Erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment

Question 1

Do erectile dysfunction medications work?

Answer

Clinical research has described PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis) as "revolutionary" for the treatment of ED. Why? These medications have a 60-70% success rate, they work fast, and they have an established safety profile.

If you've already tried one PDE5i without success, studies suggest that you should try a different PDE5i. Nearly 90% of men who've tried all the ED drugs at different times report improvements in their erections.

When taking ED medication, it's important to follow dispensing directions if you want the drugs to work as designed on ED symptoms. Studies have shown that in most cases where men weren't satisfied with sildenafil (Viagra), they were taking their medication incorrectly.

Question 2

What's the difference between the erectile dysfunction medications?

Answer

Sildenafil (Viagra) and vardenafil (Levitra) are as-needed medications that you take about an hour before you plan to have sex. Healthcare providers recommend taking them on an empty stomach.

Tadalafil (Cialis) is the only ED medication that can be taken both as-needed and daily (in a lower dose), so it stays in your system longer. As a daily ED pill, the drug can allow for more sexual spontaneity. It may be taken with or without food.

Avanafil (Stendra) is a less commonly prescribed PDE5 inhibitor. It works faster than the other as-needed medications, but it's not available in generic form. This can make avanafil more expensive than the other treatments.

Your provider will consider your health history and personal preferences when prescribing treatment through Amazon One Medical. The most effective medication for ED will be the one that fits your lifestyle and has the best safety profile for your unique physiology.

Question 3

How many erectile dysfunction tablets can be prescribed through On-Demand Care?

Answer

If your provider determines that PDE5 inhibitors are right for you, they'll take your lifestyle, preferences, and health history into account when writing your online prescription through Amazon One Medical On-Demand Care.

Daily tadalafil (Cialis) prescriptions are typically written as a 1-month or 3-month supply of 30 ED tablets/month plus refills.

As-needed prescriptions for tadalafil, sildenafil, or vardenafil are typically written as a 1-month or 3-month supply of a certain number of ED tablets (6, 10, or 15) per month plus refills. Your prescribing provider will consider how often you plan to use the medication.

If you run out of refills, you'll need to request a new prescription, which will require another ED consultation to make sure your medication doesn't need to be adjusted.

Question 4

How safe are ED medications?

Answer

ED medications are considered safe when taken as prescribed by a healthcare provider. But they can have side effects when taken within the same time frame as certain medications, or when taken not as prescribed. For example, some drug combinations can lead to low blood pressure. And taking too many ED pills can lead to headaches, diarrhea, and visual disturbances.

It's important to tell your provider about all the medications you're taking and all your underlying health conditions when you're being treated for erectile dysfunction. If requesting ED treatment through a telehealth visit, especially if you're young and otherwise healthy, OR you have certain risk factors, an online doctor may recommend that you see a primary care provider for an in-person evaluation before they can safely prescribe ED medication.

Question 5

Are there any natural ways to make erections last longer?

Answer

Yes. In general, sexual health can benefit from the following lifestyle changes:

• Improving your diet

• Getting more exercise

• Changing things up in the bedroom

• Cutting back on alcohol

• Quitting smoking

Question 6

Can I get online treatment for premature ejaculation?

Answer

Yes. If you're experiencing ejaculatory symptoms, we recommend that you request treatment for premature ejaculation.

What's the difference between an ejaculatory disorder and an erectile disorder? Premature ejaculation is when men ejaculate too early (typically in under 2 to 3 minutes), while erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, is when men have trouble maintaining an erection.

Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation can occur at the same time. If you're experiencing both conditions, providers generally recommend that you seek treatment for ED first before adding premature ejaculation treatments.

Question 7

Can I get telehealth ED treatment if I don't get erections at all?

Answer

No. If you don't get erections, a telehealth visit isn't the most appropriate option for you. You’ll need to see a primary care provider for an in-person evaluation.

There are two kinds of erections: reflex erections and psychogenic erections. An inability to achieve a reflex erection could be a sign of an underlying nerve issue or another organic cause.

Question 8

Can I get testosterone testing through On-Demand Care?

Answer

No. If you need testosterone testing or treatment, Amazon One Medical On-Demand Care isn't the most appropriate care option for you. If you have symptoms of low testosterone, like low libido, you'll need to see a primary care provider before you seek treatment for ED.

Question 9

Can I get penile injection therapy through On-Demand Care?

Answer

No. Your provider won't prescribe ED penile injection medications like papaverine, phentolamine, and alprostadil (Trimix) through Amazon One Medical On-Demand Care.

Question 10

Can supplements help erectile dysfunction?

Answer

There's limited clinical evidence that supplements like Panax ginseng help ED symptoms, which is why most healthcare providers don't recommend herbal extracts and other supplements as first-line treatments.

Question 11

Clinical sources

Answer

1. McMahon, C. N., Smith, C. J., & Shabsigh, R. (2006). Treating erectile dysfunction when PDE5 inhibitors fail. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 332(7541), 589–592.

2. Petre, G. C., Francini-Pesenti, F., Vitagliano, A., Grande, G., Ferlin, A., & Garolla, A. (2023). Dietary Supplements for Erectile Dysfunction: Analysis of Marketed Products, Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Rational Use. Nutrients, 15(17), 3677.

3. Smith, W. B., 2nd, McCaslin, I. R., Gokce, A., Mandava, S. H., Trost, L., & Hellstrom, W. J. (2013). PDE5 inhibitors: considerations for preference and long-term adherence. International journal of clinical practice, 67(8), 768–780.

4. Yafi, F. A., Jenkins, L., Albersen, M., Corona, G., Isidori, A. M., Goldfarb, S., Maggi, M., Nelson, C. J., Parish, S., Salonia, A., Tan, R., Mulhall, J. P., & Hellstrom, W. J. (2016). Erectile dysfunction. Nature reviews. Disease primers, 2, 16003.

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Erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment

How it works

Common ED medications

PDE5 inhibitors

Causes of ED

How do ED treatments work?

Frequently asked questions