Far from being simply an ‘old man’ problem, erectile dysfunction (ED) affects 33% of British men. Its causes are varied, ranging from Prostate cancer and Diabetes to Alcoholism, Smoking and High blood Pressure. With the advent of orally administered drugs such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra, the outlook for men with erectile dysfunction (ED) has improved enormously in the last few years – so much so that almost all patients nowadays can be assured of a return to successful intercourse. Many feel that the new treatments for erection difficulty have transformed their lives and with those treatments only a ‘mouse-click’ away, it is important to know what is available and how to decide which one is right for you.

Today, there are 3 oral treatments available on the market, namely Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. These treatments work in a similar way as they all share the same active ingredient (PDE-5 inhibitors). However, they all retain slightly different qualities making them affect people in different ways and fit different situations. It is important for first time buyers to know what to expect and to understand that while there is a good chance of success, these treatments may not always have an immediate effect. It is also important to note that if your first choice of treatment does not work, it is quite possible one of the others may prove more suitable. It is therefore important to be aware of the individual characteristics of each one prior to making that final decision.

As the industry’s pioneer, Viagra may have the most brand recognition but surveys of patients who have tried all three treatments suggest that there is no clear overall winner. Cialis is often the first choice for new patients because its “window” of effectiveness is up to 36 hours, considerably longer than the other two treatments. This can mean that there is less pressure to “time” your sexual activity and therefore can lead to a more relaxed and spontaneous experience. Viagra is the old kid on the block and has been used successfully by millions over the years – a proven performer. Levitra is effective for 12 hours which is long enough for most situations but not as short as Viagra. A second Levitra pill can be taken the following day and it also has the least amount of side-effects. A recent survey revealed the following:

• Viagra is the most widely recognised treatment.

• In 2006, Cialis has overtaken Viagra as the most preferred treatment for first time users.

• People using Levitra are less likely to change to another treatment.

• 70% of people that do not respond to one treatment have a positive effect with an alternative treatment.