7 Common Side Effects of Erectile Dysfunction Prescription Drugs You Should Know

Male arousal is a complex interplay of hormones, nerves, blood flow, emotions, and muscular response. A medical or physical condition affecting any or a combination of these factors can lead to sexual or erectile dysfunction. For example, cardiovascular diseases, which can cause problems in blood flow, nerves, and hormones, are the leading culprit for sexual dysfunction in men. Other health problems such as high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, pelvic trauma, and depression can also negatively impact your ability to get an erection.

 

How ED Drugs Work

 Thankfully, given the scientific leaps mankind has achieved over years of research and product development, there are a variety of medications that can help in this field. One of the most prominent discoveries is the little blue pill or Viagra, the first approved drug to treat erectile dysfunction. It releases nitric oxide (NO) into the bloodstream, which causes relaxation of the smooth muscles lining the blood vessels, which causes improved filling of the penile blood vessels– the mechanism of action for erections. Since then, other pharmaceutical companies have created their formulations, such as Levitra, Avanafil, and Cialis. Indeed, they have helped millions of people from all over the world. These work in a similar fashion as the pioneer drug Viagra. The more blood flow to the penis, the easier it is to have and maintain an erection.

 

Are ED Drugs Safe To Take?

Most ED drugs are carefully formulated and manufactured and are thus safe. But, of course, it can still cause unwanted side effects in some people. Also, note that ED drugs are often prescribed to be taken on an as-needed basis or for a short time only. Some research documents the long-term effects of these due to the high health risks that can occur along the way if used beyond the prescribed period.

 

Here are some of the most common ED medication side effects that we need to be aware of, especially for those planning to take these aforementioned enhancement drugs.

 

1. Headaches

Because ED drugs release nitric oxide (NO) in the blood, their effect on the blood vessels is not localized to the penis. Other blood vessels in the body, such as those supplying our head and neck areas, are also dilated. This may cause throbbing headaches. If you feel that your headaches are more bothersome than usual, you should ask your physician about them to avoid complications or any undesirable consequences. Remember that an ounce of prevention is always better than a pound of cure.

 

2. Dizziness

In a similar mechanism to headaches, dizziness is also a common complaint among men taking ED pills. It may range from a few seconds of dizziness to something that already affects your daily life. Do not hesitate to contact your doctor if you experience this. Especially if you have underlying conditions or are taking other medications simultaneously, you should report immediately to rule out drug interactions or exacerbation of your health conditions due to ED medication.

 

3. Nasal Congestion and Chest Tightness

A considerable number of males using ED medications report nasal congestion and chest tightness. The reason for the runny nose symptom lies in the blood vessels lining the mucosa of your nose, which also dilate in response to nitric oxide. ED medications may aggravate your nasal congestion and should be considered if you’re prone to allergic rhinitis.

Meanwhile, chest tightness can also result due to the increased cardiac load secondary to nitric oxide. This can cause the heart to have a compensatory increase in heart rate to accommodate the increased cardiac load, so some men also report palpitations or elevated heart rates.

However, it is crucial to mention that individuals should not ignore chest tightness. That’s because most patients with erectile dysfunction have underlying cardiac problems. If you are experiencing chest tightness worsening with activity and not relieved by rest, muscular weakness, radiating pain to the arms, jaw, or back, and difficulty breathing, you might be having a heart attack.

 

4. Gastrointestinal disturbance

Indigestion or dyspepsia is a common symptom many individuals experience. Studies have shown a correlation between ED drugs and gastric motility, possibly due to the relaxing effect of nitric oxide on the proximal stomach muscles. This enables the stomach muscles to stretch and accommodate more food while keeping the intragastric pressure low. The result of this is delayed delivery of the gastric contents to the small intestines. Researchers believe this also explains why patients taking ED medications also report earlier satiety than non-ED medication users.

 

5. Muscle Pains

Some men also experience muscle pains and aches, whether in a localized region or all over the body. In such instances, it is best to talk to your doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions causing this symptom.

 

6. Visual Impairments

There have been documented ophthalmologic side effects for some ED medications. This can involve the blurring of vision, hypersensitivity to light or photopsia, problems with color perception, and even blue-green coloring of their sight. If you notice any of these when you are taking ED medications, you should highly consider going to your doctor.

 

7. Skin Flushing

When your vessels dilate after taking an ED medication, the increased blood flow can manifest as flushing or blushing. Suppose this side effect does not go away after a few minutes or hours. In that case, you are feeling extremely hot or heavily perspiring. Moreover, if you often participate in heavy exercises or eat spicy food, your flushing may worsen and could even lead to dehydration if ignored. You should seek the opinion of a medical expert to ensure your health is not compromised.

 

ED Medications — The Good And The Bad

It cannot be denied how life-changing ED medications have been for the past few decades. However, we must not overlook the possible side effects by focusing entirely on the advantages it brings us. Remember that lifestyle changes, eating healthier, getting enough exercise, having adequate relaxation and leisure time can also improve your sexual capabilities and arousal! Make sure to treat your health holistically and not compromise other internal organs for short-term fixes.