COMMON MEDICATIONS INCLUDE:

Sildenafil (Viagra), Tadalafil (Cialis), Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn), Avanafil (Stendra) and testosterone replacement

The first four medications enhance the effects of nitric oxide, a natural chemical your body produces that relaxes muscles in the penis. This increases blood flow and allows you to get an erection in response to sexual stimulation. Taking one of these tablets will not automatically produce an erection. Sexual stimulation is needed first to cause the release of nitric oxide from your penile nerves. These medications amplify that signal, allowing men to function normally. Oral erectile dysfunction medications are not aphrodisiacs, will not cause excitement and are not needed in men who get normal erections. The medications vary in dosage, how long they work and side-effects. These include flushing, nasal congestion, headache, visual changes, backache and stomach upset. Your doctor will consider your particular situation to determine which medication might work best. These might not fix your erectile dysfunction immediately. For the last one, testosterone replacement, some men have erectile dysfunction that might be complicated by low levels of the hormone testosterone. In this case, testosterone replacement therapy might be recommended as the first step. You might need to work with your doctor to find the right medication and dosage.