Best Viagra Substitutes Without Side Effects

For most men suffering erectile dysfunction, its rough on our manhood.

We lose confidence, and worry if we could ever satisfy our partner or even enjoy sexual intercourse again.

So, what can you do about it?

For starters, there’s always the most common doctors’ recommendation: Viagra or Cialis.

But not all men are okay with drugs and prefer using natural treatments—Or even better—a natural Viagra substitute.

Problem is finding a reliable and trusted, drug free solution for erectile dysfunction.

Doctors offer little help since they seldomly prescribe natural remedies. And the internet has so much (conflicting) information on just about everything, you don’t know what source to trust.

The good news is that there are natural erectile dysfunction treatments that can be effective, without the side effects of Viagra, and that’s what this article is all about: offering you viable Viagra alternatives.

To understand how certain natural remedies can help improve your sexual function, lets’ first quickly go over what erectile dysfunction is.

Why it happens? And what the best natural treatments are, and how each may help you defeat bedroom performance issues, while restoring your confidence and manhood.

What is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is a condition whereby a man can no longer reliably achieve and maintain a full erection long enough for sexual intercourse.

Though erectile dysfunction can occur at any age, it becomes more common after the age of 40.

The symptoms of erectile dysfunction ranges from mild to severe. Mild symptoms may include achieving a full erection, but unable to sustain it—i.e. premature ejaculation.

In more severe cases, only a partial erection can be achieved. And at its worst, no erections can be attained at all.

But no matter the degree of erectile dysfunction, the outcome is all the same: you are left feeling frustrating and emasculated, and not knowing what to do.

What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?

To understand why erectile dysfunction develops, lets quickly go over the anatomy of an erection.

The erection process begins in the brain. Once stimulated, the brain relays signals to the penis (through a network of neurotransmitters) to harden and form an erection.

In a healthy adult male, this process is instantaneous. The muscle of the penis relaxes, and blood enters and fills up the genitals. Thus, a solid and full erection is formed.

Once a man climaxes, and ejaculates, the blood is released back out of the penis, and the erect member returns to its flaccid state.

But as men age, our blood flow gets increasingly sluggish. And this prevents healthy blood flow movement to the penis.

So poor blood flow is one of the most common causes of erectile dysfunction.

That’s why erectile dysfunction particularly affects men with cardiovascular disease.

For instance, most men with high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes report symptoms of erectile dysfunction. That’s because these health conditions all restrict, damage or clog the arteries- leading to poor blood flow to the penis.

But even healthy, older men are not immune from sluggish blood flow.

Nitric oxide production, which regulates blood flow circulation by signaling blood vessels to open, gradually decline in production with age.

Secondly, low testosterone is another major culprit of erectile dysfunction.

Aside from regulating libido and sex drive, testosterone also plays a crucial role in heart and arterial health too. It also controls our mood. So, depression, stress and anxiety are all known erection killers.

There can be other causes for erectile dysfunction such as cancer treatment, surgeries that affected certain nerves that are involved in the erection process or usage of certain medications, etc.

Treating Erectile Dysfunction

Originally intended to treat heart disease, sildenafil helped patients achieve stronger, firmer erections in early studies. Thus, sildenafil was rebranded into Viagra.

Though Viagra is not a permanent fix for poor sexual health, it is a PDE5 inhibitor that enables men to temporarily achieve a stronger, longer lasting erection shortly after usage, with its potency lasting four hours.

Viagra has been successful for many men, helping two out of every three users. But it can also produce side effects. This includes.

Blurry or Cloudy Vision
Migraines and headaches
Redness or Blush in chest and face
Heat or hot feeling throughout the body
Muscle discomfort
Stomach ache or nausea

Viagra isn’t the only game in town as a pharmaceutical product. Since it’s introduction in 1998, other competing erectile dysfunction drugs have come on to market. They are Staxyn, Stendra, Cialis, and Levitra.

Despite differing brands, all these drugs work alike— PDE5 inhibitors— temporarily neutralizing the PDE5 enzyme that’s released to deflate an erection.

So very much like Viagra, all these drugs come with similar side effects.

Natural Viagra

So what do you do if you want a safe, natural product that can produce a healthier, stronger erection—a Viagra alternative, if you will?

Fortunately, herbal medicine has been around for centuries. And modern science has been able to validate some of them these plant or botanical treatments.

Not only that, but certain nutrients from food have also been studies and shown to be helpful for improving male sexual health.

In other words, these extracts and nutrients act similar to Viagra, but without the side effects. Below are some of the most well studied natural Viagras…

1. Muira Puama

Also referred to as marapuama or potency wood, muira puama is an ingredient found in several supplements marketed as a Viagra substitute.

This tree grows in rainforest regions of the Amazon and the bark and roots are thought to be effective in supporting male virility and sexual function.

While trials using muira puama for erectile dysfunction are limited, researchers state that the herb is rich in compounds like campesterol and sitosterol that may both enhance performance and heighten libido.

Also, camphor oil found in the plant compounds may support mental arousal, which can be an underlying issue for men with ED.

