The effects of erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate) are felt by an estimated 30 million American adult males routinely, and the chances only increase with age.
When dealing with such a common issue there will naturally be many options available in terms of medication. Some of the most well-known PDE5 inhibitors (more on that later) are tadalafil (Cialis®), sildenafil (Viagra®) and vardenafil (Levitra).
The biggest difference between these medications is that Cialis® is the only one that is approved for daily use at a low dosage. The other options are only intended to be taken immediately in advance of sexual activities, while the effects of Cialis® can last up to 36 hours.
As a result of these key differences, Cialis® is one of the most popular treatments for erectile dysfunction, but also one of the more expensive choices as well. So, it’s important to make sure that the extra money being spent isn’t being wasted, and that you are able to get the absolute most that you can from your Cialis® -- here’s how.
What is Cialis® and What How Does It Work?
As mentioned above, Cialis® is a PDE5 inhibitor that helps to combat the effects of erectile dysfunction.
PDE5 is the shortened version of phosphodiesterase 5, which is an enzyme that affects cell signaling in the human body, and is known to cause erectile dysfunction-related issues.
Tadalafil (the generic name for Cialis®) is a PDE5 inhibitor, so it blocks the effects of PDE5, and as a result, relaxes muscles and increases blood flow to specific areas of the penis that allow for erections to occur and be maintained.
Cialis® is one of the longer lasting medications available in terms of how long it stays in the body and its effects, so close attention must be paid to dosage. Low doses can typically be used daily but higher doses should be reserved for times of need just before sexual activity.
Factors That Contribute To Erectile Dysfunction
When a man has difficulty becoming or staying erect long enough for sexual activity then they are experiencing erectile dysfunction.
Some men may only experience this occasionally, but for some men it can be routine. The research can vary but one of the most popular studies amongst experts is the 1994 Massachusetts Male Aging Study. This study claims that roughly 52% of men routinely experience some form of erectile dysfunction.
Anything that affects that many people will naturally have a ton of research and studies devoted to it, and there has been a lot of information learned about erectile dysfunction over the years.
Here are some of the most common factors and conditions that contribute to erectile dysfunction:
- Age: One of the primary factors and of erectile dysfunction. As men age their testosterone levels drop naturally and as a result erectile dysfunction becomes more common. Studies show that after the age of 50 the sexual function of men tends to sharply decrease.
- Diabetes: Poor long term blood sugar control and regulation in the body can cause damage to nerves and blood vessels. This damage can create issues with blood circulation in the body and can greatly contribute to erectile dysfunction related issues.
- Obesity: Men who are overweight will see a significant increase in the likelihood of developing erectile dysfunction. One study suggests that 79% of people experiencing erectile dysfunction have a body mass index of over 25 indicating they are overweight or obese. Along with creating blood circulation issues, obesity has been proven to lower testosterone levels in men as well. Increasing waist size by just four inches can result in a 75% chance of lowering testosterone levels significantly.
- Depression: Research has shown a strong correlation between depression and erectile dysfunction. In some cases, it’s unclear if erectile dysfunction causes the depression or vice versa but the symptoms of depression often include issues related to sexualy activities such as erectile dysfunction.
Some other contributing factors and situations include:
- Alcohol and Drug Use
- Smoking
- Heart Disease
- High Blood Pressure
- Blocked Blood Vessels
- Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
- High Cholesterol
- Metabolic Syndromes
- Stress
- Indigestion
- Sleep Disorders
- Relationship Issues
- Prostate Cancer Treatments
- Anxiety
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson’s Disease
Ways To Reduce Risk Factors and Increase the Effects Of Cialis
With so many factors and conditions contributing to erectile dysfunction, it can seem overwhelming trying to reduce them.
But the truth is, most of these factors tend to feed into each other and enhance the effects of the conditions.
For example, someone that routinely smokes cigarettes may not get enough physical exercise in their lives, which can lead to them being overweight, and over time could lead to diabetes. All four of those factors contribute directly to erectile dysfunction, but it all started as only one factor and snowballed into several.
Here is a list of lifestyle changes and tips that can help reduce erectile dysfunction and the conditions that may be causing it:
- Reduce portion sizes, eat a more balanced diet, and eliminate fatty and high sugar content from your diet, you can lose excess pounds and maintain a healthier weight, especially when paired with a regular exercise routine. Having a body mass index under 25 can greatly reduce the chances of erectile dysfunction.
- Eliminate smoking and the use of all tobacco products. The overall harmful effects of smoking have been well documented and are widely known. In terms of erectile dysfunction, smoking increases the strain on the heart and lungs, severely impacting blood flow and circulation which are direct contriubtors to getting and maintaining an erection.
- Increasing physical activity and exercise can help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, reduce body fat, and increase testosterone. Each of these are significant factors to erectile dysfunction and changing them for the positive will immediately be beneficial.
- Find ways to reduce stress if any way possible. Anxiety, stress and depression are some of the largest psychological factors behind erectile dysfunction. Yoga, mediation or other stress reducing activities such as exercise can help to improve general mood and help to negate the emotion contributors of erectile dysfunction.
Along with these lifestyle changes there are other things that can be done that specifically help to maximize the effectiveness of Cialis®:
- While watching your diet can help you lose weight and get healthier overall, your diet will directly impact Cialis® and how it works. High fat and heavy meals such as steak, hamburgers, and lasagna can cause Cialis® to take a little while longer to work. It’s best to avoid these meals for at least two hours before taking Cialis®, but if possible, you should avoid them the entire day. Meals that are heavy and include high fat content will cause blood to divert to the digestive system in order to help break them down. This change in blood flow means less will be going toward the penis, making erections more difficult even with medication.
- When talking with a doctor about the possibility of taking Cialis®, it’s important to know all other medications you are taking. Cialis® itself has very few side effects, but combinations with other chemicals and medications could be dangerous. Nitrates, such as nitroglycerin and isosorbide, and drugs containing amyl or butyl nitrate can be especially dangerous and should not be taken with Cialis®. Also there are medications that would cause the body to process and eliminate Cialis® faster, limiting or negating its effectiveness. Some of those medications include: phenytoin, fosphenytoin, carbamazepine and rifampin. It’s important for your doctor to know what medications you are taking before you get a prescription for Cialis®.
- Patience is important when using Cialis® as it may take more time than anticipated for its effects to kick in. Given the nature of the drug it can be quite a challenge and very frustrating having to wait, but it’s important not to take too much. Keep in mind that Cialis® typically works for up to 36 hours, so it’s not as intense of an effect as some of the other options available. If the results are taking too long, then talk to your doctor about upping the dosage or maybe trying a different ED medication. Also it's important to note that with any medication there will be an adjustment period required for the body. As a result it may take a few doses before the medication causes the desired response in the body.
The Takeaway: There are many different factors and situations that contribute to erectile dysfunction. Working to reduce their negative impacts will go a long way toward increasing the effectiveness of medications such as Cialis®.
There are several issues that contribute to erectile dysfunction, such as age or underlying medical conditions, that aren’t in your control so it’s important to focus on improving the ones that are.
A healthier diet and increased physical exercise are two very reasonable lifestyle changes that will both help reduce the risk for erectile dysfunction and increase the effects of Cialis®.
SOURCES
Questions and Answers for Cialis (tadalafil) | FDA
