With the launching of Viagra at the end of the '90s, the market for erectile dysfunction products has entered public awareness in a grand manner. The advertising campaign and the novelty of the product gave Viagra a place in the pop culture as an instantly recognizable solution to an old problem. It seemed that men could now rely on popping one or two pills in the mouth in order to get through the night of passion.

In time, Viagra had to face the competition in the form of Cialis and Levitra, two drugs that proved to be even stronger than Viagra. And so the current market of erectile dysfunction products was born. The three products competing for the biggest market share are, as mentioned above, Viagra, Cialis and Levitra.

These are the only drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat erectile dysfunction and they are all based on the same principle: increasing the flow of blood to the penis in order to make sure that a sexually stimulated man will actually get an erection. Erections are dependent on the proper flow of blood to the pelvic area and anything that interferes with the cardiovascular system (smoking, drinking and drugs come to mind) interferes with the sex life.

However, there are certain differences between the three drugs. Cialis is the strongest of the lot. The drug's effects start to make themselves felt in 15 minutes and last up to 36 hours. While it's true that only a few men have actually experienced the 36 hours period, it is, nevertheless, impressive. Levitra and Viagra work a bit slower. Their effects kick in after 30 minutes and last only 5 and 4 hours, respectively.

One thing to keep in mind is that any man considering a little help from these drugs should see a doctor before taking them. It's better to stay on the safe side. People with blood pressure or heart conditions should avoid these three drugs, since they operate at the level of the cardiovascular system and may interfere with heart medication or even cause unpleasant situations.

Even if you are perfectly healthy, you may experience some side effects from these drugs. Not many people have them, but if you experience headaches, upset stomach, flushing, back pain, changes in vision and nasal congestion, then leave the pills alone and see a doctor as soon as possible. The side effects should go away pretty fast, but we advise you to see a doctor just in case.

The erectile dysfunction drugs have shown for the first time how crucial a healthy blood flow is to a normal sex life and have managed to make the medical world focus on the physical roots of this dysfunction. Moreover, they have given hope to many desperate men who love life and love sex and can now enjoy both to the fullest.

The gate is open for more research of the causes behind erectile dysfunction and for better drugs that can make this problem a thing of the past. No more embarrassment, no more shame and no more hiding. Just one more problem mankind is preparing to deal with in a permanent fashion.