Sex enhancing drugs do work, but they shouldn’t be taken recklessly. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to know when to use sexual enhancers.
Erectile dysfunction, or ED, affects at least half of men aged 70 and above. It’s because of this that most people think that ED has a lot to do with aging.
Age does play a major role, but it’s not the only factor — a study found that 25% of men under 40 also have erection problems.
With ED now being common in both the young and old, it’s no wonder that the use of sex enhancing drugs has also risen. In North America alone, the market for ED drugs had an estimated value of $1.81 billion in 2019.
Keep in mind that those figures don’t even apply to women who also suffer from sex-related issues.
Either way, if you’re having problems in bed, you’re likely wondering if you should take these drugs.
You definitely need to know when exactly you should take them, if they’re safe to use, and if they even work at all.
We’ll get to the bottom of all these burning questions you have, so be sure to read on!
You Can’t Get An Erection
One of the biggest indications of ED is the inability to get an erection. This occurs due to disruptions that arise during any stage of the erection process.
A lack of stimuli, for instance, can affect arousal, which is what triggers an erection in the first place.
Without arousal, the brain won’t direct your blood vessels to supply more blood to the penis. Without increased blood flow to the penis, an erection can’t occur.
In many ED cases, psychological factors, like anxiety and trauma, are to blame. High levels of stress also make men more prone to ED, while having ED can stress them out even more.
Blood vessel problems, such as coronary artery disease, can also impede an erection.
In fact, a study found that three-quarters of men with CAD also have symptoms of ED. Another study discovered that three-quarters of atherosclerosis patients also had chronic ED.
If the root cause of your erection issues has to do with blood flow to the penis, sex enhancers may be able to help.
For instance, some supplements contain ingredients that can boost vasodilation. Meaning, they may help relax and widen the blood vessels to allow for increased flow.
That said, be sure to check the list of ingredients of a sex-enhancing product first. Be on the lookout for ingredients such as L-arginine.
It’s an amino acid that changes into nitric oxide (NO), a key component in vasodilation.
Some doctors do recommend the use of arginine supplements to their patients with ED. However, these products may still contain ingredients that can interact with other drugs.
That’s why you should consult your doctor first before using these products, especially if you’re on any medication.
Your Erection Doesn’t Last Long
Becoming “limp” too soon is another sign of ED.
How soon is soon depends on many factors, but a study found that the average length of erection is 5.4 minutes. That’s only the average, so it’s possible that the normal for you is longer than 10 minutes.
Either way, if your erections now don’t last as long as they did before, you may be suffering from ED.
If your doctor diagnoses you with ED, you have four FDA-approved treatment options. These include sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra), and avanafil (Stendra).
These four can help treat the symptoms of ED, and in that way, serve as sexual performance drugs.
You “Release” Too Soon
If you achieve orgasm too early, then what you have is premature ejaculation (PE).
This is more common than ED, with one in three men aged 18 to 59 suffering from it. Still, some doctors prescribe any of the four FDA-licensed drugs to help with PE.
As for supplements, many of these contain Asian herbs and extracts that might help with PE. An example is Epimedium (Horny Goat Weed), which appears to aid in vasodilation.
Another is Tribulus Terrestris, which seems to have an effect on sexual endurance.
While it won’t hurt to try them, it’s in your best interest to seek your doctor’s approval first.
This way, you can be sure that none of the ingredients in these supplements will lead to side effects.
You’ve Become Disinterested in Sex
Libido, or sex drive, refers to a person’s interest in engaging in sexual activities. As such, low libido levels can make someone lose interest in having sex.
It’s a problem that affects both men and women.
In women, as many as 40% say that their sex drive has plummeted.
It’s also common in men, with low testosterone levels being a common factor. Low levels of this hormone affect an estimated 2.1% to 12.8% of middle-aged to older males.
If you don’t seem to “get into it” most nights, it’s possible that you’re lacking in testosterone.
In some people, especially women, low libido may even make it painful to have sex.
At the same time, chronic pain in other parts of the body can also reduce sex drive.
At the moment, there are only two FDA-approved libido-enhancing drugs for women.
The FDA approved Addyi as the first-ever libido booster, while Vyleesi is the second. In men, Jatenzo is the only FDA-approved oral testosterone drug.
Scientists are also looking into testosterone supplementation or therapy to treat low libido.
A large analysis of studies found that it helped boost desire and pleasure in women.
The therapy also showed positive effects on men whose low libido resists ED drugs.
Sex Enhancing Drugs Can Help so Long as Properly Used
As you can see, sex enhancing drugs can indeed be helpful for various sexual disorders.
However, it’s vital that you first get yourself checked by your doctor before you use any of these drugs.
After all, it’s possible that your bed issues are a symptom of a more serious medical problem.
Besides, many of these products work in different ways and treat different conditions.
That’s why it’s best to first determine what’s behind your problem so that you can treat it properly. Want to stay updated on the latest in health and primary care?
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