One of the beautiful things about the Candian healthcare system is its rigorous testing and approval process for all medications, supplements, and devices. This means that when a product is approved for use in Canada, you can be sure that it is effective, and of high quality.

Health Canada keeps a list of all products that have been approved for use in Canada, and these products have all undergone stringent testing to ensure that they meet all safety and efficacy standards. These products are all effective, safe, and of high quality, and pass quality control with flying colours.

Products like Sildenafil (Viagra), Tadalafil (Cialis), and Vardenafil (Levitra) are all approved by Health Canada for use in Canada, and are some of the most effective and well-known treatments for erectile dysfunction on the market today. But what are they, how do they work, and how effective are they? We'll overview this, and more.

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What Really Is Erectile Dysfunction?

Often misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and untreated, erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most common male sexual dysfunctions. ED is defined as the inability to develop or maintain an erection for satisfactory sexual intercourse. Although the prevalence of ED increases with age, it is not something that has to happen to every man.

Erectile dysfunction can result from a number of causes, both physical and psychological. Physical causes include diabetes, heart disease, and injuries to the pelvic area or spinal cord. Psychological causes include anxiety, depression, and stress.

Although there are treatments available, many men are reluctant to discuss the issue with their doctor. This may be due to the stigma attached to ED, or the belief that it is a natural part of aging. However, it is important to remember that erectile dysfunction is a medical condition that can be treated.

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Why Does ED Happen?

There are a number of possible causes of ED, both physical and psychological. Physical causes can include:

Heart disease - This is one of the most common causes of ED. Heart disease can reduce the amount of blood that flows to the penis, making it difficult to achieve and maintain an erection.

Diabetes - Diabetes can damage the blood vessels and nerves that are responsible for erections. Nerves can be damaged by diabetic neuropathy, and blood vessels can be damaged by atherosclerosis.

Injuries to the pelvic area or spinal cord - Injuries to the spinal cord or the area around the pelvis can interfere with the nerves and blood vessels that are responsible for erections.

Genetics - Some men are born with conditions that can cause ED, such as Peyronie's disease, which affects the shape of the penis.

Obesity - Obesity can damage the blood vessels and nerves that are responsible for erections. It can also lead to conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, which can also cause ED.

Psychological causes can include:

Anxiety - Anxiety can interfere with the sexual response by causing arousal problems or erectile dysfunction.

Depression - Depression can cause sexual dysfunction, including problems with arousal, orgasm, and erectile function.

Stress - Stress can interfere with the sexual response by causing arousal problems or erectile dysfunction.

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Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction

If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction, don’t fret! It’s a treatable condition. Consider addressing some of the following common complaints with your doctor and/or health care provider.

Any of these may be a symptom of erectile dysfunction:

• Inability to attain or sustain an erection during masturbation
• Erections that subside before sexual intercourse is completed
• Reduced sexual desire that has lowered your frequency of sexual activity
• Trouble getting an erection when you are sexual aroused or stimulated in the way you like (for example, during your partner’s foreplay)
• Anxiety about your sexual performance that affects sexual activity
• Erections that are not firm enough for sexual intercourse

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The Top ED Treatments Approved By Canada Health

Nowadays it is possible to treat erectile dysfunction with many different methods. Here are some of the most popular treatments that are approved by Canada Health.

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1. Sildenafil

Sildenafil, also known as Viagra, is a popular medication used to treat erectile dysfunction. It is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor (PDE5 inhibitor) that works by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis, allowing more blood to flow into the penis and leading to an erection.

PDE5 inhibitors are effective in the majority of men with erectile dysfunction, regardless of the cause of the dysfunction. They are also generally well tolerated, with the most common side effects being headache, flushing, and indigestion. They work by inhibiting the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), which is responsible for the degradation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). cGMP is a nucleotide that is responsible for the dilation of blood vessels, which leads to an erection.

In simpler terms, PDE5 inhibitors block the action of an enzyme that causes erections to go away. They allow the natural process of erection to occur when sexual stimulation occurs.

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Sildenafil Side Effects

There are many potential side effects of sildenafil, including:

• Headache (Caused by Dilated Blood Vessels)
• Dizziness (Which may be caused by Low Blood Pressure)
• Nausea
• Flushing (The sensation of warmth and/or redness in your face, neck, or chest)
• Stuffy Nose
• Vision Changes (such as Blurred Vision, Sensitivity to Light, and/or Color Tinting)
• Ringing in Ears
• Muscle Aches
• Back Pain
  

Less common side effects include:

• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Insomnia
  

Very rare side effects include:

• Seizures
• Heart Attack
• Stroke
• Priapism (prolonged and painful erection)
• Skin Rash
• Hives
• Allergic Reactions
  

If you experience any of these side effects, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

2. Tadalafil

Tadalafil, also known as Cialis, is another popular medication used to treat erectile dysfunction. It is a PDE5 inhibitor that works by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis, allowing more blood to flow into the penis and leading to an erection.

PDE5 inhibitors are effective in the majority of men with erectile dysfunction, regardless of the cause of the dysfunction. They are also generally well tolerated, with the most common side effects being headache, flushing, and indigestion.

