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How Do I Choose the Best over-The-Counter Erectile Dysfunction Treatment?

Autumn Rivers
Autumn Rivers

If you are dealing with impotence, you may be able to resolve the issue with an over-the-counter (OTC) erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment. Like any type of drug, such treatments may have both positive and negative effects on your health. For this reason, you should ask your doctor to recommend a safe ED treatment. You also should find out the side effects of the medication before you choose one, because some have more than others. Additionally, you are encouraged to find out other details, such as the correct dosage and how long the effects can last.

Even the most natural OTC erectile dysfunction treatment can cause health issues in some patients, so you should consult your doctor before you choose a drug. Doctors often know which brands' over-the-counter erectile dysfunction medications have the best safety ratings and best overall reviews. They may even have literature to hand out on some of these treatments and samples so you can test an impotence treatment before spending money on a full container. You are not advised to take just the word of the manufacturer when it comes to the safety of the drug; instead, you may want to find an unbiased source of information on the topic. If you do not have a doctor to consult, you can talk to a pharmacist or visit reputable health care websites to get reviews from medical professionals.

Men who have heart troubles tend to have the highest risk of suffering from over-the-counter erectile dysfunction medication side effects.
Men who have heart troubles tend to have the highest risk of suffering from over-the-counter erectile dysfunction medication side effects.

Though it is helpful to find out which over-the-counter erectile dysfunction treatments are effective in curing impotence, the side effects matter, too. Some drugs work quite well at solving the main medical problem, but create several other health issues that make the treatment not worth it. You may find that the treatment in which you are interested in has mild side effects, such as dizziness, flushing and headaches, and that you can handle them. Other side effects are more serious, including amnesia, anxiety and hypertension. Patients with pre-existing conditions, such as heart problems, tend to have the highest risk of suffering from drug side effects, which is one reason it is helpful to contact your doctor before starting to use such an OTC treatment.

Dosage should be considered when buying over-the-counter erectile dysfunction products.
Dosage should be considered when buying over-the-counter erectile dysfunction products.

One of the final considerations to make when buying over-the-counter erectile dysfunction products is the dosage. When comparing a few drugs, you should consider how much of each you have to take to get the desired effect, because this will determine how much you need to buy at once. You also should find out how long the effect will last, making sure the average time frame is not too long or short for your needs. In addition, consider how long the effect takes to show up so you know when you need to take your over-the-counter erectile dysfunction drug.

Discussion Comments

stoneMason

@ZipLine-- Yes, I'm taking ginkgo for this purpose and I think it's working moderately well. It's not a miracle treatment, but since ginkgo improves blood circulation, it is beneficial. It increases blood flow to the penis, so it fights the cause of erectile dysfunction.

I'm taking gingko tablets and I also drink tea with gingko from time to time. I think it's definitely worth a try and in the recommended doses, it's safe for most people. You might want to ask your doctor about it to double check because it may interact negatively with some medications. I think it interacts with blood thinners.

ZipLine

Has anyone tried ginkgo as an erectile dysfunction remedy? Does it work?

burcidi

@Buster29-- I completely agree with you.

Why take an OTC medication for erectile dysfunction when the doctor can prescribe something? Wouldn't latter be safer? Plus, the doctor can consider the patient's other health problems and select the best treatment.

Supplements and herbal remedies are something else, but I wouldn't take OTC medication for something like erectile dysfunction. Those type of medicines have a lot of side effects. People with chronic heart conditions can even experience heart attacks due to them. I had a relative go through this and it was so embarrassing for him. He did not want to tell the doctor at the ER what he had taken, so they found out from a blood test. He took large doses of erectile dysfunction medicine and had a stroke.

I'm not saying that everyone will experience the same, I'm just saying that there are risks. It's best to take medications for erectile dysfunction symptoms under a doctor's supervision.

Reminiscence

@Buster29, I've seen those ads for OTC erectile dysfunction drugs, but I haven't heard any male friend say they've actually taken any. I don't know who's buying these things, but apparently the manufacturers are earning enough money to pay for the advertising.

I don't think any of these over the counter ED drugs would hurt anybody, but I'm not convinced they do what they claim to do, either. Some of them imply an increase in size, for instance. I don't know if that's even physically possible. You get what you get.

Buster29

Personally, I don't know if I'd choose any over the counter erectile dysfunction pills if I had a diagnosed case of ED. True ED is a serious medical situation, and the prescription drugs address issues that most OTC pills aren't strong enough to address. I'd stick with prescription medications if a urologist has already examined me and found a real problem with blood flow or nerve damage.

There's a difference between erectile dysfunction and the occasional inability to perform. Getting and maintaining an erection is as much mental as it is physical. If a man doesn't feel sexually aroused by the situation he's in, then it's not necessarily a medical erectile dysfunction problem at all. It could just be a temporary emotional state or a fleeting physical problem. Maybe an OTC medication or herbal remedy will increase blood flow enough to achieve an erection, but that's only one part of the equation.

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    • Men who have heart troubles tend to have the highest risk of suffering from over-the-counter erectile dysfunction medication side effects.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Men who have heart troubles tend to have the highest risk of suffering from over-the-counter erectile dysfunction medication side effects.
    • Dosage should be considered when buying over-the-counter erectile dysfunction products.
      By: Sonja Birkelbach
      Dosage should be considered when buying over-the-counter erectile dysfunction products.
    • Side effects are a consideration when looking for OTC  erectile dysfunction treatment.
      By: WavebreakMediaMicro
      Side effects are a consideration when looking for OTC erectile dysfunction treatment.
    • A doctor can offer consultation on erectile dysfunction treatments.
      By: Shakzu
      A doctor can offer consultation on erectile dysfunction treatments.