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Viagra and Cialis: All You Want to Know but are Too Embarrassed to Ask

by Matt Gorman April 18, 2017 How to Use

With a market currently valued around $4.4 billion, it’s no surprise a lot of RefillWise users ask about savings on erectile dysfunction drugs such as Cialis. Many have questions, but some feel embarrassed to ask everything on their mind because the topic can get a little awkward. We’ve put together answers to some of the more frequent questions we get in the hopes of keeping everyone safe, sparing a bit of embarrassment, and helping you save money on two of the most popular drugs in America.

Can I order it online without a prescription?

This is one of the most common questions we receive, so let’s be clear. The short answer is no, not really.

Thousands of companies advertising online claim to offer Cialis and Viagra for huge discounts without needing a prescription. A lot of these companies suggest they're Canadian, British, or American to try and gain your trust, but you can't really know the source or quality of these manufacturers. All of them gladly take your money. Some then disappear or ignore follow up emails and calls. Others might send medication in the mail that is supposedly brand name, but it’s a safe bet that the pill you’re about to introduce to your system came from an unregulated “lab” somewhere.

That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to kill you, but it doesn’t mean it’s safe either. It also doesn’t mean the product will work. A lot of these pills are sugar placebos or random cocktails of generic ingredients. A few of them may even contain added narcotics like opium. Although some people claim they’ve ordered from these shady online sources with satisfactory results, there are also many stories of those who either lost their money or received pills that didn’t work, and even more who began receiving a large quantity of spam phone calls and emails from Indian companies after placing orders.

Just to be clear…if you’re considering this option, don’t. In this day and age, ordering potentially dangerous medications from mystery pharmacies on the internet is a bad idea for a whole bunch of reasons. On behalf of the RefillWise family, we encourage you to reread that sentence a few times over and make a careful, responsible life decision.

Do they really work?

Yes, ED drugs like Viagra and Cialis actually do enable most men to achieve an erection, so in that sense they do work. If you think about what that question really means, however, the answer is more nuanced. Although achieving and maintaining an erection is a big part of sex, it does not guarantee a satisfying experience for either participant. The effects of the drugs are only physical — they won’t create a sincere attraction to your partner where there is none. Put simply, they’ll better enable you to have sex, but they won’t necessarily make you want sex. If you don’t actually want to have sex with your partner, then the issue isn't related to your penis.

What’s the difference between Cialis and Viagra? Is one better than the other?

The biological mechanism of the drugs is similar, but there are some subtle differences between them.

Viagra

Taking a dose of Viagra basically means you’re going to have an erection for 4 hours come hell or high water. It’s not guaranteed, but most users experience an erection within 30 minutes of ingestion, sometimes even without any stimulation. The erection typically lasts in varying states of rigidity until the drug exits the system in 3-5 hours.

Cialis

Unlike Viagra, taking a dose of Cialis doesn’t directly result in an erection, but instead heightens the likelihood and frequency of achieving an erection while the drug is in your system, which can be anywhere from 1 to 3 days. In laymen’s terms, it requires a little more mental effort and/or stimulation to take effect but will last a full weekend. Some users claim it’s a more organic and therefore enjoyable sexual experience, while others believe it doesn’t work as well as Viagra and are unable to achieve an erection at all.

How much does it cost?

Unsurprisingly, neither of these drugs are cheap. If your insurance does not cover ED treatments, Viagra and Cialis (single use) are probably going to run you between $56 to $66 per pill. Consequently, most prescriptions end up being just a few pills at a time. The drug manufacturers will sometimes run promotions or offer coupons for discounts on your first 3 pills, but after that you’re on your own to pay the full price. RefillWise can help save $10 to $40 or $50 on these prescriptions, which also helps ease the burden.

If the single use pills are cost prohibitive but 2 or 3 pills aren’t enough to last a month, Cialis also offers a daily use option of 2.5mg or 5mg which costs around $12 to $15 per pill, and begins to take effect by the 4th day. The end result is still somewhat expensive per month, but if taken daily, provides the same outcome of the single use at a fraction of what 30 single use pills would cost. RefillWise can also save up to $50 on these prescriptions.

Other Awkward Questions People Ask

Does it make you last longer?

This is a likely effect. Both Cialis and Viagra result in increased blood flow to the penis, which also decreases sensitivity to varying degrees based on dosage strength, metabolism, diet, and many other factors. Everyone is different, however.

Will they increase penis size?

No. That’s not really a thing. There might be more blood flow than usual, but no measurable difference in size.

What tips would you give men taking it for the first time?

Abstain from intercourse and masturbation for a few days before. Try to eat healthy, stay hydrated, and don’t drink too much alcohol.

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