A doctor may prescribe a medication that improves blood flow to the penis. This should help a man achieve a steady erection. The most popular medication to improve erection is sildenafil (Viagra). The other three main FDA-approved oral drugs for erectile dysfunction (ED) are avanafil (Stendra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra). These drugs are known as PDE-5 inhibitors. They enhance the effects of nitric oxide, which the male body produces to relax muscles in the penis and increased blood flow to the penis.
If you are searching for the best alternative to Viagra we have collected the best OTC alternatives to Viagra. These natural treatments are available over the counter or online via the pharmacy’s website.
Did you know some studies suggest erectile dysfunction may affect up to 74% of men? The statistics vary by country but all the data shows the disease is more common than most people think. So, if you are suffering from poor potency, rest assured you are not alone.
Penile Pumps
The principle of operation of a penile pump for penis enlargement is closely related to the process that allows you to achieve a natural erection. During the creation of a low-pressure area in the flask, the penis increases in volume and length. There is an active filling of the cavernous bodies with blood, which contributes to their expansion. As a result, more blood flows to the penis than with a natural erection. Ultimately, this has a positive effect on the size of the penis.
The standard penis vacuum pump has a very simple design. Its main element is a glass or plastic cylinder connected to a flexible mounting ring and a pumping mechanism.
Vacuum conditions are created inside the cylinder, which increases blood flow to the penis and causes the corpus cavernosum to expand. After pumping and reaching the desired state, the flask and mounting ring are removed. The erection obtained in this way allows a man to have a long sexual intercourse filled with extraordinary endurance.
The pressure generated by the pump allows the cavernous bodies of the penis to stretch each time, resulting in a gradual increase. Its regular use, therefore, makes it possible to obtain noticeable results, providing the desired satisfaction with the size of the penis.
This penis enlargement process is valued for its low invasiveness, especially when compared to mechanical stretching and surgery methods. A penis enlargement pump is usually used when the penis is not standing up to induce or increase an erection. The effect obtained with its help allows you to maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory stimulation and prolonged sexual intercourse.
The use of the pump is recommended primarily for those men who cannot cause an erection in a natural way.
Periodic and prudent use of a penis pump is generally not dangerous. The best results are provided by the regular expansion of the cavernous bodies of the penis. However, there is a certain risk involved in exceeding the recommended usage time.
Certified and therefore the safest pumps are designed primarily to treat physical problems with achieving and maintaining an erection, not to increase penis size. Their cheaper counterparts, on the other hand, do not guarantee the expected results, especially with prolonged use.
Natural Alternatives to Viagra
L-arginine
L-arginine is one of the best over the counter ED pills that work fast. It is an amino acid essential for healthy circulation. A study conducted in 2014 showed that this amino acid may be useful in the treatment of sore throats, vascular diseases, and erectile dysfunction.
A 2017 study found that men with erectile dysfunction had lower blood levels of this amino acid and L-citrulline. In turn, a 2015 study showed that L-arginine, when taken with the supplement Pycnogenol, helps improve erectile function and sperm quality.
Another 2015 study published in the British Medical Journal found similar results with a combination of Pycnogenol and L-arginine.
Korean red ginseng (also called panax ginseng)
Ginseng is considered an aphrodisiac and is used to treat sexual dysfunction. However, how should a man take ginseng for increasing potency?
Ginseng preparations enhance the synthesis of nitric oxide. This helps relax smooth muscles of the penis, allowing more blood to enter the cavernous bodies of the penis and cause an erection.
In addition, this plant is known to improve the quality of ejaculate and increase the number of male germ cells. These properties are due to the presence of ginsenosides (pharmacological active ingredients) in the composition.
There are many preparations for potency which include ginseng. In addition, you can use ginseng tincture to improve the quality of sexual life. Dosage and course for each person is selected individually: 15-25 drops 2-3 times a day. However, you must remember that the use of any medications and nutritional supplements should occur only as directed and under the strict supervision of a doctor.
Yohimbe
Yohimbe grows in the western part of Africa, its Latin name is Pausinystalia Yohimbe. It is an evergreen tree, which is important primarily for its bark. The bark of Yohimbe contains active substances – alkaloids, which help increase the energy reserves of the body. The leading alkaloid of this group is called yohimbine.
In most countries, yohimbine is a biologically active substance, not a drug. in the US, it has long been a prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction.
Scientists believe that Yohimbe has a positive effect on sexual health by stimulating the penis. It provides an increase in pressure and increases blood flow to the genitals, and it can work for women in about the same way, although the effect is noticeable to a lesser extent. Studies on the use of Yohimbe for the treatment of erectile dysfunction have shown mixed results: it is not known whether it is sufficiently safe or effective due to the lack of a complete database of clinical trials of this substance.
You can try taking Yohimbe for erectile dysfunction if you want to relieve the symptoms of impotence. However, be sure to consult your doctor and carefully choose the dosage, it is better to start with small doses and gradually come to the daily norm. If the effect was not strong enough or was absent, this dietary supplement may not be suitable for you.
Carnitine (propionyl-L-carnitine)
L-carnitine is a powerful power bank that energizes the male body and stimulates many vital functions, including reproductive.
L-carnitine may improve sexual health and increase sperm count. A small amount of L-carnitine in the male body leads to the production of poor quality sperm with low sperm activity. L-carnitine can also restore potency in men when taken regularly. In this case, it will be a natural and harmless OTC alternative to the popular ED oral drug Viagra.