In an animal study published in 2015, muira puama was used in combination with L-citrulline, guarana, and ginger to help with poor erectile function in aging rats. The results were similar to that of PDE5 (phosphodiesterase type 5) inhibitors like Viagra. PDE5 inhibitors inhibit the widening or relaxation of blood vessels in the penis. This supports blood flow to the penis to cause an erection.

2. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

DHEA is one of the most abundant hormones found in the human body, a precursor to testosterone, and highly important to male sexual function. Men who have low levels of DHEA may have problems with erectile dysfunction.

Supplementing with DHEA, which is primarily derived from wild yams, may benefit men who have difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection. However, the research into DHEA for ED is limited. A study published in the journal of Urology in 1999 found that supplementing with DHEA improved the sexual performance of a small group of men who suffered from ED.

3. Horny Goat Weed

Horny goat weed is a China-native herb otherwise known as Ying Yang Hua, which is actually an extract taken from the epimedium plant. This particular herb contains the active ingredient icariin, which is a bioactive compound that is thought to offer a range of benefits, including benefits for the cardiovascular system. In Chinese medicine, horny goat weed is commonly recommended for ED.

Icariin found in horny goat weed is thought to also inhibit PDE5, which could mean this herb is one of the better Viagra alternatives. However, studies into the efficacy of horny goat weed on humans with ED are lacking even though there are many anecdotal reports. In one animal study published in 2013, researchers did find icariin helped with intracavernous pressure in rats that had sustained cavernous penile nerve injuries.

4. L-tyrosine

L-tyrosine is important for dopamine production and protein synthesis in the body. This amino acid is found in foods that are known to be high in protein, but supplements are readily available as well.

Tyrosine is found in a lot of supplements aimed at targeting stress and supporting weight loss. However, some research also suggests that tyrosine may be an option for men with ED.

In an animal study published in the journal of European Urology, researchers found that L-tyrosine supplements had beneficial effects on mice with sexual behavior disorders and ED.

While the mechanisms behind tyrosine’s effects on sexual function are not totally clear, another animal study published in 2020 found rabbits given the supplement had exponentially higher testosterone levels.

5. Ginkgo

Ginkgo biloba is a well-known herbal supplement derived from seeds and leaves from the Ginkgo tree. One of the primary uses for Ginkgo is to support healthy blood circulation throughout the body, which may be why this herb is sometimes used for ED.

In a study of people diagnosed with heart disease, supplementing with Ginkgo led to a 12 percent boost in the level of nitrous oxide circulating throughout the body. Nitrous oxide dilates blood vessels, which may help with blood flow to the penis.

Unfortunately, formal research into whether Ginkgo can help with ED is limited. In one open trial of Ginkgo Biloba covered in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, the herb was stated to help with erections for people who were taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

6. L-arginine

L-arginine is a protein-building amino acid that is produced by the human body. However, this amino acid is also available in supplement form, and limited research suggests L-arginine may be beneficial for men with ED when combined with other agents.

In a study of 40 men published in 2003, supplementing with a combination of L-arginine and pine bark extract helped 80 percent of the participants achieve restored sexual ability. Another 2010 study found the combination of L-arginine and yohimbine hydrochloride showed promise for mild to moderate ED.

7. Panax Ginseng

Panax Ginseng, also referred to as Red Ginseng is known in both Korean and Chinese medicine for supporting longevity and health. However, the roots of this plant are also thought to improve the symptoms of ED, even though formal studies are limited.

For centuries, the roots of panax ginseng has been boiled into a drink by the Chinese. It was believed that drinking tonic consisting of panax ginseng not only boosted one’s immune system, but also enable a stronger reproductive system.

To this day drinking panax ginseng is still seen as a prized remedy for strong health in China.

In 2008, researchers from the British Pharmacological Society performed a systematic review of available studies associated with red Ginseng and ED. After the included seven studies were evaluated, researchers noted that red ginseng may indeed improve ED, but also stated larger studies were necessary to make definitive claims.

8. Fenugreek

Fenugreek is a plant that grows natively in parts of North America and India, and throughout the years, the plant has been used for a long list of ailments. Due to its unique compounds, fenugreek may also be a Viagra alternative to support sexual function in men.

One of the primary reasons fenugreek is thought to support sexual health in men is its proposed ability to boost testosterone levels. In one study of 50 men, testosterone levels rose by an average of 46 percent after 12 weeks of daily fenugreek supplementation. Even more interesting, the men reported better mood and libido, and sperm counts were better.

Another reason fenugreek may help with ED is the fact that it has cholesterol-lowering effects. While high cholesterol alone is not directly linked to ED, it can be a contributing factor to erectile problems.

Conclusion

Erectile dysfunction is a nightmare and causes a lot of stress in a man’s life. This further worsens a man’s ED since sexual anxiety makes it even more challenging to get an erection when it’s time for intimacy.

Though drugs like Viagra are the go-to for many men, some natural treatments have been shown in medical studies to be effective at boost male performance.

Hopefully, the natural ingredients listed in this article can help you restore sexual health and confidence.

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