Are there alternatives to Viagra?
At the beginning of the century, Viagra made up over ninety percent of the market for erectile dysfunction (ED) pills worldwide. These days, the growth in Viagra alternatives has meant that the ultimate dominance of the little blue pill has come to an end.
There’s a range of alternative ED treatments to choose from, including medications, natural remedies, and simple lifestyle changes. There’s no longer any need to stick to the famous brand, particularly when some over-the-counter Viagra alternatives offer benefits that many men prefer.
In this article, we’ll run you through the full list of alternative medications for erection problems – from science-backed meds to nutritional supplements – and bust some myths along the way.
Alternative Medication
Pfizer’s famous ‘vitamin V’ used to be the only approved treatment for ED. That’s no longer the case. These days, there are plenty of Viagra alternatives that are just as safe, effective, and easy to use. Some of them work in slightly different ways, too – so there are different options you might prefer.
Sildenafil
Sildenafil was the first treatment to be clinically approved to treat erectile dysfunction, and it is the active agent present in Viagra — and in its over-the-counter version, Viagra Connect. Simply put, Sildenafil works just the same as Viagra, but comes without the brand name.
Everything works in the same way, but whereas the RRP for Viagra Connect is around £5 per tablet, generic unbranded Sildenafil is available from Manual for as little as £2 per tablet.
Sildenafil targets an enzyme, PDE5, that affects muscle tone in the blood vessels supplying the penis. By relaxing and expanding your blood vessels, it improves the blood flow that your erections need.
Take it 30-60 minutes before the action and it’ll last for 3-6 hours. Simple really – and it’s shown to be effective in eighty percent of men. This alternative to Viagra gives exactly the same results, but you can enjoy them without the price tag that comes with the famous brand.
Cialis (Tadalafil)
You might know Tadalafil as its branded version, Cialis. Tadalafil targets the same enzyme as Sildenafil, but it lasts longer – up to 36 hours. That’s why they call it the ‘weekend pill’, as it gives you a bit more spontaneity. You don’t need to pop a pill every time before getting it on, and it actually gets to work quicker than other ED drugs – often within 30 minutes.
The normal dosage of Tadalafil is 10mg. This has the desired effect in the vast majority of men who are experiencing ED. Studies comparing the PDE5 erectile dysfunction drugs have indicated that Tadalafil actually has a superior tolerability profile, meaning the lowest frequency of common side effects. It can also be taken in 2.5mg, 5mg, and 20mg doses.
Branded Cialis usually costs around £38 for four tablets of 10mg, which works out at around £9.50 per tablet. Tadalafil is more cost-effective because it’s unbranded. At Manual, you can get Tadalafil starting from £3 per tablet for the same dosage.
Other Viagra Alternatives (Medication)
Spedra (Avanafil)
Another substitute for Viagra is avanafil, the agent found in trademark ED medications, Spedra and Stendra. This one should be taken fifteen to thirty minutes before sex. Whilst it’s a PDE5 inhibitor too, it is thought to be less effective than Sildenafil and Tadalafil, although it is known for its unique faster-acting qualities.
Levitra (Vardenafil)
Vardenafil functions in exactly the same way – and, like all the others, it shouldn’t be taken more than once daily. You’ll find vardenafil in ED medications like Levitra and Staxyn. Staxyn is designed to be dissolved on the tongue, rather than swallowed with water.
Absolutely Avoid…
It’s worth noting that Viagra is the most commonly counterfeited drug on the planet. That means that there’s a lot of fake Viagra alternatives around. Take care to ensure they are legit before buying anything. This matters, because fake Viagra can be cut with everything from printer ink to speed. And trust us, you don’t want to be taking these!
Always buy from a registered pharmacy or MHRA approved online service provider.
Illegitimate Online Stores
In one study of 26 online vendors by Pfizer, the manufacturers of Viagra, 81% of the drugs they bought and tested were shown to be counterfeit. Obviously, as the manufacturer, Pfizer has a vested interest in the Viagra brand and we don’t know how or why the 26 online stores were selected. But at the same time, it shows that you must do due diligence, read reviews, and if in doubt go to your GP.