In addition, L-carnitine slows down the aging process in the body and improves cellular activity.
Lifestyle Change as Over the Counter Alternative to Viagra
If you want to simply improve potency in the absence of serious pathologies, the following lifestyle changes can help:
- Have proper rest. The condition is significantly affected by fatigue, so a great way to improve men’s health is a good rest and relaxation.
- Get rid of excess weight. Excess weight leads to an increase in the level of estrogens – female sex hormones, so following a balanced diet is a great way to increase potency and improve overall health by reducing body weight.
- Refuse bad habits, especially after past illnesses (alcohol, smoking, taking drugs and medications without an urgent need and a doctor’s prescription).
- Treat common diseases that can affect potency. First of all, these are cardiovascular diseases, hormonal and endocrine pathologies, diabetes mellitus, debilitating and chronic diseases.
- Get more physical activity. This advice is especially relevant if you lead a sedentary lifestyle. You can go to a gym or do exercises at home. By the way, weekly exercise of 160 minutes for 6 months contributes to decreasing erectile problems in men with ED;
- Eat a balanced diet. Refusal of fast food, fatty foods and excess sugar will lead to positive consequences. To improve intimate functions, it is useful to use vitamins that contain fresh vegetables, berries and fruits, drink freshly squeezed vegetables or fruit juice. A small amount of walnuts works great. It is enough to regularly eat no more than 5 pieces. It is necessary to choose only natural products. Refuse semi-finished products and canned, freeze-dried food. It may contain hazardous substances and chemical compounds that adversely affect the intimate sphere and the general well-being of the body.
What Else Should You Do for Your ED?
Consult your doctor about your erectile dysfunction because treating it on your own may be ineffective or even unsafe. Undergo examination, get a proper diagnosis, and find out the cause of the medical condition.
If penile pumps do not work for you, your doctor may recommend other treatments, such as:
Penile injections
An intracavernous injection is the introduction of a drug into the cavernous body of the penis. The main purpose of this procedure is to stimulate an erection. In most cases, such injections are carried out for the purpose of diagnosis, such a procedure helps to identify the type of erectile dysfunction. But sometimes such injections are prescribed for therapeutic purposes as the procedure helps improve an erection for a while.
During an intracavernous injection, a drug is injected into the cavernous body that has a vasodilating effect. Medicines provide an active blood flow to the male genital organ, which is externally manifested by an erection.
Intracavernous injection allows the patient to have an erection for the duration of a full-fledged sexual intercourse. To perform a diagnosis, the procedure is prescribed in cases where it is impossible to achieve the desired effect after taking oral medications like Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, Kamagra, etc.
The procedure must be performed very carefully so as not to damage the saphenous veins of the penis. The effect of the injection can be observed after 5-10 minutes. The drug works for 1-1.5 hours, or even longer. Intracavernous injections can be done by the patient himself.
Psychotherapy
If you are having psychogenic erectile dysfunction, psychotherapy and psychoanalysis can help. Psychoanalysis helps to understand and identify the causes of weak erection or lack of erection. As a rule, these reasons are deeply unconscious. A man may not realize that he is afraid of women or has a strong unconscious hatred for them. When these feelings can be discovered in the course of psychoanalysis or psychotherapy and become conscious, then they will have much less power over the body. And a man will be able to control his erection and gain self-confidence.
Unfortunately, men with erectile problems often hesitate to consult a psychoanalyst or psychologist. The most “inhibiting” factors in seeking help with sexual problems are embarrassment and a generally negative attitude towards receiving psychological help in men.
However, a psychoanalyst is a specialist trained to deal with the psychological aspects of somatic illness. And psychoanalysis, as you know, has always attached great importance to sexuality and the problems associated with it. The main goal of a psychoanalyst is to help, alleviate feelings, get rid of disturbing symptoms.
Often, in cases of erectile dysfunction, it is also useful to hold joint meetings with a partner at a family psychologist, which helps couples to build more trusting relationships, relieve anxiety, return joy and feelings of a fulfilling life.
Surgery for inserting penile implants
A penile implant is a prosthesis made from biocompatible plastic that is used to treat erection problems in men. The implant is surgically placed inside the penis to simulate a natural erection. This allows a man to have intercourse “as needed”, since an erection is easily available at any time.
With an implant, there is no need to take oral drugs that cause an erection. The use of a penile implant does not involve any additional or ongoing costs. Most insurances cover the cost of implanting a penile prosthesis for men with impotence.
A penile implant is a long-term solution to erectile dysfunction. This is the most suitable option for men with moderate to severe erectile dysfunction, for whom oral medications do not have the desired effect.
Conclusion
There are many over-the-counter alternatives that work like Viagra. But if you want to obtain a pronounced and sustainable result, you’d better choose an integrated approach. It is not enough to change one thing in life to make your intimate life better. This requires a healthy lifestyle, an attentive attitude to any symptoms, and a quick response to any problems. There are no “shameful” or “embarrassing” situations and illnesses when it comes to such a fragile system as the male sexual function. Only timely diagnosis, medical advice and treatment will help you avoid very serious and unpleasant health problems in the future. Sexual well-being largely depends on the man himself and his desire to remain strong even in old age.
