Herbs and Natural Alternatives to
Erectile Dysfunction Drugs
Alternatives to
prescription medications and drugs
Male erectile dysfunction is defined as the consistent inability to obtain or
maintain an erection for satisfactory sexual relations. For many years patients
relied on medications for erectile dysfunction treatment, but now there is a
growing number of effective herbs and supplements, providing a natural
alternative to erectile dysfunction drugs.
Note: There is a higher rate of heart disease in men with erectile dysfunction.
All men, particularly older men, with erectile dysfunction and no cardiac
symptoms need a medical evaluation, detailed cardiac assessment, blood pressure
measurement, lipid profile and blood sugar test, as well as lifestyle advice
regarding weight, diet, and exercise.
Passion Rx for more sexual pleasure and
enhancement
Supplements used for erectile dysfunction include
lj100, Passion Rx,
Horny-Goat-Weed herb, maca, and catuaba. Consider learning more about
libido enhancement.
Later on we discuss the various factors factors involved in psychological and
organic erectile dysfunction, but for now we wanted to let you know about a
discovery regarding years of research in formulating an herbal blend to enhance
sexual stamina and support healthy erectile function. We are proud to announce a
wonderful blend called Passion Rx which has more than a dozen
aphrodisiac herbs.
Q. Can I use Viagra or Cialis in combination with
Passion-Rx Yohimbe for my ED? I'm 49 and want results for ED and easier
ejaculations. No problems with the sex drive, but I could use some sensitivity
aid. Also, how can this work for my male symptoms and a woman?
A. Passion Rx should not be taken the same day as Viagra or Cialis,
but can be taken 2 consecutive days before intimacy. The sexual enhancing
effects of this natural herbal product can linger a day or two after stopping
it. Male and female sexual response are much more similar than people realize in
terms of the biochemistry involved. Please have approval by your doctor. Many
people find that a lower dosage of the prescription ED drugs works just as well
once they have the herbal aphrodisiacs in their system.
How Common is erectile
dysfunction?
Data from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study has indicated that the prevalence
of erectile dysfunction of any degree is 50% in men between the ages of 40 to 70
years. At least 20 million American men have some degree of erectile
dysfunction, and about one in 10 adult males suffers from erectile dysfunction
long-term. About 40% of men in their 40s report at least occasional problems
getting and maintaining erections. So do more than half (52%) of men aged 40 to
70, and about 70% of men in their 70s. Hardening of the arteries alone accounts
for 50% of erectile dysfunction cases in men 60 and older. Between 35% and 50%
of men with diabetes have erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction and age
Erectile dysfunction is part of normal aging in men, while urinary or bowel
function doesn't necessarily decline with age.
Understanding the Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction can be classified simply under two headings. Psychological
erectile dysfunction: that is, mental; or Organic erectile dysfunction: that is,
due to some form of physical or medical problem. Organic erectile dysfunction
becomes more common as men get older.
Psychological causes of Erectile Dysfunction
The causes of psychological erectile dysfunction are numerous, and it is
difficult to list them all, but most often erectile dysfunction is related to
depression, performance anxiety, marital stress or relationship problems, life
crisis, financial difficulties, religious repression, or some type of mental
illness. Improving erectile dysfunction in these cases may require addressing
the underlying causes. Psychotherapy may help some individuals overcome
psychological erectile dysfunction.
Organic causes of Erectile Dysfunction
There are four major causes of organic erectile dysfunction: Vascular, Neural,
Hormonal, and Drug-induced. The type of erectile dysfunction determines the
treatment approach.
1. Vascular causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Alterations in the flow of blood to and from the penis are thought to be a
common cause of male erectile dysfunction. For instance, medical conditions such
as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), high cholesterol, hypertension,
or diabetes reduce blood flow to the penis and genital organs thus leading to
difficulty with erection or genital swelling. Erectile dysfunction could be an
early indication of oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction. A vascular
problem in the penis may precede a wider, systemic problem in other blood
vessels in the body. Patients with cardiovascular disease and patients with
diabetes represent the largest group of patients with erectile dysfunction.
