Many men, when faced with the problem of erectile dysfunction, would prefer to take “something natural” rather than a pharmaceutical drugs like Viagra. Regretfully, the belief that everything that is natural is necessarily safe is a misconception, and doctors are increasingly seeing cases of men who have used so-called “natural Viagra” and who are suffering from extreme reactions to these natural ingredients.

Viagra Alternatives

There are actually several Viagra alternatives, and of these, the most effective ones are other pharmaceuticals, notably Cialis and Levitra. Then there are the so-called “natural Viagra” remedies, many of which have their own sets of disadvantages, and most of which are either untested in research, or have shown limited efficacy. We will look into these in greater detail further on in this article.

An additional issue to bear in mind is that brand names such as “Viagra” do not necessarily represent the only means to obtain the active ingredient. In this instance, we will discuss generics, what they actually are, and how they compare to Viagra.

Finally, there is one alternative to Viagra that most doctors agree can work in certain instances: a healthy body mass, nutritious diet, and plenty of exercise. Since these healthy lifestyle choices are sure to bring about improvements in overall health, and may even cure erectile dysfunction in some individuals, you have nothing to lose by trying them.

Over the Counter Viagra Substitute

Aside from the “natural” alternatives, many men are turning to generics, if only because of the huge price advantage by choosing non-branded Viagra can bring. In theory, these drugs are not strictly-speaking “over the counter” or OTC, and they are not directly available in the USA.

Instead, many US consumers are looking to medicines made in India, a country well-known for its sophisticated generic pharmaceutical industry. Simply put, these alternative pills have the same effect as Viagra, primarily because the medications are Viagra in all but one detail: their names. In every other respect, they are the equivalent of Viagra, containing the active ingredient Sildenafil citrate which makes Viagra work.

What works like Viagra, without actually being Viagra? Only its generic copies. Generic or brand? The primary difference is price. Although Viagra is used to treat high blood pressure, you might just get high blood pressure when you see the price of the drug in its branded format! Where can I buy these generics? They are only available online.

Natural Viagra Alternatives

Before we progress with a list of the possible health supplements and herbs believed to have at least some effect on erectile dysfunction, we would like to issue a few warnings:

1. Supplements can interfere or interact with medications. If you use medicines, consult your doctor before trying any of these remedies.
2. Supplements in the US are legal, but poorly regulated. The FDA found that many herbal supplements contained none of the herbs listed on the packaging.
3. “Natural Viagra alternative” is a misleading term. You should be cautious of any supplement aggressively marketed as natural Viagra.
4. The collapse of a prominent US sportsman after using so-called natural Viagra was attributed to the fact that the supplement contained large amounts of ED pharmaceuticals.
5. Some supplements can interact with ED drugs. If you are using them, consult your doctor before using an additional supplement.
6. Owing to the lack of research, dosages and safety margins are, in many cases, untested.

Ginkgo

Although the herb has not been extensively researched in this context, there is some evidence to suggest that it may have an effect that enhances blood flow. After a trial on lab animals, there appeared to be some concern that Ginkgo can cause cancer, but this is unconfirmed.

Arginine

The amino acid L-arginine improves blood flow throughout the body. It may interact dangerously with certain medications, and should be used with caution. Sometimes, it is formulated as a cream, and should be somewhat safer in this format. If you are healthy, you can try it, but if you have any health problems, you should consult your doctor first.

DHEA

This hormone is a precursor to testosterone. Although few instances of erectile dysfunction are a direct result of low testosterone, DHEA may help if this is true in your instance. However, DHEA can cause blood pressure to rise, and has been associated with lesser side effects such as hair loss and acne. It is only suitable for men, and can cause lowered voice and facial hair growth in women.

Yohimbe

Yohimbe is among the new products touted as an alternative for Viagra. This African plant has not been widely researched. However, it has been linked to anxiety and an increase in blood pressure. If you already have high blood pressure, avoid it.

Horny Goat Weed

This plant is the closest natural substitute for Viagra. The remedy contains a natural PDE5 inhibitor, but it should be noted that it is said to be only one fiftieth as potent as Viagra.

Damiana

Damiana is a natural aphrodisiac. As such, it does not treat ED unless ED resulted from a lack of desire or interest in sex. Convulsions may result from high doses, and surgical complications may result from its use. Diabetics should avoid this product.

Muira Puama

Again, this supplement is primarily seen as an aphrodisiac rather than an ED treatment. Nevertheless, some men have reported successful use. It is often combined with other herbs or is used externally as a gel or jelly.

Kava Kava

Anxiety may be a cause for ED. If you suffer from anxiety, Kava Kava can help you to relax, thereby making it possible for you to perform. Very few side-effects are reported.

Home Remedies

You may be interested in trying home remedies for erectile dysfunction. Most of these are perfectly safe, but it is also highly unlikely that they would have the same effect as Viagra or other pharmaceutical brands.

Making them is extremely simple, so feel free to try these homemade remedies. Note that we do NOT claim them to be effective. If these really were the best choices that work, why did medical science bother with Viagra in the first place, and why would it have been hailed as a medical breakthrough? So, here’s the list:

• carrots honey and egg (cup of carrot, half a boiled egg, two tbsp. of honey);
• ginger and honey (two tsp. ginger paste, 2tsp honey);
• dates and nuts (pound into powder and mix with milk);
• black raisins (30g boiled in milk after soaking in water);
• asparagus roots (15g dried root to a cup of milk, boiled);
• garlic (three to four cloves daily, and hold your breath when approaching partner);
• white onion (crush to paste and fry with teaspoon honey);
• eating foods rich in vitamin A;
• increasing fiber intake.

Viagra Alternatives That Really Work

Although some of the supplements and foods we’ve looked at may be good for you, we doubt they work that well. If anyone knew how to make a natural ED cure, you can be sure it would be headline news in a flash. Instead, we will opt for the proven, safe options proven by medical science. You still have different brands that you can compare, and the medicine has been through extensive clinical trials.
We will not bother to compare every generic version of Viagra, as they are just different forms of the same thing would have the same effect. If there is any comparison to be made, it is that generics are cheap while brand names aren’t.

Viagra Alternatives That Really Work

These alternatives to Viagra are sold under a number of names like Levitra and Cialis. For simplicity’s sake, we will use the brand name and the active ingredient. Owing to extensive research into these drugs and male sexual dysfunction, results are consistent and relatively predictable. Primarily, two different drugs can replace Viagra. Bonus! Grab our bestseller – free Viagra samples!

Factor	Levitra	Cialis
Active ingredient	Vardenafil HCl	Tadalafil
Mode of action	PDE5 Inhibitor	PDE5 Inhibitor
Effective duration	Average 4 hours	Average 36 hours
Safety	Excellent	Excellent
Specific benefit over Viagra	Suitable for Diabetics	Can be taken with food