Leading a near normal life (let me put it in this way because a fully normal life is impossible in my case) is a challenging task when you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The disease not only affected my blood glucose level, but my behavior, emotions, and, I must confess, sex. The latter beat my self-esteem especially hard. I could not operate in the same way I used before and given the fact that I am just 45 y.o., I was completely stressed and depressed. The worst thing about diabetes is that it not only hampers your sexual function but reduces your drive for sex, too. This all was a nightmare for both of us: for me and my girlfriend. I really feared that our relationships would die, as well as my masculinity.

I completely did not want to be that one out of three diabetic men suffering from erectile dysfunction (yes, I studied statistics carefully). But I also knew that diabetes has the potential to damage my erectile tissue severely, leaving no chances for recovery in case I let the things slide.

I did everything I could to manage my diabetes, such as I went on a diet, started exercising, and took insulin timely, blindly following my doctor’s prescriptions. Still, I did not feel that I am as good in bed as I previously was. I was able to achieve an erection but failed to keep it long enough. But 45 years is not the age when a man wants to give up on sex…

My happy sexual life was in tatters as surely as my self-opinion. Having no strength to bear this self-humiliation any longer, I spoke to my doctor. I was psychologically prepared to spend mega bucks on brand-name ED drugs because doctors always prescribe original (say, expensive) treatments explaining this decision with their almost 100% effectiveness and safety. And I did not mistake, my primary physician prescribed me Viagra 100 mg, ensuring that this dose would work well for me.

Well, it really did. I could party all night long, taking us two to the cloud seven and reducing her to multiple orgasms. But… but. My happiness was not that sweet and long, because every Viagra dose hit me in the wallet, leaving me nearly bankrupt. If you do not know, one pill of original Viagra 100 mg costs $20-25 on the average. It seemed that my erectile dysfunction could really cause a significant loss of quality of my life – it did deprive me of good sex and ruined my finances, too. Calling to my insurance company gave no results – my insurance plan did not cover lifestyle drugs like Viagra. There was no way to justify the treatment with Viagra.

I spoke to my doctor again, complaining about this shit situation I got into. He seemed very sympathetic and prescribed me “plain” Sildenafil Citrate as a more affordable alternative to genuine Viagra that is safe for diabetics, too. The physician also warned me that I must not mix Sildenafil with any drugs for heart issues just to avoid complications. Fortunately, my heart did not bother me much those times with my turning to a healthier regimen. Then I asked “Where can I get Sildenafil?” and the doctor answered that practically in every drugstore.

Need for a cheaper Erectile Dysfunctione drug

My hunt for a more cost-effective ED drug forced me to hit the Internet. I browsed different medical sites and e-drugstores gleaning the necessary information about Sildenafil and its pharmaceutical form, trying to find the most beneficial option. And I did! One of the online drug stores dispensed Viagra Professional 50 mg and 100 mg with Sildenafil Citrate as the key ingredient. This discovery was very important for me since I wanted only the drug with the same active component as in the brand-name Viagra.

The offer caught my attention and motivated to learn more about this generic copy of Pfizer’s Viagra. My findings amazed me if not to say shocked. It turned out that the pharmaceutical market is full of cheap, yet effective ED remedies like Viagra Professional but we do not know about their existence because we are used to thinking (not without the fierce advertising) that there is only one drug that can combat impotence – Viagra, surely. It all seems that we are simply NOT ALLOWED to learn about low-priced generics… Only insanely expensive original drugs, only hardcore…

So, I delved into the essence of Viagra Professional to make sure it is as efficacious as much-touted genuine Viagra. And this is what I discovered.

What is Viagra Professional?

Viagra Professional is a bioequivalent version of branded Viagra with Sildenafil Citrate as the core element. Available in the strengths of 100 mg and 50 mg, Viagra Professional presents a PDE5 (phosphodiesterase type 5) inhibitor – the drug meant for the management of erectile dysfunction in men over 18. The mechanism of its action comes from its ability to intensify the blood flow inside the Intracavernosal space, causing an erection under sexual stimuli.

A proper level of nitric oxide within sex organs is essential for an adequate erection because it triggers the production of the enzyme called guanylate cyclase, which leads to a higher level of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Such a chain reaction makes the smooth muscle in the corpus cavernosum relax, allowing more blood to come into the genital organ. Viagra Professional increases the effect of nitric oxide by selectively blocking PDE5, which is responsible for the suppression of cGMP in the erectile tissue. Greater levels of cGMP in the penis cause the smooth muscle to relax and expand, providing for a better blood travel inside the corpus cavernosum, thus, creating a rock-hard erection. But you know, low levels of nitric oxide synthesis and poor circulation, in general, are common for diabetics like me. That is why Viagra Professional seems a very reasonable solution to treat ED in patients like me.

I found out that Viagra Professional does not cause many complications provided you do not have severe conditions like an impaired liver or kidney function, stroke or seizures. Since I managed to take my diabetes under control, I was not afraid of serious side effects related to the use of Viagra Professional. When I knew the price of Viagra Professional ($2-5 for a 100 mg pill and $0.65-1.5 for a 50 mg pill), I had no doubts about switching to this very drug.

Did Viagra Professional work for me?

OK, I was allured by Viagra Professional and hurried to order it online (surely, after talking to my doctor and discussing the treatment regimen and possible drug-to-drug interactions. I must say, there were a few matters to concern). To start with, I took a half of Viagra Professional pill (25 mg). Had no side effects and no significant benefits either. In a couple of days, I decided to increase my dose to the recommended in the leaflet 50 mg. It did not kick in for at least 60 minutes, I was quite disappointed… But once it started working, I was able to keep a full erection and get subsequent erections as needed through about the next 36 hours.

I was very satisfied with my performance but continued experimenting with Viagra Professional and the next time, I used a 100 mg dose. It was awful! Lightheadedness, rapid heartbeat, unbearable back and leg pain – I experienced them all at once! This is how I understood that side-effects of Viagra Professional are dose-related. I settled on Viagra Professional 50 mg as the most optimal variant for me. Now, I take one pill every 36-48 hours or when I need it and have good sex without any noticeable afterward complications.

My verdict is: Viagra Professional may be a right ED drug provided you follow all instructions and adjust a correct dose.