Kamagra
You might see websites selling Kamagra as a cheap over-the-counter Viagra alternative. Don’t buy it: it’s not a licensed drug in the UK – and these sites are certainly breaking the law. Kamagra is manufactured in India, and it is completely unregulated. It’s not worth your time when there are so many other Viagra alternatives around that are proven to be safe and effective against ED.
Supplements for Erectile Dysfunction
There are a number of nutritional supplements that people take for ED. And whilst most have been studied for their efficacy as a Viagra alternative, the results have been largely inconclusive.
L-Arginine
L-Arginine is an amino acid that is usually found in fish, red meat, and dairy products. It is used by the body to make nitric oxide, a chemical that widens your blood vessels and improves blood flow – something similar to the PDE5 inhibitors like Sildenafil.
These supplements do have medical uses – for angina and high blood pressure for example – and studies have shown that it may be effective for ED treatment. The trouble is that you need to take L-Arginine in fairly massive quantities for it to work as well as its medical alternatives.
Tribulus
Some people take Tribulus as a supplement to reduce cholesterol and even to increase libido. However, there is currently no scientific proof that Tribulus can increase testosterone levels or combat Erectile Dysfunction. A study showed that people taking Tribulus didn’t experience a testosterone boost compared to a group taking a placebo.
DHEA
Another Viagra alternative with effectiveness supported by science is DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, supplements. A study found that men with ED were more likely to have lower levels of this hormone. There is no definitive evidence of the use of DHEA effectively improving testosterone levels, and you should also be wary of the potential side effects like acne or liver disorder.
Other Remedies for ED
Beyond the formal medications, there are “natural” alternatives to Viagra that are increasingly popular. These herbal remedies and alternative treatments range from the likes of “erection tea” to acupuncture – but they’re not always hugely reliable.
They vary in their effectiveness and few are actually endorsed by medical professionals. And some are probably not worth the risk or expense involved.
Herbal Viagra
“Herbal” Viagra is sold as a natural alternative to ED medication, but it is generally frowned upon by medical professionals. You’ll almost certainly have seen it advertised before – but if you’re thinking about taking it, maybe think twice. “Herbal” in this context can mean literally anything, and there is no way to know what it really contains. However, Panax Ginseng, sometimes known as “Herbal Viagra”, has been found to have some beneficial impact on ED.
The Dangers of Herbal Viagra
One notorious case involved a Herbal Viagra that was stuffed full of unacknowledged medications for ED and for obesity. Others have been found to lower your blood pressure dangerously. Unless you are going for Panax Ginseng specifically, you can never know what herbal Viagra contains. Where men’s health and ED treatment is concerned, it’s best avoided.
Erection Tea
Affectionately known as “boner brew”, erection tea is essentially an infusion of plants that have been shown to be vasodilating – meaning that they widen your blood vessels and improve blood flow. This is the same principle on which Sildenafil itself works.
Erection teas can include things such as red ginseng, ginger, lemon juice, and honey. The effectiveness of these infusions has never been studied. And while not the most romantic of beverages, they’re completely harmless, and perhaps even tasty.
Aphrodisiac Foods
Chocolate and oysters may be thought to be aphrodisiacs, but science doesn’t really agree. If you try saffron, pistachios, and fenugreek, however, you may well be onto something – again, without firm studies behind that.
Acupuncture
Many people are sceptical of acupuncture, but some studies show that it can be effective in tackling ED. One study has shown it worked in just under 40% of cases – but let’s just say it’s not the most pleasant or straightforward treatment for ED around.
Lifestyle Improvements
The medicinal Viagra alternatives and the herbal ones aside, there’s a lot of evidence that a healthy lifestyle can help improve your sex life. Just like the rest of your body, your sensitive parts aren’t immune to those benders and binges. A healthy lifestyle can go a long way towards improving erectile dysfunction, and this should be combined with any over-the-counter Viagra alternatives you might seek.
Better Sleep
If you’re tired, you’re much more likely to have reduced libido, reduced testosterone levels, and erectile dysfunction. Sleep deprivation increases the production of cortisol, a stress hormone that just makes you less interested in sexual activity. One of the easiest alternatives to Viagra is a good night’s sleep of 7-9 hours.