Lowering cholesterol through diet, supplements, or medicines improves erectile
dysfunction.
Metabolic syndrome can increase inflammatory markers in blood and negatively
influence endothelial function resulting in poor vasodilation and a higher
incidence of erectile dysfunction.
Additional factors that can impede blood flow include penile injury and surgery
in the pelvic and abdominal area. Smoking can reduce genital blood flow. Some
men with erectile dysfunction may have an underlying vascular disease such as
atherosclerosis.
Cardiac Patients
Erectile dysfunction is common in
cardiac patients and shares the same risk factors - smoking, hypertension,
hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus. Sexual activity is not unduly stressful to
the heart and, providing patients are properly assessed using established
guidelines, sexual intercourse can be enjoyed without increased risk. Erectile
dysfunction in asymptomatic patients may be a marker of silent vascular disease
or increased vascular risk factors and should alert the physician to the need
for cardiac risk screening.
Physical
fitness positively influences sexual desire and performance.
Smoking
Smoking causes
erectile dysfunction by harming the health of blood vessels.
Cigarette smoking has been strongly linked with erectile dysfunction, with
smokers at a 50 percent greater risk than non-smokers of having difficulty
achieving an erection. Smoking contributes to erectile dysfunction by impairing
penile blood flow, interfering with the nitric oxide activity essential for
erection, or lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), which is known
to be involved in erectile dysfunction. Urology, December 2006.
2. Neural causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Nerve damage from disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease,
diabetes, and stroke affect the brain’s ability to respond to sexual stimulation
and cause erectile dysfunction. In women, abdominal or pelvic operations can
occasionally lead to nerve damage. Erectile dysfunction is common in men
undergoing surgical treatment for prostate enlargement or cancer.
3. Hormonal causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Low levels of androgens, such as testosterone, are sometimes a component of
erectile dysfunction. Testosterone levels decline about 1 percent each year in
men, which may contribute to erectile dysfunction with aging. Testosterone also
declines with age in women leading to a decrease in female libido. Replacement
of androgens can sometimes be helpful in those with age related erectile
dysfunction. Testosterone is available by prescription only. An over the counter
hormones, such as DHEA, converts into testosterone and thus has a positive
influence on erectile dysfunction. Pregnenolone is another over the counter
hormone that may increase testosterone levels and thus improve erectile
dysfunction. Many herbal aphrodisiacs also have a positive influence on erectile
dysfunction. Routine hormone blood studies for erectile dysfunction evaluation
are not needed during the initial evaluation but perhaps later if treatment
modalities are not successful. Prominent diseases of the endocrine system, such
as diabetes mellitus, hypogonadism, and hyperprolactinemia, may cause erectile
dysfunction. Sometimes erectile dysfunction treatment with hormones such as DHEA
or testosterone can be effective.
4. Drug or Medication-induced Erectile Dysfunction
Drugs that interfere with erectile function include some anti-hypertensives,
SSRIs (like Prozac), sedatives, and beta-blockers. SSRIs - treatment for
depression - cause erectile dysfunction mostly due to their effect on serotonin
metabolism. Serotonin has an inhibitory effect on erectile function and
sexuality. Beta blockers such as propranolol, atenolol, and others, are some of
the most common medications that cause erectile dysfunction.
Surprisingly, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen also cause erectile
dysfunction. Regardless of the reason for taking them, painkillers classified as
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) apparently increase the
likelihood that middle-aged and elderly men will develop erection difficulties.
A study involved 1126 men, between 50 and 70 years of age, without erectile
dysfunction in 1994 when they completed a questionnaire that included, among
other things, questions about erectile function and medication usage. The
questionnaire was then re-administered five years later. The investigators found
that the erectile dysfunction rate was 93 cases per 1000 persons per year among
NSAID users compared with just 35 cases among nonusers.
