What can you buy over the counter for erectile dysfunction

Q: Is there a Over The Counter Viagra?

Viagra is only available by prescription in the US. If youre experiencing symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED), talk with a medical professional to see if Viagra or another prescription medication is right for you.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Treatment
Causes of ED
- What Are Causes of Erectile Dysfunction?
Guide
- Is There Anything Over the Counter That Works Like Viagra? Topic Guide

Table of Contents Show

What Are Causes of Erectile Dysfunction?
Is there anything over the counter that helps with erectile dysfunction?
Is there a Over The Counter Viagra?
Can you buy erectile dysfunction pills over the counter?
What is the closest over the counter Viagra?

There are several medications and treatments used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED, impotency), including Viagra (sildenafil), testosterone replacement therapy, penile self-injection, and others. Some over-the-counter (OTC) supplements may help with erectile dysfunction, such as L-arginine in combination with pycnogenol, Korean red ginseng (also called panax ginseng), Yohimbe, Carnitine (propionyl-L-carnitine), and Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).

Erectile dysfunction (ED, or impotence) is a condition that causes men to be unable to acquire or maintain an erection.

Treatment for erectile dysfunction is aimed at enabling a man to achieve and maintain an erection for sexual intercourse.

Certain over-the-counter (OTC) supplements may help with erectile dysfunction, such as:

L-arginine in combination with pycnogenol
- Has been shown in studies to improve sexual function in men with ED
Korean red ginseng (also called panax ginseng)
- Studies have shown improvements in erections
Yohimbe
- Some studies have shown it to be slightly more effective than placebo for ED
Carnitine (propionyl-L-carnitine)
- May improve erectile dysfunction
- Also used to enhance the effectiveness of sildenafil (Viagra)
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
- Declines in DHEA are associated with increased incidence of ED
- DHEA supplements are often promoted to improve sexual health, though more study is needed

Tell your doctor before taking any over-the-counter supplement. Use caution with any product that claims to be a non-prescription “herbal Viagra.” Some of these products contain the actual drug, sildenafil, which should only be taken when prescribed by a doctor. They may also contain unlabeled ingredients that can cause serious side effects or interact with other medications you take.

In addition to sildenafil (Viagra), medications used to treat erectile dysfunction include:

Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors
- Tadalafil (Cialis)
- Vardenafil (Levitra)
- Avanafil (Stendra)
Testosterone replacement therapy
- Used when man's testes do not produce sufficient amounts of the hormone testosterone
- Does not work to improve sexual function in men who produce normal amounts of testosterone
Medications for depression and/or anxiety

Lifestyle modifications to treat erectile dysfunction may include:

Weight loss in men who are obese
Don’t smoke
Limit or avoid alcohol
Exercise regularly
Eat a healthy, balanced diet
Pelvic floor exercises
Talk to your doctor about using different medications to treat hypertension and pain
- Do not stop taking any prescribed medication without first talking to your doctor

Psychotherapy and psychoactive medications may be recommended for men who have erectile dysfunction due to depression and/or anxiety. Counseling with a sex therapist may be helpful for men with performance anxiety.

Medical treatments used to treat erectile dysfunction may include:

Penile self-injection
- A medication (alprostadil or papaverine) is self-injected into the two chambers of the penis that are filled with spongy tissue and blood (corpora cavernosa) to cause an erection by allowing the blood vessels within the penis to expand so the penis swells and stiffens to create a fully rigid erection
Intraurethral alprostadil (MUSE)
- Uses the same medication (alprostadil) as penile self-injection but instead a man inserts a device with an alprostadil pellet (suppository) into the urethra to create an erection
Vacuum-assisted erection devices
- Involves placing the penis into a plastic cylinder and creating a vacuum around the penis to increase blood flow into the penis
- A rigid ring is placed at the base of the penis to hold the blood inside the penis, keeping it erect
Penile prostheses
- Surgically implanted devices that inflate to allow the penis to become erect
Revascularization
- A surgical procedure used for young men who have experienced pelvic trauma

What Are Causes of Erectile Dysfunction?

Causes of erectile dysfunction include:

Limited blood flow to the penis
- Cigarette smoking
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Aging
- Prescription medications, such as antihypertensive medications
Neurological causes
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Prostate surgery that damage nerves to the penis
- Pelvic trauma
- Spinal cord or back injury
- Multiple sclerosis
- Dementia
- Previous episodes of prolonged erection (priapism)
Drugs that affect the nervous system or that lower testosterone levels or inhibit testosterone action
- Nicotine
- Alcohol
- Opioids
- Blood pressure medications, such as beta-blockers
- Antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Spironolactone
- Sympathetic blockers such as clonidine, guanethidine, or methyldopa
- Thiazide diuretics
- Ketoconazole
- Cimetidine
- Recreational drugs, such as cocaine and heroin
Psychological causes
- Depression, which may include loss of sex drive
- Performance anxiety
- Lack of focus
Other risk factors
- Chronic kidney disease
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Autonomic dysfunction
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Hypogonadism
- Endocrine disorders
- Bicycling

QUESTION

Testosterone is a chemical found only in men. See Answer

Reviewed on 7/27/2021

References

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/sexual-problems-in-men-beyond-the-basics?search=Erectile%20Dysfunction&source=search_result&selectedTitle=5~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=5

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/overview-of-male-sexual-dysfunction?search=Erectile%20Dysfunction&source=search_result&selectedTitle=2~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=2#H2095608

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/erectile-dysfunction/symptoms-causes

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20522020/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6119841/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12851125/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2561113/

https://www.medscape.com/answers/444220-69976/what-is-the-role-of-yohimbine-in-the-treatment-of-erectile-dysfunction-ed https://www.fda.gov/drugs/medication-health-fraud/public-notification-herb-viagra-contains-hidden-drug-ingredient-0

Is there anything over the counter that helps with erectile dysfunction?

Are there over-the-counter pills that works like Viagra? According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) , there are no safe and effective alternative treatments for ED. Some OTC treatments may contain active ingredients found in prescription drugs, but not at safe levels.

Is there a Over The Counter Viagra?

Viagra is only available by prescription in the US. If you're experiencing symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED), talk with a medical professional to see if Viagra or another prescription medication is right for you.

Can you buy erectile dysfunction pills over the counter?

The answer is yes; there are over-the-counter pills that work like Viagra. If you have erectile dysfunction (ED), you may be desperate to find a cure for your problem. ED can be caused by several factors, including stress, depression, physical issues, and medications.

What is the closest over the counter Viagra?

The only over the counter Viagra alternative is Viagra Connect. This has the same active ingredient but instead of getting a prescription, you can go straight to the pharmacist to order it.