Erectile dysfunction isn’t inevitable—it’s not a “natural” part of aging. There’s a bunch of possible causes, from heart disease to mental health and lifestyle.
And there are also plenty of treatment options, like tadalafil. Here’s what to know about it.
Key Takeaways
- Tadalafil treats erectile dysfunction by relaxing the muscles and improving blood flow
- It can be taken before sex or once per day for a continuous effect
- Studies show that it’s more effective than Viagra for ED
What is tadalafil used for?
Tadalafil is a treatment for erectile dysfunction and an enlarged prostate. In these instances, it’s sold under the brand name Cialis.
It’s also used to treat high blood pressure in the arteries that supply the lungs (pulmonary hypertension). Here, tadalafil is sold as Adcirca.
What does tadalafil do?
It’s a type of medicine called a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE-5). This means that it works by blocking the actions of the enzyme PDE-5.
So, how can tadalafil help with ED? By inhibiting PDE-5, it improves blood flow to the penis while relaxing the muscles—which both help with an erection.
Does tadalafil increase testosterone?
There’s evidence that tadalafil can raise T to some extent. In one study, 40 men with ED saw a 44.4% average increase in T after taking 5mg tadalafil tablets daily for 3 months.
Though tadalafil isn’t licensed as a treatment for testosterone deficiency. It wouldn’t boost T to the same degree as testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), for instance.
Tadalafil dosage
You either take tadalafil before sex or once per day for a continuous effect. There are two doses available in either category.
Your provider will advise on which tadalafil dosage is best for you personally.
Tadalafil 2.5mg
You’ll take lower doses of tadalafil if you’re using it daily. This is usually recommended for people wanting to have sex more than twice per week. You’ll likely start on 2.5mg and then adjust as necessary.
Tadalafil 5mg
This is the highest dose that you can take daily.
Tadalafil 10mg
The other option is to take tadalafil as needed, at least 30 minutes before sex. Again, you’ll probably be started on the lower dose.
Tadalafil 20mg
If the 10mg dose isn’t having much of an effect, your doctor may dial it up to 20mg. This is the highest strength of tadalafil available for ED.
Tadalafil for erectile dysfunction
Studies show that tadalafil is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction.
- After 12 weeks of regular use, over 80% of men reported improved erections—while for 50%, ED cleared completely
- An analysis of multiple studies found that tadalafil is the most effective PDE-5 medicine for ED
This is important: tadalafil helps with the physical aspects of an erection, but it doesn’t always treat the root cause of ED (i.e. it could be psychological or due to lifestyle). That means that it sometimes doesn’t work. Your provider can help you figure out what’s behind your ED and suggest the best route forward.
How long does tadalafil last?
It can last for up to 36 hours. But when you take tadalafil every day, its effects are continuous.
How long does tadalafil take to work?
Usually, it starts to kick in within 30-60 minutes.
Good to know: tadalafil won’t work unless you’re sexually aroused.
Tadalafil half life
The half life of a medicine is the amount of time it takes for half a dose to leave your system. After that point, its effects start to dwindle.
For tadalafil, that number is 17.5 hours in younger, healthy men and 21.6 in older men.
Tadalafil vs sildenafil (Viagra)
You’ve probably heard of Viagra, another PDE-5 inhibitor. It’s made with the active ingredient sildenafil and works in the same way as tadalafil.
Sildenafil tends to kick in faster than tadalafil but it doesn’t last as long: it works for just 4 hours.
Studies show that tadalafil is more effective than Viagra for ED.
Tadalafil side effects and safety
Generally, tadalafil is considered safe to take. Up to 1 in 10 people may experience side effects, including:
- Headache
- Back pain
- Facial flushing
- Indigestion
If your erection lasts more than four hours, go to A&E right away.
Tadalafil interactions and warnings
Before taking tadalafil, tell your doctor if you have:
- Sickle cell anemia
- Leukaemia or bone marrow cancer
- A serious liver or kidney problem
- Any physical deformations of your penis
You should also tell them if you’re taking any other medicines, including those for high blood pressure, prostate health, or any other ED treatments.
Where to buy tadalafil in the UK
You can only get tadalafil on the NHS if your ED is due to a specific condition, like multiple sclerosis.
But you can buy tadalafil from private providers. At Voy, we may offer it when you start TRT, if we think you would benefit.
Make sure you buy from registered clinics and pharmacies. Otherwise, there’s no guarantee that the products are safe or genuine.
TRT and erectile dysfunction
It’s not the only cause of erectile dysfunction, but low T affects up to 47% of men with ED.
Around 30-35% of men with ED don’t respond to PDE-5 medicines, a proportion because of unrecognised low T.
If you have low T and ED, the British Society for Sexual Medicine recommends using both TRT and daily tadalafil.
Boost your T
Get a science-backed, personalised low T treatment plan at Voy. Symptoms improve within 3 months for 90% of people on our programme.
Take our quiz or arrange a testosterone blood test to get started.
¹
