Many men find it awkward to talk about erectile dysfunction, although it's a very common condition and nothing to feel ashamed about. Between 30 and 50 million American men reportedly experience erection problems today, up from an estimated 18 million men in 2007. This dramatic increase is partly due to increased awareness and the lessening of the taboo surrounding discussion and reporting of the condition. It also explains the growing demand for information on Cialis vs Viagra.
Problems with male arousal can have a devastating impact on the quality of life for men, their partners and others close to them. Left untreated, it can lead to the development of anxiety, low self-esteem, depression and relationship difficulties so it's important to be aware of what steps can be taken for relief from this issue.
This blog compares two of the most popular treatments currently available, looking at their effectiveness, affordability and safety profile as well as the Cialis vs Viagra side effects. When it comes to the question about which medication might suit them best, being aware of the effects of each medication and the difference between them gives men a helping hand to choose the option that best fulfils their specific requirements.
Choosing the right treatment matters. Oral medications remain the most popular therapy option for erectile dysfunction and accounted for over 84% of the $2.9 billion worldwide market in 2024. Oral treatments can be easily administered in a range of applications that offer fast-acting, clinically proven results and provide relief from arousal difficulty for periods of 4-6 hours in the short term to 36 hours in the long term.
Cialis vs Viagra are the two dominant players in the market, respectively accounting for over 60% and 27% of the US market share in 2024. When comparing these treatments, it's important to understand how they work and the effects and benefits each of them has to offer.
While both medications provide penile hardness, neither increases sexual desire. Both work by ensuring the presence of nitric oxide that helps blood vessels to relax. Higher amounts of nitric oxide in the body decompress the smooth muscles in the penis, which facilitates increased blood flow to achieve and maintain stronger erections when sexually stimulated.
Impotence, or erectile dysfunction, is the persistent inability for men to achieve or maintain an erection that is capable of sexual intercourse. Often age-related, with men between 50 and 59 are three and a half times more likely to suffer from the condition than those between 18 and 29, but it's something that affects over 40% of American men under 40 and then increases by 10% per decade to affect approximately 70% of men over the age of 70.
Demand for erectile dysfunction treatment is closely linked to a variety of physical and psychological factors, including age, medication, poor diet, health and lifestyle factors. Smoking and recreational drugs do a lot of damage to the body by reducing blood flow, affect hormone levels and cause nerve damage. Around 90% of cases are estimated to have at least one physical cause while 10% are due to psychological causes like stress, anxiety, depression and relationship problems. This dramatic increase has left many men askingis Cialis better than Viagra.
The little blue pill, as the first oral ED medication on the market since its approval by the FDA in 1998, remains the most well-known and popular treatment. Sildenafil is the active ingredient in Viagra and has an effective period lasting 4 to 6 hours. Depending on the individual, it can take between 30 and 60 minutes to work and is best taken at least an hour before sex, on an empty stomach, as food, particularly those high in fat, can decrease its rate of absorption.
The safety and tolerability of this active ingredient has been proven in numerous studies and side effects, though not common are generally mild and include headache, indigestion, heartburn and flushing. In extreme cases a permanent erection (over 4 hours) or priapism can occur. When this happens, men should speak with their healthcare provider without delay.
This treatment has been gaining ground since its FDA approval in Nov 2003 and uses the longer-lasting alternative tadalafil as its active ingredient. It is not affected by food and works at lower dosages. Often referred to as 'the Weekend Pill' due to its extended duration period of effectiveness, it can take effect after 30 minutes but reaches maximum effect after 2 hours where it remains for up to 36 hours. Side effects of tadalafil are also minimal but are similar to other medications in this class if they do occur, with few differences.
The complete list of side effects for both treatments can be accessed via the Cialis or Viagra patient information leaflet available using the link above.
When it comes to Cialis vs Viagra, although they use different active ingredients they are in the same class of medications. They expand blood vessels and increase blood flow to the penis. The cost of both treatments is similar and both are considered equally effective and well-tolerated in providing the same quality of erections.
Sildenafil typically comes in doses of 100 mg but is available in 25 mg all the way to 200 mg but should only be taken once every 24 hours. Tadalafil can be taken in lower doses of 5mg-20 mg as needed or in even higher dosages of 40mg, 60mg and 80mg that can be taken daily. Neither medication is inherently stronger or more powerful or makes you harder than the other - they're just different.
