In the past three decades, sexual health has been among the most progressive in terms of research and breakthroughs. Sexual health has dramatically evolved in the last 30 years, starting with the FDA approval for Sildenafil as a treatment for symptoms of erectile dysfunction. In the decades that followed, more treatments were made available, and among these treatments is the use of Tadalafil to treat symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
Today, Sildenafil and Tadalafil are the top two most prescribed medications for symptoms of erectile dysfunction, but while these treatments are offered to treat similar symptoms, the application differs depending on the patient’s symptoms and personal preferences. In this article, we’ll discuss the difference between Tadalafil and Sildenafil to determine which would be applicable for your needs.
What does sildenafil do to your body?
To understand both erectile dysfunction medications, it’s important to understand how both work on the body and how they deliver relief for symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
Both Tadalafil and Sildenafil are considered phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors. This highlights the mechanism of action of both medications on the enzyme that regulates cGMP-specific pathways, which regulate the contraction and relaxation of blood vessels. PDE-5 induces contraction in the smooth muscles that line the blood vessels, and this constricts the pathway of blood, which drastically limits the volume of blood that flows through the cavernous spaces in the penis.
Erections are the direct result of increased blood flow through the cavernous spaces in the penis, signaled by receptors in the brain that respond to sexual arousal. When men get aroused, the brain signals blood vessels to systematically constrict and dilate, focusing blood flow to the genital area, and increasing blood flow to the penis. Increased blood flow in the penis would allow the elastic penile tissue to expand, creating an erection.
Erectile dysfunction happens when the genital area does not receive sufficient blood flow to result in a full-on erection. Milder stages of erectile dysfunction may occur, in which men may experience a significant increase in size, but not hard or rigid enough for sexual penetration. Severe cases of erectile dysfunction may be characterized by a complete inability to experience any change in penis size or firmness while sexually aroused.
Causes of erectile dysfunction may include blood vessel occlusion (blockage), or stenosis (narrowing), related to plaque buildup in the blood vessels, nerve damage, injury, or other diseases that affect the cardiovascular system.
Sildenafil and Tadalafil work by blocking the PDE-5 enzyme to limit vasoconstriction and allow blood vessels to dilate and increase the influx of blood to the genital area. This counteracts symptoms of erectile dysfunction related to occlusion or stenosis and is proven to be safe and effective for most cases of erectile dysfunction.
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What is better sildenafil or tadalafil?
Both medications work on the same pathway to induce better blood flow to the genital region, and both treatments are proven to be effective in treating patients with symptoms of erectile dysfunction. Studies also show that tadalafil and sildenafil are quite comparable when it comes to efficacy, satisfaction, and safety for treating symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
The major difference in both treatments is how long their effects last on the body. Tadalafil typically lasts for about 36 hours, while Sildenafil only lasts for 4-5 hours. The adherence of both medications to the body should be always considered when choosing between tadalafil and sildenafil.
Tadalafil is typically taken on a schedule. Patients can take Tadalafil, and wait for about 30 minutes to an hour for it to work, and its best results happen when the medication is fully absorbed by the body. As individuals have varying health conditions, lifestyles, and physical characteristics, it may take a while for patients to experience the full effect of Tadalafil, but once the body is fully acclimated, the effects can last for at least a day.
Sildenafil, on the other hand, can be taken as needed, approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour before sexual intercourse, and preferably on an empty stomach. Taking Sildenafil on a full stomach may result in the medication-taking longer for it to take effect.
What is the strongest ED medication?
When choosing between tadalafil and sildenafil, it’s important to base your decision on how you want to experience relief from erectile dysfunction.
How long does tadalafil take to kick in?
You want spontaneity and you don’t want to worry about having to carry your medication when you’re expecting sexual intercourse. Many patients prefer to use Tadalafil because of its versatility and the confidence it provides for its users. However, Tadalafil may be an issue for men who get easily aroused since its effects linger on for longer compared to Sildenafil.
How long does it take for sildenafil to kick in?
You want faster results and you do not mind taking your medication before sexual intercourse. Based on comparison studies, Sildenafil works slightly faster than Tadalafil, provided that it is taken on an empty stomach. Sildenafil may be ideal for patients who wish to only take their medication only when needed, and not hours in advance.
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What strength sildenafil should I take?
Since both medications work similarly, they both share similar side effects, which may include headaches, flushing, visual disturbances, hearing loss, diarrhea, and nausea. Since Tadalafil’s effects persist for longer, the side effects may last longer than those that Sildenafil may cause. In certain situations, taking a lower dose of either Tadalafil or Sildenafil may be permitted to lessen the gravity of the side effects.
Conclusion
Both Tadalafil and Sildenafil are excellent treatments for the symptoms of erectile dysfunction, and if your primary concern is alleviating your symptoms of erectile dysfunction, both would deliver similar results in terms of satisfaction and safety.
You may want to discuss changing your treatment plans to try both medications to see which would be more suitable for your lifestyle, preferences, and your body’s reaction in relation to the possible side effects.
