You need a prescription from a doctor or healthcare professional to purchase Viagra and other ED medications. Some companies offer online consultations and discreet delivery.
Many men experience erectile dysfunction (ED), also called impotence. It’s more common in those ages 40 years and over.
ED is when you are unable to get and maintain an erection that is strong enough for sexual activity. It can disrupt your sex life, and it’s natural to look for treatments.
One option is medications called phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors. These can be highly effective, and types include:
You need a prescription to purchase Viagra and other PDE-5 inhibitors. You cannot purchase them over the counter.
Online telehealth services
Online services are a convenient and discreet way to find treatment for ED.
Typically, you provide information about your medical history, symptoms, and medications during an online consultation.
A licensed healthcare professional reviews your information and determines if a PDE-5 inhibitor is appropriate and safe for you.
If they approve the prescription, they can send it to a pharmacy for fulfillment and delivery to your doorstep. Some services send you the prescription to purchase the medication in person or via another online pharmacy.
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A face-to-face consultation allows you to get a personalized health assessment.
You will likely undergo a physical examination and discuss your medical history, lifestyle factors, and any underlying health conditions that could contribute to ED.
If the healthcare professional determines that a PDE-5 inhibitor is right for you, they will provide you with a prescription to fill at a local or online pharmacy.
Alternatively, they can refer you to a specialized ED clinic or other specialists like urologists, endocrinologists, or mental health professionals.
Specialized ED clinics
Specialized ED clinics are often staffed by healthcare professionals with expertise in sexual health.
The evaluation process may involve physical examinations, laboratory tests, and detailed discussions about lifestyle and psychological factors that can contribute to ED.
Treatment options may extend beyond medications. For instance, they can include lifestyle modifications, therapy, and other interventions that address both physical and psychological aspects of ED.
Urologist consultations
Urologists specialize in the genitourinary tract. Urologist consultations are especially beneficial for complex or persistent ED.
A urologist consultation generally involves a detailed examination of the factors contributing to ED, including physical, hormonal, drug, and psychological aspects.
These specialists can also conduct specific tests, such as ultrasound imaging, to identify potential causes of your ED.
The urologist can prescribe Viagra or develop an individualized treatment plan with non-pharmacological options.
Visiting a healthcare professional for ED
Addressing ED with a healthcare professional can help you regain confidence and intimacy. Although every visit will be different, here are some general steps you can expect:
Scheduling the appointment: Begin the process by scheduling an appointment. It’s a good idea to start with your primary care physician. They can refer you to a specialist practitioner or clinic if required.
Medical history and lifestyle discussion: Discuss your medical history, including overall health, current medications, past surgeries, and lifestyle factors like diet and exercise habits.
Physical examination: Unless you’ve opted for an online telehealth appointment, you will likely undergo a physical examination. This helps rule out visible health conditions.
Laboratory tests: The practitioner may request blood samples to identify an underlying health condition. For example, diabetes or low testosterone levels can contribute to ED.
Psychological evaluation: The practitioner might ask about your mental health since psychological factors can contribute to ED.
Discussion of treatment options: The healthcare professional will explain potential treatment options. They will share the risks, benefits, and potential side effects of each so you can make an informed decision.
Follow-up and monitoring: Schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your progress. You may need to adjust your treatment plan as you learn what does and does not work.
Addressing psychological factors: If the practitioner thinks psychological factors could play a role in ED, they may recommend counseling or therapy.
Does health insurance cover ED medications?
Private health insurance coverage for ED medications varies. Some plans don’t cover any ED treatments, while others cover generic drugs only.
Medicare and Medicaid coverage varies by plan and state regulations. Some plans include prescription medications. If they do, however, they may not cover ED medications. For clear information about coverage, it’s best to speak with your insurance provider, who can advise you which medications you have coverage for.
If you do not have prescription drug coverage, or if your insurance plan does not cover ED medications, a healthcare professional might be able to suggest lower cost medications, like the generic sildenafil.
How does Viagra work for ED?
Viagra contains the active ingredient sildenafil. Sildenafil has a similar structure to a molecule called cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP).
Normally, an enzyme called PDE-5 breaks down cGMP. This makes blood vessels contract and limits blood flow. Viagra binds to the enzyme’s active site, preventing it from breaking down cGMP, which causes a cGMP buildup.
Increased cGMP increases the activity of another enzyme called cGMP-dependent protein kinase. In turn, this relaxes vascular smooth muscle cells.
In a part of the penis called the corpus cavernosum, relaxed smooth muscle enables better blood flow, which supports an erection.
In other words, Viagra supports better blood flow in the penis. It does not initiate erections on its own. Rather, it makes it easier to get and maintain one. You still need sexual arousal or stimulation to get an erection.
L-Arginine supplements: This amino acid increases levels of an enzyme called nitric oxide synthase. In turn, this might improve erectile function. However, more research is needed to confirm this.
Testosterone supplements: If PDE-5 inhibitors like Viagra don’t work for you, or if you have ED alongside low libido or low levels of sex hormones (hypogonadism), testosterone supplements might work. Always discuss these options with a doctor or healthcare professional before taking them.
Intraurethral alprostadil pellets: These are rice-sized pellets of alprostadil that you place in the urethra. The drug directly targets the smooth muscle in the penis and supports an erection.
Injections with alprostadil: Injecting alprostadil into the penile shaft near the base relaxes the smooth muscles and can lead to erections. It’s generally more effective than pellets but can be more painful to administer.
Other PDE-5 inhibitors: Besides sildenafil in Viagra, other PDE-5 inhibitors like tadalafil (Cialis) work in the same way to enable erections.
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There are some Viagra drug interactions to be aware of. Ask your prescribing healthcare professional for advice if you take any other medications.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), you can take PDE-5 inhibitors with most antihypertensive medications. However, they advise caution when using alpha-blockers such as:
Additionally, you should not use PDE5 inhibitors alongside nitrates. Doctors and healthcare professionals use nitrates to treat angina, and some examples include isosorbide dinitrate hydralazine (Bidil) and nitroglycerine (Nitro-Dur, Nitrostat, NitroMist).
For safety, always discuss the following medications with a healthcare team to ensure there are no interactions:
Other drugs that might not be safe to take with Viagra are:
Ritonavir (Norvir): This medication treats human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
CYP3A4 inducers: These medications increase the activity of the CYP3A4 enzyme in the liver. Some examples include carbamazepine (Tegretol) and rifampin (Rifadin).
Bosentan (Tracleer): This is a medication used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
Other PDE-5 inhibitors: These include those used to treat ED and PAH. Some examples include tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra).
Alternative ED treatment options
Beyond oral, injected, and pellet medications, there are alternative approaches to managing ED.
A healthcare professional can explain the benefits, risks, and suitability of these options for you and your health.
Summary
Viagra is a medication for erectile dysfunction (ED) containing the active ingredient sildenafil. It does not cause an erection on its own but can help you get and maintain one.
You need a prescription from a healthcare professional to purchase Viagra. For example, you can work with a general practitioner or a specialist like a urologist to obtain this.
Besides Viagra, there are other medications and nonmedication alternatives to explore.
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