Some chemicals involved in the human sexual response include dopamine,
acetylcholine, and nitric oxide. All these three natural chemicals and others
can be manipulated n the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Alcohol's negative
affect on sex drive increases with age. Heavy smoking is an important risk
factor for erectile dysfunction in men.
It has been known for quite some time that certain drugs cause impotence
or erectile dysfunction. The most common of these drugs are the SSRI
antidepressants such as Prozac, and beta blockers such as propranolol. Beta
blockers are used for cardiovascular conditions. However, it was a
surprise when researchers in Finland found that the use of
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increases the risk of
erectile dysfunction in middle-age and elderly men. NSAIDs include
prescription and over the counter drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen
mainly used for arthritis or musculoskeletal pain.
Q. After reading your article, I have come to the
conclusion that I am one of those men over 50 who are experiencing ED. Recently,
I was unable to maintain an erection hard enough for anal intercourse with my
lover. During our time together, I noticed he went to the bathroom very briefly
and returned with a 'flagpole' erection. Excuse me for being blunt but he
returned with a 'bone hard' erection. Our encounter was very brief and seemed
'staged.' After researching the literature, I believe that he must applied a
'prostaglandin-derivative' cream to his penis. He also gave me the number for a
clinic that specializes in ED. I am hesitant about using alprostadil cream;
since the sex is so matter of fact or wham bam, thank you man! What do you think
I should do? Below is a list of Rx and supplements that I take daily; as well as
my exercise regimen and drinking habits. Lisinopril 10mg/day/am I was diagnosed
with idiopathic HTN at age 49. Zoloft 50mg for depression / moodiness. DHEA 50mg
for better resistance and stamina, glucosamine and chronditin complex for joint
ache and pain, table wine with evening meal (1-2 glasses) 2-3 times a week.
A. Zoloft and other SSRI drugs used for depression can cause ED and
so can certain blood pressure medications and excess use of hormones.
Erectile Dysfunction and Medical conditions
Certain medical conditions cause
erectile dysfunction or reduce libido,
performance, or enjoyment. These include hypertension, diabetes, high
cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, obesity, peripheral vascular disease, neurologic disorders, and insomnia. Erectile dysfunction is almost twice
as common in men with symptoms of overactive bladder as it is in men without
overactive bladder.
Sitting on a bicycle too long. Men who log several thousand miles a year on
their mountain bikes suffer scrotal damage that could reduce their fertility or
cause erectile dysfunction.
Erectile Dysfunction and Cardiac Patients
Erectile dysfunction is common in cardiac patients and shares the same risk
factors - smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus. Sexual
activity is not unduly stressful to the heart and, providing patients are
properly assessed using established guidelines, sexual intercourse can be
enjoyed without increased risk. Erectile dysfunction in asymptomatic patients
may be a marker of silent vascular disease or increased vascular risk factors
and should alert the physician to the need for cardiac risk screening.
Physical fitness positively influences sexual desire and performance. Moderate
exercise may help boost sexual function in men with heart failure. The results
may be good news for some men with erectile dysfunction, because Viagra and
other similar erectile dysfunction drugs can have dangerous interactions with
medications commonly prescribed to treat heart failure.
Basic facts about erectile
dysfunction
Overweight men are more likely to have erectile dysfunction
Common causes of erectile dysfunction include nerve diseases, psychological
conditions and diseases that affect blood flow. A number of prescription drugs
and over-the-counter drugs may also cause ED by affecting a man's hormones,
nerves or blood circulation
Tobacco, alcohol and recreational drugs can all damage a man's blood vessels
and/or restrict blood flow to the penis, causing erectile dysfunction
Regular exercise can reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction
Stress and anxiety are leading causes of temporary erectile dysfunction
Erectile Dysfunction and Heart Disease
A large study of men age 55 and older adds to evidence that erectile dysfunction
can be a warning sign for heart disease. Men with erectile dysfunction were more
likely than other men to experience chest pain, a heart attack or a stroke
during the next seven years, the study found. The results suggest that men who
see their doctors for erectile dysfunction drugs also should consider getting
screened for heart disease.