Better Nutrition
Eating foods rich in fat and sugar increase your chances of erectile dysfunction dramatically. Given that ED is generally an issue of blood flow, cholesterol and high blood sugar can both make an erection more difficult. Reducing fatty foods is wise, whilst stocking up on fruit, veg, and whole-grain products can help.
Exercise
A recent study confirmed what was already suspected among researchers: physical activity can help combat ED. By improving cardiovascular health and blood flow, exercise gets that blood going where you need it.
Stress Management
Stress and anxiety can affect your sexual performance, whilst stress about your sexual performance can affect it even further. Vicious cycle. And chronic stress can damage your arteries, in turn affecting your blood flow. This can knock your ability to get it up.
Finding ways to decrease your stress can help ED. This might include drinking herbal teas, like chamomile, that can reduce anxiety, or taking up yoga.
Meditation
Meditation is an increasingly popular way to reduce stress levels. After as little as 20 minutes of meditation a day over the course of a week, you can potentially see your stress levels reduce. Although this is just a small piece of the puzzle in reducing the impact of a stressful lifestyle.
Less Alcohol
One research paper found that up to 70% of heavy-drinking men suffer from some form of sexual dysfunction. That includes ED. Developing a lifestyle with less alcohol can improve your erections dramatically – and it will boost your libido too.
Less Porn
Watching a lot of porn can give you unreal expectations about sex and it can prevent you from connecting fully with your partner. This, it is thought, can lead to PIED, or porn-induced erectile dysfunction. If you feel like this is the reason for your ED, talk to someone about it. Go to your GP or make an appointment with a counsellor. Reducing the amount of porn you watch can be your next step.
Key Takeaways: What Are Your Viagra Alternatives?
There are plenty of Viagra alternatives out there. Many of them, however, don’t have any scientific backing – and some can be downright harmful. Being aware of this can prevent you from having a nasty surprise.
On the other hand, there are many Viagra alternatives that are known to be effective. The PDE5 inhibitors such as Sildenafil and Tadalafil are the pick of the bunch – being just as effective as the original branded Viagra.
Meanwhile, a healthy lifestyle will set you up well for your battle with ED. Sleeping well, eating well, and exercising can reduce the need for a Viagra alternative in the first place.
That said, it’s important to remember that everybody is different – the individual response and tolerance to treatment varies. One product may work well for one person, but may not provide the desired results for another.
Erectile dysfunction treatment must be optimised for each individual.
¹C A Santos Jr, L O Reis, R Destro-Saade, A Luiza-Reis, A Fregonesi (2014). Tribulus terrestris versus placebo in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: A prospective, randomized, double blind study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24630840/
Reuters Health -Erectile dysfunction drugs vary in effectiveness, side effects: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ed-drugs-profiles/erectile-dysfunction-drugs-vary-in-effectiveness-side-effects-idUSKBN0MY1TT20150407
edrugstore.com -Counterfeit Viagra, Cialis, Levitra: The Ultimate Guide: https://www.edrugstore.com/blog/erectile-dysfunction/counterfeit-viagra-cialis-levitra-ultimate-guide/#
²Dai-Ja Jang, Myeong Soo Lee, Byung-Cheul Shin, Young-Cheoul Lee, and Edzard Ernst (2008). Red ginseng for treating erectile dysfunction: a systematic review: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2561113/
NHS -‘Herbal viagra’ warning: https://www.nhs.uk/news/medication/herbal-viagra-warning/
³HG Kho, CGJ Sweep, X Chen, PRI Rabsztyn and EJH Meuleman (1999). The use of acupuncture in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/13192165_The_Use_of_Acupuncture_in_the_Treatment_of_Erectile_Dysfunction
⁴Dr André B Silva, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Al. Prof. Hernâni Monteiro (2016). Physical activity and exercise for erectile dysfunction: systematic review and meta-analysis: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/51/19/1419.info
⁵NHS -Does meditation reduce stress?: https://www.nhs.uk/news/lifestyle-and-exercise/does-meditation-reduce-stress/
