Men's Health | Natural Health Blog

Viagra Less than 50/50

Viagra, Erectile Disfunction, ED, Testosterone, Sildenafil

Viagra doesn’t seem to always be keeping up its end of the bargain! Touted as a drug that allows you to “take action,” it appears that not every man gets full satisfaction. In fact, less than half of the Viagra (sildenafil) currently being prescribed for men is actually working, according to a study that took place at Good Hope Hospital in Birmingham, England.

The most common sexual issue men visit a doctor about is erectile dysfunction (ED), which is experienced by 40 percent of men over the age of 40. In the United States, it is believed to affect between 15 and 30 million men. However, a caution to all those men — before starting a medication like Viagra, men with ED should go see a urologist. The sexual issues may be a symptom of a larger problem somewhere else in the body. Liver, kidney, and thyroid diseases, hormone imbalances, and blood vessel injuries are just a few of the other ailments that can cause ED and should be checked by a physician. It can also occur as the side effect of some medications.

On the other hand, more than 20 percent of the ED problems in men can be traced back to a testosterone deficiency. Testosterone levels in men peak during their 20s, then slowly decrease over the years. Viagra doesn’t address testosterone issues; it treats circulation problems by increasing the blood flow to the penis. It has no effect whatsoever on testosterone levels, so those men experiencing ED because of low amounts of that hormone are wasting their time and money using the drug. A blood test at your doctor’s office can determine whether testosterone levels are low. The test should be performed in the morning, since that’s the time of day testosterone levels tend to peak.

Another earlier study, conducted by the New England Research Institute, found that the appearance of ED combined with an inadequate sex drive was frequently caused by low testosterone levels. The researchers examined close to 1,500 men living in and around Boston between the ages of 30 and 79. They found that 25 percent of these men had low testosterone levels.

But testosterone is not just about erections. It’s also responsible for a number of roles in the bodies of both men and women. It provides us with energy, gives us a sense of drive, pushes us to succeed, helps us bond with our partners, fuels our sexual desires, escalates our sexual satisfaction, builds muscles, burns fat, and facilitates better circulation. Research has shown that it is not that our bodies produce less testosterone as we get older, but rather, it’s the amount of free circulating (or bio-available) testosterone that decreases — as more and more of it gets bound to both albumin and a natural substance called SHBG (sex-hormone-binding-globulin).

SHBG not only binds to testosterone, it binds to every other sex hormone. It functions as a storage system for excess hormones, but it can cause problems as well. SHBG can bind estrogen or dihydrotestosterone to cell membranes in the prostate stimulating cell growth, while at the same time causing an increase in PSA secretion, which can be a factor in prostate problems including cancer. Herbal formulas can play a major role in alleviating these issues. A good hormone balancing formula for men will contain ingredients such as: Ginseng, Tribulus terrestris, Muira puama, Wild oats, Nettles, Eleutherococcus, Saw palmetto, Sarsaparilla, Catuaba, Damiana, Kola nut, and Ginger.

And herbal formulations are safe to take, whereas Viagra has been known to cause numerous side effects. Those most frequently occurring during clinical trials were headaches, flushed face, and upset stomach. Other common side effects are stuffy nose, diarrhea, dizziness, and heartburn. There are also more serious ailments linked to Viagra use that include severe allergic reaction, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, seizures, loss of hearing or vision, and memory loss.

In contrast, natural herbs offer “side benefits” instead of side effects. Wild oats have traditionally been used to aid the nervous system. Nettle is often taken for the treatment of urinary problems and when the prostate becomes enlarged. Saw palmetto exerts an anti-inflammatory effect on prostate tissue. It also inhibits the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, which causes testosterone to be converted into dihydrotesterone, which as we mentioned earlier stimulates the growth of prostate tissue. Numerous studies have shown saw palmetto to be effective in improving the symptoms of an enlarged prostate by shrinking the inner lining of the prostate.

Used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine, ginseng works as an anti-inflammatory and to increase the body’s resistance to stress. Catuaba can elevate mood, even lessening the symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as offering antiviral and antibacterial properties. And Tribulus terrestris has been found to fight infections and play a role in curing urinary tract infections.

The list of benefits goes on and on. When taken regularly, natural formulas based on these ingredients work to put the body in balance. For more information on herbal testosterone formulas, check out Testosterone for Women and Men.