Both Cialis vs Viagra offer unique advantages in terms of duration, onset time and patient preference with the main difference between them is how long they last. Tadalafil is mainly known for its longer duration of up to 36 hours and has the additional benefit of being able to be taken on an empty stomach or with a meal, with no concern that high-fat food will reduce the absorption of the medicine.
Which is better Viagra or Cialis? It's a common question whose answer depends on the individual and their approach to intimacy. Some prefer the long-lasting effects of the weekender, as it extends the period for potential sexual activity which can be useful when intimacy can't be precisely planned. Its 36-hour window of effectiveness provides some relief from worrying about time constraints, allows for greater spontaneity and is particularly helpful for those occasions when endurance is needed.
Others prefer the effective, utilitarian reliability that made the blue pill so popular to begin with and find the shorter effective periods more convenient. Sometimes referred to as the 'Couple's aid' for those who prefer to plan in advance, it can be ideal for men who want effective results for a more direct, 'in the moment' approach. The best choice will ultimately depend on the individual, their health, lifestyle requirements and frequency of use.
Determining which is best, Cialis vs Viagra can often be a process of trial and error. If one doesn't work, the dosage may need to be increased, or an alternative medication may be tried. In fact, many men find regularly switching between different treatments works best for them. If any side effects are experienced with either drug, stop and switch to the other medication. If the side effects are severe or long-lasting, seek prompt medical attention.
Age and health considerations can influence the choice as those with mild liver disease or on renal dialysis, for example, should use lower dosages of either medication. Sometimes taking health medication in the morning and the shorter-acting Viagra in the evening provides enough time for the medications not to interfere with each other and minimizes any adverse interactions. When it comes to comparing the difference between Cialis and Viagra, some men react better to one than the other.
Alcohol also lowers blood pressure, reducing available blood flow and making it more difficult to achieve or keep an erection as a consequence. Studies have shown that just 3 drinks a day can significantly hamper male arousal and lead to other sexual health complications like low libido and premature ejaculation. Long-term excessive alcohol consumption reduces the production of testosterone, the main hormone responsible for men's sex drive.
Drinking can also cause vascular problems that reduce circulation and counteract the benefits of many medications. Men taking certain alpha-blockers for prostate problems or nitrates for chest pain or high blood pressure should be careful about taking ED medication. Both medications cause blood vessels to dilate and when used in close combination could cause a sudden and unsafe dramatic drop in blood pressure which may lead to other related complications.
When it comes to Cialis vs Viagra side effects, both are very safe when used as directed, but the potential does exist for possible side effects and interactions with other drugs. Even grapefruit can increase the concentration of ED medication in the bloodstream, which may impact the likelihood of side effects. As both drugs do come with their own unique risk and benefit profiles, individuals should consult with a doctor before determining which medication is the right one for them.
Cost is another important consideration to take into account when contemplating the best choice of medications. The price for sildenafil vs. tadalafil will depend on whether the brand-name versions or their generic alternatives are purchased. Generics provide the same benefits and use the same licensed, approved and rigorously tested compounds and active ingredients but are typically much more budget-friendly than their brand-name equivalents.
Once Pfizer's patent for its branded medication expired in 2012, it launched a generic version at half the retail price of $65 to fill the demand gap in the market. As both the original patents for Cialis vs Viagra have expired, a range of generic alternatives have long since entered the market. The differences between them are minimal, and it eventually comes down to personal preference.
These non-branded medicines are the heroes of affordable healthcare, making essential treatments more accessible by offering cheaper alternatives to brand-name medicines. A RAND study found that generics accounted for 90% of prescriptions but only 23% of total drug expenditure in the U.S. last year. Be mindful not to buy "herbal ED supplements" or anything claiming to be the 'herbal' version of an oral medicine for the condition. These aren't effective options when compared to Cialis vs Viagra for erectile dysfunction.
The incidence of men suffering from erectile difficulties is projected to increase along with an aging population and changes in lifestyle factors. The outlook, however, is extremely positive as a very treatable condition with many options available to help men both achieve and maintain an erection capable of sexual intercourse. Cialis or Viagra offer a quick, reliable solution to the problem and work by increasing blood flow to where it's needed the most.
Choosing the right medication can be intimidating but when deciding between them, it really comes down to individual choice! The challenge lies in ensuring access to appropriate treatment that is both available and affordable. The good news is that many can now be found via online pharmacies which offer customers even easier, more affordable access to a complete range of options and products, be they brand names or generics, in the dosage required and delivery method preferred.
To learn more about the full range of treatment options available or for more detailed information on the difference between Cialis vs Viagra, feel free to contact us using the live chat feature or call us on our US hotline.
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