How effective are Erectile
Dysfunction Drugs?
Pharmacotherapy of erectile dysfunction
Urologiia. 2000 Jan-Feb;(1):33-8. Links
Among the drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction most common are
prostaglandins El, viagra, iochimbin, vasodilators and desaggregants, vitamins,
biogenic stimulators, etc. The comparative analysis of their efficacy was made
in 360 patients with erectile dysfunction, primarily at subcompensated stage,
aged 17-83 years. Organic and psychogenic erectile dysfunctions were diagnosed
in 69 and 31% of the patients, respectively. Intracavernous injections of
prostaglandin El (Caverject) were effective in 74%, transurethral alprostadil
(MUSE) when adjusting the dose--in 38% of the patients. Iochimbin in patients
with organic and psychogenic forms of erectile dysfunctions was effective in 25
and 40% of patients, respectively. In 26.3 and 19% of such patients the response
was obtained after use of the combination including xantinol, nicotinate,
trental, biogenic stimulators and adaptogens. Viagra was effective in 60 and 77%
of patients with psychogenic and organic erectile dysfunctions, respectively.
Biking as a cause of erectile
dysfunction
Spending too much time on a bicycle seat can compress the artery and vital
nerves leading to the penis and in some men can cause erectile dysfunction. A
male cyclist has a significant part of his body weight on his perineum, an area
between the scrotum and the anus where the nerves and arteries to the penis
pass. This pressure -- and a narrow saddle seat -- can injure the arteries and
nerves. Even as little as a few hours a week of cycling can increase the risk
for bicycle seat erectile dysfunction. One option while riding is to take
frequent breaks to allow the blood vessels an nerves of the perineum to readjust
and function normally. The good news is that erectile dysfunction from cycling
is almost always temporary and reversible.
Erectile dysfunction questions
Q. I have been confronted with
erectile dysfunction for almost three years
now. I taken most of the leading brands of medications, and herbs including the
expensive and painful Boston Medical group treatment but no avail. Does Passion
RX Yohimbe treat erectile dysfunction
challenge and Early ejeculation challenge? I need help.
Be honest with me. Any help will be highly appreciated
A. Passion Rx with yohimbe is a very popular product, and many
people also like alternating it with Prostate Power Rx. Please discuss with your
doctor regarding the use of these supplements. There is no way to predict any
individual person's response. We wonder what the Boston Medical group treatment
is.
Q. I am 55 and have erectile dysfunction. I have had
this problem for several years. I have been on testosterone therapy and Cialis
for about a month. It is not working sufficiently. All it is doing is keeping me
preoccupied with what it is not enabling me to do and keeping me awake at night
with the desire but no capability. I want to try the Passion Rx but I wanted to
get some guidance from you first. I have started to walk and do resistance
exercises to lose weight and hopefully restore some blood flow. I am diabetic
but not seriously yet. I'd like to be able to satisfy my wife like I did in the
old days. Will Passion Rx really help me to any extent for erectile dysfunction?
Q. I am a 55 yr old hetero male with a regular partner.
At this age I find that I am suffering from erectile dysfunction and the meds
don't help. I have tried oral meds (with little help) and cant tolerate the side
effects and the injections are painful and dont help much. My doctors have
suggested a prostheses, but before considering that I am interested in
alterative measures to solve this problem .
A. It is difficult to predict which sex enhancing herb will be
helpful, or which combination of herbs, or which sex improving product will be
effective in any particular person. Sometimes it takes trial and error to find
out.
Q. Does
CoQ10
improve erectile dysfunction?
