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What Is the Best Over-The-Counter Drug for Erectile Dysfunction?
Facing the problem of erectile dysfunction (ED), not all men are ready to start dealing with the issues using prescription medications. A certain percentage of the sufferers cannot use such pills as Viagra (sildenafil citrate) due to some contraindications they have. So what’s left for them then? You might be surprised, but Viagra is not the only drug that can cope with the symptoms of male sexual inability. There exist lots of Viagra alternatives over-the-counter in Australia. Some most effective & best male enhancement pill is all-natural and may be as good as its well-known chemical counterpart, with the difference that you can easily get it without a prescription.
It’s hard to name only one best over-the-counter drug for ED, as there are many of them on the market, and some are really worth your attention.
Viagra and Its Best Alternatives
Viagra alternatives may be of two kinds: chemical and natural. As for the former, they are known to the majority of men who have trouble getting and keeping an erection. They are Cialis and Levitra. Cialis pills contain tadalafil, whereas Levitra helps men with ED due to the presence of vardenafil in its composition. There is also a jelly form of Viagra called Kamagra oral jelly often used by men who have trouble swallowing tablets.
Speaking about the natural products for erectile dysfunction, they usually contain herbal extracts, trace minerals, and vitamins that work similarly to Viagra. The best over-the-counter erection pills are almost as effective as sildenafil yet are much safer in terms of side effects. To understand more about the difference between ordinary Viagra and its alternatives, let’s get into some detail.
Our selection of ED pills
How Is Over-The-Counter Viagra Different from Prescription Viagra?
The first and the main difference between prescription and over-the-counter Viagra is their composition. The prescription drug contains the only active substance – sildenafil, whereas a lot of over-the-counter products contain several active substances. The most common components of such natural ED remedies are Red Ginseng root extract, Ginkgo Biloba, Zinc, L-arginine, etc.
Another thing that makes the two types of Viagra different is their safety profiles. Prescription Viagra has a long list of contraindications and possible side effects, while the version available without a prescription is much safer and rarely causes any severe adverse reactions. What’s more, the natural composition of the remedy makes it possible to use in men who are contraindicated to take sildenafil-containing drugs for some reasons. Still, a consultation with a medical specialist is advised in either case.
Finally, they are different in the rate of their efficacy. Although prescription preparation is more likely to provoke some unwanted reactions, it works in more than 85% of men. Over-the-counter Viagra has a milder action, so maybe less efficacious in men with moderate or severe ED.
What Works Like Viagra?
The action of Viagra is based on the inhibition of the levels of an enzyme called PDE5. It is an enzyme responsible for the breakup of cGMP. This is a chemical that promotes the dilation of the blood vessels and the relaxation of the corpora cavernosa of the penis. A rise in its levels allows enhancing the inflow of blood to the pelvis, which helps the penis to fill with enough blood for firmer and longer erections.
Other substances that work similarly to Viagra are tadalafil, vardenafil, and avanafil. Some natural herbal extracts also influence the circulation of blood in the pelvis, promoting better quality erections.
Over-The-Counter Viagra Substitute
When looking for an over-the-counter Viagra substitute, it’s easy to get confused with a wide variety of offers. But after having a closer look at them, it becomes clear that all these preparations and supplements may either be based on herbal extracts or other natural substances that we normally get from food or are produced within our organism.
Herbal Substitutes
Herbal substitutes to Viagra pills are used most often in over-the-counter medicines for ED. Their useful properties help men stabilize their emotional state, normalize their hormonal levels, and improve the circulation of blood in the penile area.
In the over-the-counter ED pills, the extracts of roots, berries, leaves, and bark are usually used. Several herbal components may be combined in one medication for enhancing its efficacy. One of the best non-prescription drugs that contain not one but several herbal substitutes for Viagra is VigRX Plus. It has Korean Red Ginseng, Ginkgo Biloba, Saw Palmetto, and Hawthorn berry extracts.
Although considered rather safe, Viagra herbal substitutes have several contraindications for use. Therefore, their intake should be agreed upon with a medical specialist.
Natural Alternatives
When we talk about the natural alternatives to Viagra, we mean trace minerals, amino acids, supplements, and vitamins. All these play a role in the mechanism of male erection and health overall. Therefore, the intake of such supplements may have a beneficial effect on potency.
One of the components that are often used in natural Viagra alternatives is niacin (nicotinic acid). It helps the reduction of bad cholesterol levels, improving the health of the blood vessels, thus bettering the circulation of blood. Another supplement that promotes improvement in erectile function is zinc. It works well for increasing the levels of testosterone – the hormone responsible for male libido and sexual power. The over-the-counter medicines containing natural alternatives to Viagra are Male Extra and Max Performer.
Our selection of herbal ED pills
How Can I Make Viagra At Home?
Treatment of erectile dysfunction is usually associated with significant expenses and risks of developing side effects. However, there is a way to make your therapy affordable and safe. What is it? Try to make Viagra at home.
