Sex Pills: Which Ones Are The Best? Do They Even Work?

Table of Contents

• What Are Sex Pills?
• Sex Pills for Men
• What is a PDE Inhibitor?
• About Viagra and Other Oral ED Medications
• Are Sex Pills Safe?
• Are There Sex Tablets For Women?
• Are There Pills to Increase Sex Drive?
• Can Sex Pills Help Erectile Dysfunction
• Can You Get Sex Pills Over The Counter?
• Do Sex Pills Make You Last Longer in Bed?
• Do Sex Pills Increase Penis Size?
• What Are The Best Sex Pills?
• Other Ways to Improve Your Sex Life
• So, Do Sex Pills Increase Performance?

What Are Sex Pills?

Sex pills, often referred to as sexual pills or sexual enhancement pills, are designed to help people with sexual problems. You can get sex pills prescribed to you by your doctor or by an online pharmacy. You can also find unlicensed herbal sex pills, but these are not proven to be effective, and in some cases, they may be dangerous.

Sex Pills for Men

There is a wide range of sex pills for men, with medication to treat both erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. 

Before thinking about which tablet to try for your sexual health, It’s important to think about how you would like it to improve and what might be the best and safest way to make it happen. 

There are four main types of PDE5 inhibitors available for men with ED. Viagra is the most commonly prescribed medicine for erectile dysfunction, although there are other male enhancement pills, including Cialis and Levitra.

What is a PDE Inhibitor?

PDE5 inhibitors are a group of medications that are most commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Originally, they were used to treat conditions such as high blood pressure and angina, but it was later discovered that they were also effective in treating the symptoms of ED.

Erectile dysfunction affects around 4.3 million men in the UK, with 50-55% of men aged between 40-70 having this condition.

For those looking to treat erectile dysfunction, PDE5 inhibitors are often the first recommendation.  

About Viagra and Other Oral ED Medications

Sildenafil (Viagra)

Sildenafil (also known as the blue pill) was approved in 1998 under the name Viagra to treat erectile dysfunction in men. It is often the first treatment doctors recommend for men with erectile dysfunction. 

How Sildenafil Works

A sildenafil tablet typically starts to work within one hour of taking the medication. However, unlike other PDE5 inhibitors, you will only receive an erection once you are sexually aroused. You should take Viagra on an empty stomach as eating slows down its absorption rate and delays its effects.

How Long Does Sildenafil Last?

The effects of Viagra usually last for about 4 hours, but in some men, they can last for up to 12 hours. A sildenafil tablet is normally taken in doses of between 25-100 mg per day. 

Are There Any Side Effects?

As with any medicine, there is a small risk of experiencing unwanted side effects, including:

• Headaches
• Flushing
• Indigestion
• Cold-like symptoms
• Vision issues

Tadalafil (Cialis)

Tadalafil has been available since 2003 to treat erectile dysfunction. It has also been approved to treat benign prostate hyperplasia (BHP). Tadalafil tablets are available on prescription only and should not be taken if you also take nitrates, as this can cause dangerously low blood pressure

How Tadalafil Works

Tadalafil should start to take effect within 20 minutes of taking it, and it is recommended that you take a Cialis tablet at least half an hour before sexual intercourse

How Long Does Tadalafil Last?

Tadalafil tablets are the most long-lasting of all the PDE5 inhibitors and can last for up to 36 hours. However, there is also an option for a daily pill, known as tadalafil daily. This option provides a continuous effect, reducing the need to schedule doses and plan sexual activity. Tadaalfil doses vary from 10mg and 20mg for the “when required” tablets, and 2.5mg and 5mg for the daily option.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Common side effects of Tadalafil include:

• Headaches
• Flushing
• Indigestion
• Back and muscle pain
• Cold-like symptoms 

Vardenafil (Levitra)

Vardenafil was approved in 2003 for treating erectile dysfunction and is commonly used by diabetics

How Vardenafil Works

Vardenafil typically takes effect within 25 minutes of taking a tablet and works by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation. 

How Long Does Vardenafil Last?

Vardenafil lasts for between 5-7 hours for most men, although the effects can last for up to 12. A dose of Vardenafil is 5mg-20mg

Are There Any Side Effects?

The most common side effects of Vardenafil are:

• Headaches
• Flushing
• Indigestion
• Nasal congestion
• Cold-like symptoms

Avanafil (Spedra)

Avanafil is the newest of all the ED pills and has been on the market since 2012. This ED pill is sold under the name Spedra. It is the fastest acting ED treatment available on the market.

How Does Avanafil Work?

Avanafil typically takes effect within 15 minutes after taking it. You should not take more than one dose of Avanafil in 24 hours.

How Long Does Avanafil Last?

Avanafil lasts around 4 hours.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Common side effects of Avanafil include:

• Headaches
• Flushing
• Indigestion
• Nasal congestion
• Cold-like symptoms

Are Sex Pills Safe?

Erectile dysfunction pills that are prescribed by your doctor or that you purchase from a reputable online pharmacy are generally safe for most people. There may be certain health conditions or medication you are taking, where sex pills are not safe to take. Your doctor or pharmacist will ask you a series of questions to ensure that it is safe for you to take pills for sex. If not, you can speak to your doctor or pharmacist about alternative treatment.

You should ensure to check that the pharmacy you are purchasing sex tablets from is registered. There are websites selling unregulated pills for sex online, such as Kamagra. These can be harmful to your health, and are not fit for use in the UK.