Tadalafil is different from other PDE5 inhibitors because it has a longer half-life, which means it stays in the body for longer and is effective for up to 36 hours. This means that you don't need to take it as often as other PDE5 inhibitors, because it will still be effective even if you have sexual intercourse the day after taking it.

For example, if you take sildenafil (Viagra) at 8 pm on Friday night, it is only effective for that one sexual encounter. If you take tadalafil (Cialis) at 8 pm on Friday night, it will still be effective for at least 8 to 10 hours on Saturday night.

For this reason, Tadalafil is sometimes referred to as the "weekend pill".

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Tadalafil Side Effects

The most common side effects of tadalafil include:

• Dizziness (Or a feeling of lightheadedness)
• Headache
• Nausea
• Flushing
• Stuffy Nose
• Sensation of warmth or redness in your face, neck, or chest (Caused by Dilated Blood Vessels)
• Visual Changes (such as Blurred Vision, Sensitivity to Light, and/or Color Tinting)

Less common side effects include:

• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Insomnia

Rare side effects include:

• Seizures
• Heart Attack
• Stroke
• Priapism (prolonged and painful erection)
• Skin Rash
• Hives
• Allergic Reactions
  

If you experience any of these side effects, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

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3. Vardenafil

Vardenafil, also known as Levitra, is a PDE5 inhibitor that is similar to sildenafil. It is effective in the majority of men with erectile dysfunction, regardless of the cause of the dysfunction. The most common side effects are headache, flushing, and stuffy or runny nose.

Vardenafil works by inhibiting the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), which is responsible for the degradation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). What makes vardenafil different from sildenafil is that it has a much longer half-life, meaning that it remains in the body for a longer period of time. Vardenafil is also different from Cialis in that it can be taken with or without food.

The main advantage of vardenafil over other PDE5 inhibitors is that it has a faster onset of action, meaning that it is effective in as little as 20 minutes. It also has a longer duration of action, up to 8 hours, which is longer than other PDE5 inhibitors like Sildenafil (Viagra).

When using PDE5 inhibitors, it is important to remember that they will only work if there is sexual stimulation. They will not cause an erection on their own.

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Vardenafil Side Effects

There are many potential side effects of vardenafil, including:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Flushing (The sensation of warmth and/or redness in your face, neck, or chest)
• Stuffy Nose
• Vision Changes (such as Blurred Vision, Sensitivity to Light, and/or Color Tinting)
• Ringing in Ears
• Muscle Aches
• Back Pain
  

Less common side effects include:

• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Insomnia
  

Very rare side effects include:

• Seizures
• Heart Attack
• Stroke
• Priapism (prolonged and painful erection)
• Skin Rash
• Hives
• Allergic Reactions
  

If you experience any of these side effects, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

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The Dangers of Taking Non-Approved Medication

Erectile dysfunction is a common problem, affecting up to millions of men across the globe. Because of its prevalence, it's often treated with medication. While there are many approved medications on the market, there are also many that are not. Taking unapproved medication can be extremely dangerous, and can lead to serious side effects or even death. If you're considering taking any medication for erectile dysfunction, be sure to speak with your doctor first to ensure it is safe and effective.

You know if a medication is approved by Canadian regulators if it has a DIN (Drug Identification Number). Health Canada is responsible for approving all drugs that are sold in Canada, and they will not approve a drug unless it is safe and effective. Drugs that are not approved by Health Canada are not necessarily unsafe, but they have not been evaluated for safety or efficacy. This means that there is a higher risk of side effects or other problems when taking these medications.

Some unapproved erectile dysfunction medications are being sold online. Many of these websites are based in other countries, and may not be subject to Canadian laws and regulations. This means that they may not be required to list all of the potential side effects of the medication, or they may not be required to follow Good Manufacturing Practices. Good Manufacturing Practices are a set of guidelines that must be followed in order to ensure that medications are safe and effective.

Some of the unapproved erectile dysfunction medications being sold online may be listed under the same popular brand names as ED medications you already know, but there is great risk in taking unapproved medications, even if they are sold under a familiar name. The active ingredient in these medications may not be the same as the approved medication, or the amount of active ingredient may be different. The manufacturing process may also be different, and the quality control measures may not be as rigorous.

In general, it is always best to speak with your doctor before taking any medication, even if it is sold over-the-counter or online. This is the best way to ensure that the medication is safe and effective for you.

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How To Select the Right Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction

The only way to truly select the right treatment for erectile dysfunction is to speak with your doctor. Your doctor will be able to determine the cause of your ED and select the most appropriate treatment based on the underlying cause. If your ED is due to a physical cause, such as diabetes or heart disease, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, such as exercise and weight loss, or medication to treat the underlying condition. If your ED is due to psychological causes, such as anxiety or depression, your doctor may recommend counseling or therapy to help you manage your condition.

In some cases, your doctor may recommend a combination of treatments, such as lifestyle changes, counseling, and medication. No matter what treatment your doctor recommends, it is important to be honest with them about your symptoms and be open to trying different treatments. Do not be afraid to ask your doctor questions about the treatment, the expected outcome, and any possible side effects.

If you're suffering from ED, Phoenix can help. Our licensed Canadian physicians are experienced in treating erectile dysfunction and can offer you the best treatment options available. Click here to learn more about our erectile dysfunction treatments.