Don’t believe this is possible? We can prove the contrary. In fact, many components for natural homemade Viagra are easily accessible in any drugstore. All vitamins, herbal extracts, and supplements that may improve your potency can be purchased separately and combined for a better effect.
L-Arginine
L-arginine is an amino acid, which is often added to over-the-counter Viagra pills to strengthen the effects of other ingredients present in their composition. The studies proved it’s useless for ED if used alone, yet it promotes significant improvements in erectile function in men if applied in complex therapy with certain herbal supplements.
This amino acid is produced within the human organism. You can also get it from some food products, like chicken, nuts, pumpkin seeds, eggs, etc. With age, the levels of L-arginine decrease, which might be one of the reasons for the weakening of the erectile function. The supplementary use of L-arginine helps to restore its healthy levels and positively affects male health.
Although it is generally safe for people, its excess may provoke the development of some unwanted reactions, including diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps.
L-Tyrosine
L-tyrosine is another amino acid that may do good to your sexual desire and ability to get and keep an erection firm. Although there is still too little evidence of its efficacy in the therapy of erectile dysfunction, L-tyrosine has shown promising results in animal studies. Scientists consider it may be efficacious in the treatment of impotence provoked by neurological reasons (e.g. penile nerve damage).
According to some information, L-tyrosine can increase the levels of dopamine in the human brain, which works beneficially for libido. Yet data also require additional proofs and studies.
The natural sources of L-tyrosine are turkey, fish, dairy products, bananas, soy, and other foods. Except for the external sources of this supplement, it can also be synthesized from phenylalanine (an essential amino acid) within the human body.
Zinc Supplements
Zinc is one of the crucial trace minerals for male health. It takes part in the development and function of male genitals. Zinc deficiency may lead to low sperm count. Besides, it has been proven by numerous researches that the levels of this trace mineral in men with erectile dysfunction are significantly lower than in individuals who don’t have difficulties with attaining and sustaining an erection. Relying on this evidence, scientists have come to the opinion that zinc plays a role in erectile function as well.
This trace mineral is known to participate in the production of the male sex hormones prolactin and testosterone. Zinc promotes their levels increase, thus leveling up male libido. The intake of this supplement may also improve other male sexual dysfunctions, including premature ejaculation.
Still, the intake of this dietary supplement may be the reason for developing some unwanted reactions such as poor appetite, weight loss, reduced resistance to infections, and others. Therefore, you’d better talk to a doctor and, if needed, pass some blood tests before starting the intake of zinc supplements.
To increase the levels of this trace mineral safely, you can make changes to your diet by adding poultry, red meat, beans, and nuts to your meals.
Korean Red Ginseng
Korean Red Ginseng or Panax ginseng, as it is often called, is one of the herbal supplements often applied in the therapy of male sexual inability. The extract of Red Ginseng is received from the roots and berries of this plant. The supplements containing the extract of Red Ginseng are used to treat various medical conditions, including those that may affect male sexual health, like diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and stress.
The efficacy of Korean Red Ginseng supplement use for ED has been proven in clinical studies. One of them claims a 60% rate of efficiency of this natural remedy for erectile dysfunction. In a study, Ginseng didn’t help increase the frequency of intercourse or morning erections, yet it managed to significantly improve the penile rigidity and girth, which signals improvement in the supply of blood to the organ. Except for this, the supplement use also resulted in a libido increase.
If taken for the short term, Red Ginseng is not likely to cause any unwanted reactions. However, its prolonged intake may result in some side effects, such as trouble falling asleep, diarrhea, headache, rapid heartbeat, and others. A consultation with a GP is required before using this supplement as it may be contraindicated in some people.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps is a fungus applied in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2000 years. It possesses various beneficial properties, which are used to manage some really serious health conditions. Cordyceps is known to induce an anti-inflammatory effect. The fungus suppresses inflammation, which works well for the health of the blood vessels and heart. The presence of adenosine in Cordyceps helps to prevent heart injury in people with severe renal impairment, thus reducing their risks of heart failure. Besides, Cordyceps is thought to be useful in regulating blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes mellitus.
The effects described above indirectly help improve sexual function in men. However, this natural remedy is also known for its ability to increase sperm production, male endurance in bed, libido, and enhance erectile function.
Evidence of Cordyceps safety is lacking due to the very few studies devoted to this problem.
Where Can I Get a Non-Prescription Viagra Alternative?
Seeking the best-quality non-prescription Viagra alternatives, men often address the nearest pharmacy. However, one may find only some of them there. In case you lack time for visiting all the pharmacies in the area, ease your task and order everything you need on the Internet.
A lot of reliable online pharmacies offer quality non-prescription alternatives of Viagra at reasonable prices. You only need to find the one you trust and buy the remedies in a couple of mouse clicks.