Herbal Penis Pills vs. Prescription ED Drugs

Erectile Dysfunction, the inability to have or maintain an erection is perhaps another symptom of the fast-paced world we live in. We’ve been sold on believing that “instant-on” is everything. Time is money and has become too precious to waste by waiting. So, now we have quick-start television sets, microwave ovens that cook meals in minutes, online fast track doctorate degrees – and instant erections expected in the bedroom.

Aside from any physical malformations or deep-seated psychological problems this “instant-on” attitude redefines the art of making love. No more warm-up time is allowed, or even expected. The poor emasculated male who never had a problem in this area before is wondering what hit him. He never had difficulties getting or keeping erections. Now, if he can’t perform on cue – he’s expected to take something for it.

Drugs or Herbs, Take Your Choice

Most men will choose the safest, most effective remedy on the market, whether it’s herbs, vitamins, minerals or prescription drugs. And they are more likely to try herbal supplements first, because they are available without a prescription, they’re believed to be safer, have fewer side effects, if any, and cost less.

Though there has not been conclusive, long-range testing on herbal ED supplements to determine just how safe they really are, the major dangers appear not to come from the herbs themselves, but from the combination of some prescription medications taken with them. And with 7 out of 10 men taking 3 or more prescription drugs a day – it is definitely an issue.

Drug/herb interactions can cause internal bleeding, liver damage and have been known to be fatal. In addition to decreasing the effectiveness of just about every prescription drug taken with them – from Azithromycin antibiotics to Zovia birth-control pills.

Drugs interactions with these typical ED herbs can be dangerous:

St. John’s Wort: Though mainly used for mild depression and insomnia, it has been used successfully in treating the anxiety resulting from erectile dysfunction. It can lessen the therapeutic effects if taken with prescription anti-depressants, including MAO (PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC) and serotonin inhibitors, such as Xanax and Prozac. Overuse alone, can cause sun sensitivity.

Ginseng: An energy-booster that increases sexual stamina while counteracting fatigue and stress. It may interfere with drugs, such as digoxin, used for heart conditions. By itself, high doses of ginseng can cause insomnia, depression, headaches, nervousness, and worst of all, high blood pressure.

Ginkgo Biloba: Many uses in treating memory lapses and concentration difficulties, but key use is in increasing capillary blood flow to the penis. In drug interactions, it may intensify the effects of MAO inhibitors and blood thinners, such as Coumadin. Alone, ginkgo may cause mild GI upsets, headaches or rashes.

Horny Goat Weed: Just as its name implies, it is a Chinese aphrodisiac used to boost erectile function by increasing the release of nitric oxide into the lower circulatory system, allowing more blood to engorge the penis. Although relatively harmless, it is not recommended to be taken with MAO inhibitors, or drugs for hypertension, cardiac or pulmonary disease, or any product containing L-dopa.

Yohimbe: Dilates the veins of the penis allowing more rapid and rigid erections. Yohimbe is safer than its prescription counterpart, yohimbine hydrochloride, but neither should be taken with anti-depressants, or by men taking drugs for hypertension, or bipolar disorders. Its own list of side effects may include blood pressure and cardiac changes, nervous system stimulation and manic episodes.

Consult with your pharmacist for other possible drug interactions or precautions.

Viagra: Some Men Swear by It, Others Swear at It

The other option, the little purple pill, and a handful of others that many men swear by – have just as many men swearing at them. When minutes count, and you need to get an erection fast, there’s nothing that beats it.

However, it’s a trade-off because direct side effects just go with the territory. You may get almost instant action and an arousal within minutes, but shortly after, the side effects can start – with headaches, nausea and insomnia being the most common.

The possible drug-drug interactions with this one are really dangerous. Severe hypotension and serious cardiac events are very possible if combined with nitrates and must be avoided. Also the intensity of the drug is increased beyond the safe dosage level if taken with cimetidine (Tagamet), amlodipine (Norvasc), and the common anti-biotic, erythromycin.

And believe it or not, if taken with grapefruit juice, the results are extremely toxic and more than your penis may wind up stiff.

So You Get More Bang For the Buck, But Is It Worth It?

The difference? The purple, fixer-upper quickie lets you be all that you can be, for that glorified moment or two, then it lets you down. The main action of Viagra is to promote the release of nitric oxide into the corpus cavernosum of the penis – the same exact function of the herb Horny Goat Weed.

Herbs take longer to get you where you want to be, erect, but this can have a permanent effect on your libido and a lasting ability to perform in the future.

It’s your choice, but knowing that prescription drugs are responsible for 180,000 deaths of Americans every year and over a million hospitalizations, even when used as directed – your choice should be rather obvious. Better to be safe and sorry, than hard and dead.