How long before PDE5s (Cialis, Viagra, Levitra) stop working?

[Mazzio]

I started to use Viagra when I was about 40 years old. It did work about 10 years. I think that the reason why it does not work properly anymore is mostly age-related issue. Probably something happens in the blood circulation. It might also be partly a digestive issue. Levitra did never work for me. Cialis did work almost as good as Viagra but the side effects also last longer. Currently I use Sildenafil 50 mg + Caverject combo.

A few ideas:
- Pills work better when they melt under the tongue
- Pills work better if they are taken when going to sleep. You can try to have sex early in the morning.
- Sometimes I take a small amount of sildenafil in the evening just to get nocturnal erection. (Not to have sex.) 10 mg or even about 5 mg is usually enough for this.

[steamfitter]

18 year relationship and 7 year marriage. Divorce was unrelated to ED. Weren't many ED experiences during our relationship because the 25mg Viagra dose was so effective. But I absolutely needed it to perform every time. If things would start up spontaneously, I had pills in my wallet and would just excuse myself to the restroom to pop one and then give her foreplay for a half hour or 45 minutes until I felt the facial flush and knew the medicine was kicking in. Even if I lost it after going at it hard for awhile, I knew the medication would help me get it back up to finish. And I tended to get off very quickly with her because her vagina was small and super tight so it was basically 5 to 7 minutes of sex once or twice a week that entire time. She would orgasm several times and didn't want or need any marathon sessions or repeat performance. So it was one and done, short and sweet, and minimal performance anxiety. She never even had any idea I used anything at all. Some erectile issues began to occur maybe 15 years but it was mainly me realizing the 25mg dose of Viagra wasn't as reliable or effective anymore. I would only get hard with penile stimulation and would go soft before finishing at times but not get it back.

Hi Cozpgh,

Again, thank you very much for the extensive and extremely informative (at least for me, who has not yet used PDE5s) posts.

Thus far I have been reading most of the threads since January this year. The main theme with almost all PDE5 users is that their intake is basically daily.

So for example, a person uses Cialis for 10 years and has no response to it after the tenth year. However, that is 10 years *365 pills per day = total of 3,650 pills. In theory, won't it be possible to extend the effective usage period by taking only for example one pill three times per week (without additional doses before sex, if I am receptive enough)? This would mean a total of 1,650 pills taken over the same period. Unfortunately, that would also mean to have sex less days in a week.

It would be very helpful if someone has more insight on this. It's possible that it might be just wishful thinking on my part.

Best regards,
EveningWood

I think (correct me if I'm wrong) studies have shown that the PDE5 does not lose effectiveness, it's your ED gradually advancing on its own. If the drug is 100% out of your bloodstream, your tolerance should reset back to baseline.

[EveningWood]

I started to use Viagra when I was about 40 years old. It did work about 10 years. I think that the reason why it does not work properly anymore is mostly age-related issue. Probably something happens in the blood circulation. It might also be partly a digestive issue. Levitra did never work for me. Cialis did work almost as good as Viagra but the side effects also last longer. Currently I use Sildenafil 50 mg + Caverject combo.

A few ideas:
- Pills work better when they melt under the tongue
- Pills work better if they are taken when going to sleep. You can try to have sex early in the morning.
- Sometimes I take a small amount of sildenafil in the evening just to get nocturnal erection. (Not to have sex.) 10 mg or even about 5 mg is usually enough for this.

Thanks, Mazzio for the practical tips!

[defiant]

The question is flawed.

PDE5is don’t lose efficacy over time.

It’s more a case of the man’s natural function worsening and/or their mental state deteriorating to great extents.

[yogi82562000]

I have been using a variety of meds for over 15 years. Started with Viagra before I turned 50 and would only need it for nighttime play. Still able to perform well in the mornings when not tired or stressed. Switched to Cialis for it longer acting effects and started with 1/2 a 20mg tablet. With both the viagra and Cialis my erections were amazing and once I got hard they stayed that way until done. Progressed to full dose and now although 20mg still works I will get soft at times during foreplay but then hard enough for penetration. I take the dose at night and wife likes morning and most times I am hard most of the night. Other times last night I took a dose and didn’t get hard at all nor did I wake up hard. As someone else mentioned is the meds not as effective or is it just being 65.
Good luck

[Gavalar09]

I've been taking cialis 5mg as and when needed for about 5 years.

Worried that I don't get enough blood flow as I don't get morning wood anymore.

Had to use 10mg for the first time a few days ago which worried me.

Hoping I can keep them going until at least my 40s. But I wouldn't know.worried the effects will wear off soon...

[EveningWood]

I've been taking cialis 5mg as and when needed for about 5 years.

Worried that I don't get enough blood flow as I don't get morning wood anymore.

Had to use 10mg for the first time a few days ago which worried me.

Hoping I can keep them going until at least my 40s. But I wouldn't know.worried the effects will wear off soon...

Hi Galavar09.

It is unfortunate for us young guys to start this early, but better than just sitting and having this problem.

We can only try to do our best and live a healthy lifestyle (to supplement a better penile health).


BR,
EveningWood

[Al1962]

5yrs. Diabetic, heart stent and need to eat better and exercise. Rarely have morning wood.
One additional pill 20mg Sildenafil per year so at 5 now. Male FWB's and I can't do anything more often than once a week. I can get an erection if we tried but now I can only orgasm about once a week. Lack of sensitivity is part of it. I have stopped masturbating because I just don't care to work that hard at it.
I would not even consider more than a one time thing with a woman unless I planned to get serious about injections.

[Al1962]

This topic is an important question.
I need a woman for sex to see if maybe I have any better luck than with a male FWB. I am not satisfied with my answer above. I wonder with a woman my taking a more active part in trying to please her and simultaneously work on my orgasm would keep my erection better. With my male friend we just take turns I do him and he does me, I am passive and let him do the work to give me an orgasm.
The 5 Sildenafil for a once a week male FWB thing is just not working and I guess I don't care to try anything more. I have always enjoyed playing around no matter who but maybe I have more interest in trying with woman again. If I had a woman I could determine if same results or not and consider more options.
All of this and all of the possibilities still does not compare to a spontaneous erection.
But I ramble.

[seekonk]

Pills worked well for me for 20 years. I only started injections as a failsafe security blanket for casual sex where pills would sometimes fail me (I’m single so most of the sex I have is The First Time with someone and therefore a lot of pressure).

My problem was supposedly psychogenic but I am convinced that is a quack diagnosis. There must be a physical reason why easy hard-ons become difficult over the years. Most docs just like washing their hands by telling you it’s in your head.

Then unfortunately injections ruined me for pills (and injections also stopped working) over the course of a couple of years. I must have caused serious damage or scarring with the needle, probably irreversible.

If you can keep pills working in any way, stay with them and away from injections. Dick pills should help preserve penile health.