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Do Pills for ED Really Work?

Q. I’m 50 years old with type 1 diabetes, and I have ED. I’m exercising regularly 20 minutes daily. Do those pills you see on TV with the guy smiling all the time really work?
A. Diabetes is linked to sexual difficulties, particularly erectile dysfunction. There is ample evidence that drugs such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra do work for many men. An analysis of several studies reports that Viagra results in successful intercourse roughly 50 to 80 percent of the time. That compares to 14 to 35 percent success for placebo treatment (Clinical Interventions in Aging, Dec., 2006).
Please discuss this problem with your physician. Even if the ED drugs you see advertised were not effective for you, there are a number of other treatment options.

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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