose. This drug is also available in varied doses and in generic and brand name form.

Cialis or Viagra medications have proven to be effective and are popular treatments for erectile dysfunction. Both have been safe to use when taken in the proper dosage and according to the guidelines.

Only a health care provider can prescribe these PDE5 Inhibitors to a patient. Often, health issues are the deciding factors for proper medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment. If the cost of Cialis or Viagra is a concern, you can always opt for a generic name as opposed to paying for the branded prescription drugs.

Lastly, remember to ask about alpha-blockers or tell your doctors about other medications that could cause drug interactions. Cialis and Viagra are generally effective but contraindications from other drugs could render these PDE5 Inhibitor drugs ineffective.

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