A. Coq10 does not seem to play a major role in erection, at least
it does not have a quick effect on sexual enhancement.
Q. I have read a study of using Propionyl L-Carnitine
and Acetyl-L-Carnitine coupled with Viagra to combat erectile dysfunction in
diabetics. However, has any study results revealed that this treatment is
effective with those who suffer high blood pressure and are taking high blood
pressure meds. I specifically take Lisinopril, Valsartan, and
hydrochlorothiazide.
A. We are not aware of any studies that have evaluated the
combination of acetyl carnitine or other carnitine supplements in the treatment
of erectile dysfunction in combination with prescription medications for blood
pressure or other purposes. If one is already taking prescription medications
and wants to begin taking supplements, it is wise to begin with low dosages.
Q. I'm a 52-year old man who is having erectile
dysfunction. I've been seen by a doctor and apparently my heart is in pretty
good shape, my cholesterol levels are excellent, blood sugar levels good; I
guess I'm just getting older. Passion Rx sounds like it might be worth a try,
but I've had nosebleed problems for many years. Could Passion Rx cause
nosebleeds? I sure don't want to add to my problems.
A. Passion Rx has been sold for over 4 years and we have not even
had one case of nosebleed reported.
Please help me, I'm a diabetic and I'm currently taking metformin 500mg
twice a day. I'm suffering from erectile dysfunction and I'm thinking about
taking l-citrulline 750mg three times a day and l-arginine 500mg three times a
day, do you think I will get some got results far as being harder and firmer?
It is not possible for us to predict whether a supplement or
medication will work. It is quite likely, though, with trial and error, and with
medical supervision, that you will find a supplement or formula that helps you.
Q. How many years would someone have to be smoking in order to
get erectile dysfunction?
A. Some people may begin having vascular disease within a few
months of smoking while for others it may take several years or decades to
impede blood flow to the penis.
Q. Recently saw an ad in Golf magazine about
Zyrexin as an enhancer for
erectile dysfunction
and started to do my research on this product. I had never
heard of Zyrexin before. While doing research, I came across your web site. I
had recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer and had the radical
prostatectomy. It's been about 8 months and still can't seem to get a full
erection. Was wondering if this type of
erectile dysfunction
product would help me. My doctor gave me a perscription for
Levitra. But I hesitate to get involved with that just yet. I was hoping for a
more natural recovery with natural supplements. So, I started to research the
ingredient "nitric oxide". Can you advise?
A. We prefer not to comment on other products unless they make
claims that are truly untruthful. On the Zyrexin website we quickly noticed one
untruthful statement, " Zyrexin is the world's only natural sex pill to be
awarded the exclusive rights to the compound butea superba." This is not true
since butea superba is a natural herb that can be used by anyone. Hence, we find
it unnecessary to continue reading the Zyrexin website any further.
Q. I have erectile dysfunction and have tried
various Internet
best male
enhancement pill products plus prescriptions. Will Passion-Rx Yohimbe help with
that condition like say Viagra? Are there other products that I should be
looking at?
A. There are many herbs and herbal formulas used for erectile
dysfunction treatment and it is difficult to predict in any one individual which
product will work for them best. Sometimes it takes a trial with 2 or 3
different ones to find one that works really well. Passion Rx is a popular and
effective sexual enhancing formula.
Q. How well does yohimbe bark
extract work as an erectile dysfunction treatment?
A. Yohimbe extract alkaloid yohimbine is a prescription medication
currently available but not prescribed as much since the advent of ED drugs such
as sildenafil and its cousins. However, this herb is effective as a natural ED
treatment.
Of all the herbs used for ED, how would you rank them.
Would you rank Siberian red ginseng higher than horny goat weed?
It's difficult to say since different people respond
differently to herbs and medications. For instance, some people have a better
response to Viagra while others like Cialis or Levitra. Also, it depends on the
quality of the herb, how it is processed, and the extract potency.