Should I Consult a Doctor Before Purchasing ED Meds Online?

QUIZ: Do you have ED?

Tight shoes and erectile dysfunction have a little in common. Both have solutions that can be purchased online. So why is it that many men will not order shoes from a website, but they will comfortably order ED meds online?

Discretion and convenience are a big part of the why, but is it worth the risk? The list of side effects linked to some ED drugs can be serious, depending on your medical history and other prescriptions you might take.

And if you buy those ED meds online, you expose yourself to additional potential dangers, such as being scammed by unauthorized sellers. Many men have walked in those unfortunate shoes – WebMD reports that by some estimates, less than half of all ED drugs sold online are the real thing.

Your doctor can help protect you from such risks, by performing a physical exam to rule out medical complications and side effects as well as by making informed recommendations of which online ED medication sellers you can trust.

Why Erectile Dysfunction Should Be Evaluated for Treatment

The occasional failed erection is common – more than four in 10 men of all ages experience intermittent ED. What distinguishes this temporary issue from full-blown erectile dysfunction is that men with ED are unable to get an erection strong enough to perform sex at least half of the time.

This can be embarrassing and stressful for the estimated 30 million to 50 million men who live with ED – and their partners. It can also signal an underlying medical issue. While ED is often linked to seemingly harmless low blood flow to the penis, other causes exist that can require medical care.

These conditions include:

• An enlarged prostate
• Prostate cancer
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Peyronie’s disease (painful curvature of the penis)
• Nerve (neurological) problems caused by spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and even heavy metal poisoning

How ED Meds Restore Your Erection

Erectile dysfunction drugs work by boosting the levels of nitric oxide in your blood. Nitric oxide is a naturally produced chemical that widens your veins and arteries. The more easily blood flows into your penis, the easier it is for you to get and hold an erection.

Since the FDA approved Viagra in 1998, the ED medication industry has boomed: By 2030, the ED drug market is expected to approach $2.2 billion, from nearly $1.4 billion in 2024. This is in part due to the creation of other ED medications. In addition to sildenafil (Viagra), the most common are tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (formerly Levitra), and avanafil (Stendra).

All of these medications raise nitric oxide levels in the blood. Sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil – are now available as generics. However, each medication has a slightly different chemical makeup that controls how fast the drug kicks in, how long it lasts, and its side effects.

What You Risk When Ordering ED Meds Online

It’s now easy to find these ED drugs online, as well as many “natural remedies” that promise the same result. But medical experts advise you to think twice before buying them. Ordering your ED meds online without first consulting your doctor can pose risks that include:

1. Complications from existing health issues. Certain conditions can make erection-enhancing drugs unsafe or, at the least, ineffective for you. These conditions include severe liver or kidney disease; recent heart or blood vessel issues; very low or high blood pressure; and inherited eye diseases that affect the retina.
2. A harmful mix with other meds. Some ED drugs can react to other meds in ways that can have dangerous outcomes. These drugs include alpha-blockers (for enlarged prostate); nitrates (for angina/chest pain); and drugs that suppress the enzyme CYP3A4 (a metabolizer in the liver and intestines).
3. Being scammed. Unfortunately, many sellers of ED meds online do so illegally and/or try to pass off fakes. A legitimate site will include contact information and a physical address. It will be licensed, require a prescription from you, and make a licensed pharmacist available. You can contact the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy’s “Safe Pharmacy” feature to verify an online seller.
4. Taking the wrong dosage. Some research reveals that many ED drugs purchased online tested far below the advertised strength, WebMD reports. Further, different ED prescriptions could require different dosages. For example, Viagra is not designed to be taken daily. Your doctor will know the right amount for you.
5. Unexpected or exacerbated side effects. The most prevalent side effects of ED drugs are headaches, dizziness, body aches, and digestive issues. Research also connects the following to ED drugs, as well.

• Changes in vision. ED meds can cause blurriness, light sensitivity, and problems distinguishing colors, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. More serious side effects include vision loss in one eye, retinal detachment, or retinal blood clots, the medical publication JAMA reports.
• Hearing loss. Though uncommon, hearing loss and/or ringing in one or both ears can develop within a day of taking an ED medication, the Food and Drug Administration warns.

Talk to a doctor before buying ED meds online

Prior to taking any medication, and before ordering ED meds online, you should talk to your doctor. This is the best way to determine which drugs will best benefit your overall health, your individual needs, and lifestyle.

Depending on drug interactions and potential side effects, you might choose an alternative ED treatment. Among the non-invasive treatments for ED that MidLantic Urology offers:

• eWave therapy – The doctor directs low-frequency sound waves, which feel like pulses, that stimulate penile tissue and improve blood flow.
• Injection therapy – Here, you apply medication that increases blood flow yourself through an injection at the base of the penis shaft.
• Urethral suppository – Placing a small, seed-sized suppository that stimulate blood circulation into the tip of your penis.
• A penile pump – This is a vacuum device that manually draws blood into your penis, via a hand pump. You then place a ring around your penis to keep the erection.

Our surgeons can also perform a surgical implant.

If you choose to take medication, whether ordering ED meds online or picking them up at a pharmacy, talk to your doctor about the above risks. You will walk away with more confidence.

Erectile dysfunction can be treated. Read more details about our ED care options. If you’re curious about your ED score, take our online ED quiz.