Sexual enhancement pills for men sold on unregulated websites are not subject to the same level of scrutiny as licensed medications. These products may not contain the ingredients they claim, or could contain unlisted substances that can affect your health.

Beyond the risk of side effects, the most significant drawback of buying male enhancement pills from unregulated sources is that they are unlikely to be effective.

Only medications from licensed, regulated medical sources are proven to safely address sexual health issues.

Are There Sex Tablets For Women?

Women can also experience some form of sexual dysfunction such as low sex drive, pain during intercourse, and problems reaching an orgasm.

While there are currently no licensed sex pills in the UK to increase female sex drive, there are mediations available in other countries, including:

• Flibanserin: Dubbed as the “female Viagra”, this is available in the US and is designed for women who have a low sex drive.
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): These are typically prescribed for treating anxiety and depression, but they may also help with sex-related issues.
• Prelox: This is a herbal sex pill that is aimed at women who are experiencing a low sex drive after the menopause.
• Sex Therapy: If the cause of low sex drive is stress or anxiety, sex therapy or counselling can provide coping mechanisms and help you identify the root of your distress.  

Are There Pills to Increase Sex Drive?

Pills for sex such as Viagra connect can help you to achieve and maintain an erection, they will not help to boost your sex drive.

If your sex drive is low, there are several natural remedies that you can try, including:

• Eating natural aphrodisiacs like avocado, bananas and figs
• Eating vitamin-rich food like oranges and bell peppers
• Taking supplements such as ginkgo biloba and niacin
• Getting enough sleep
• Exercising regularly
• Avoiding alcohol

You should visit your doctor to ascertain the reason why your sex drive is low, as tests can help to measure your testosterone and hormone levels.

Can Sex Pills Help Erectile Dysfunction

While they may be effective for treating specific erectile issues, there is limited evidence to support the effectiveness of tablets for other sexual problems, such as low libido.

Tablets, such as Viagra or Cialis, can help manage erectile dysfunction (ED) by improving blood flow to the penis, making it easier to achieve and maintain an erection. These medications do not cure ED but can provide temporary relief. It's important to consult a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause of ED and ensure the safe use of these pills.

Can You Get Sex Pills Over The Counter?

You can buy sex pills over the counter in the UK, however, these are limited to sildenafil 50mg. Viagra Connect was approved for sale without prescription, and you can buy Viagra over the counter at most pharmacies. You will be required to have a consultation with a pharmacist beforehand, to ensure that it is safe for you to take.

Do Sex Pills Make You Last Longer in Bed?

There are two types of sex pills, those that are used to treat ED, and those that are used to treat premature ejaculation. ED treatment is only able to help you last longer if you are unable to get and keep an erection. If you are ejaculating faster than you would like, then medication for premature ejaculation is more appropriate. Depending on the medication you choose, there are sex pills that can help you enjoy long lasting sex.

Medications such as Viagra, Sildenafil, Cialis, and tadalafil will help you to achieve and maintain an erection, if you are unable to do so.

Sexual pills designed to delay ejaculation, such as Prilligy, and anaesthetic creams such as EMLA, will help you to last longer if you are ejaculating quicker than you like.

Do Sex Pills Increase Penis Size?

Sex pills cannot naturally increase the size of your penis. ED medication will help to give you a fuller erection, which can help to make your penis bigger, if you are unable to get fully erect. However, they will not have any impact on the natural size of your penis.

Penis enlargement pills do not work, and some can even put your health at risk. Therefore, these unregulated products should be avoided at all costs.

You can also find penis enlargement lotions and oils, but these have also been proven to be ineffective.

If you are concerned about the size of your penis, counselling is a much better option as it can help you to get to the root cause of your body issues.

What Are The Best Sex Pills?

The best sex pills are the ones that are prescribed to you by your doctor or online pharmacy, as these are licensed and safe. It may take a few attempts to find the best pill for you. Often, the best sex pill is one that works, and has mild side effects, or none at all.

The most popular sexual enhancement pills like sildenafil and Viagra, which are specifically designed to treat erectile dysfunction in men. If neither have proven to be successful, there are Viagra alternatives available.

If you do not want to talk to your doctor about ED, you can buy Viagra online from an online pharmacy. Your sex pills will arrive in discreet packaging and come with a patient information leaflet. Whilst there is no face to face contact, you will have to complete an online consultation, to ensure that medication is safe to take.

Other Ways to Improve Your Sex Life

As well as licensed sex pills, there are also several other techniques and treatments that you can try to improve your sex life, including:

• Topical treatments such as EMLA or alprostadil
• Penis pumps or rings
• Pelvic floor exercises
• Sex therapy
• Not using recreational drugs or drinking excessively 
• Checking for any underlying health problems like diabetes or thyroid issues

So, Do Sex Pills Increase Performance?

Health is important. If you experience erectile dysfunction, then sexual enhancement pills such as Viagra and Cialis can help you to achieve and maintain an erection. They do not have any impact on sexual stamina.

However, if the cause of your sex problems is stress, sexual anxiety, or depression, you may want to speak to a sex therapist or counsellor before deciding to try a prescribed medication that could affect your sexual health.

Before buying sex pills online, make sure that you thoroughly research your chosen supplier and speak to either your doctor or an online pharmacist to ensure that the medication is safe for you to use.

Whilst all of our content is written and reviewed by healthcare professionals, it is not intended to be substituted for or used as medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.