All medications have side effects. Erectile dysfunction medication is no exception and there are things about the medication that can be harmful to you or your body chemistry. You need to be under a doctor’s care in order to get the prescription because you need to be able to monitor all your levels in order to make sure the side effects are not causing you harm.

Erectile Dysfunction Drugs: The Non-Lethal Side Effects

Almost every label lists a ridiculous number of potential side effects; things that might have only happened to one person in the whole history of the drug. These can be things like headaches, nausea, vomiting, light-headedness and even aches and pains. Because erectile dysfunction medication does change your blood flow, the headaches and light-headedness are likely side effects. These might not be major enough for you to stop taking the medication but if they become severe you should make sure you doctor knows about them and how often the side effect happens. Headaches can lead to bigger problems if you are not careful.

The Dangerous Side Effects

Most of the dangerous side effects of erectile dysfunction medications have to do with heart and circulation problems. In general, the drug alters the blood flow of the body in order to change the path to your penis and it can be bad if you have high blood pressure or heart problems. Many people with heart problems are not allowed to have sex at all. You should be very careful and note any type of chest pain you experience when on the medication or during sex. Strokes and aneurysms are another dangerous side effect. Because your blood flow changes, this can throw clots or cause damage to the artery walls that can lead to splitting. A doctor will monitor your pressures as well as your history in order to determine if erectile dysfunction medication is okay for you.

The Unlikely Side Effects

A full blown stroke, heart attack or aortic dissection is possible when on erectile dysfunction medication. If you are monitored by a doctor and you follow the directions given to you, these are unlikely. But you should know that it is possible and you should note how your body feels in order to avoid such horrible side effects. It is up to you to know if you are experiencing discomfort or unusual feelings. You also need to note if your mental capacity seems to change as this can be a sign of an aneurysm or stroke.

All medications can be scary. Everyone’s body is different and thereby you respond to things differently than other people will. It is your doctor’s responsibility to monitor you based on the information you give him. This means you need to be aware of your body and report any changes so you can be monitored properly. A doctor is only as good as the information given to him and a medication is only good if you use it properly.

Erectile dysfunction is not entirely avoidable, but there are steps you can take to avoid developing it. Much of what happens to our bodies as we age have to do with changing body chemistry. This change in body chemistry is not then matched with a change in our behavior and then our body cannot keep up the form we want it to. We have to adjust as we age to reduce our risks of many problems.

Exercise to Keep Testosterone Level Higher

Low testosterone levels play into erectile dysfunction. While your body will produce less testosterone as you age, some of it decreases because you no longer exercise as much as you once did. When you are a child, you exercise without even thinking about it, but as the responsibilities of adulthood take over it can be easy to let your activity level wane. You should step up your exercise level in order to increase testosterone.

Keep Your Weight in Health Limits

Exercise can help with this one too, but keeping your weight down also helps make sure your testosterone is at the right level. The less weight you put on, the more likely you are to keep your sex levels working properly. Staying thin also helps keep you feeling good about sexual contact which helps keep you away from erectile dysfunction from developing.

Eat Right, Balance is Key

Your body is a balance of chemistry, minerals and functions. By eating correctly you allow your body to process food properly and build the strength and proper levels of all the hormones and levels in your body. The more closely you adhere to a balanced diet the more likely you are to keep erectile dysfunction at bay. Your body can not work properly if you are putting bad food into it and it cannot metabolize things properly.

Reduce Stress Levels

Stress is a leading cause of erectile dysfunction. You need to find healthy ways to deal with your stress in order to keep working properly. You need to be able to separate yourself from your outside pains and problems in order to focus on the positive sexual energy. This can mean meditating, having rules about dealing with work at home or even just taking a walk to release your problems of the day.

Stay Inspired, Take the Time

Busy schedules often lead to erectile dysfunction. If you have been married for a long time, you need to take the time to be with one another. You have to reach out and stay inspired. This can mean taking mini weekends away, or planning sex so that you make sure you stay in the habit. Erectile dysfunction can sometimes come from the lack of use and then you expect it to be normal when you finally do. You should work to keep your sex life active so you notice any problem as it develops rather than waiting until it is too late.