CIALIS® (tadalafil): ED Treatment

Involve Your Partner

Sexual Stimulation

Here is an excerpt from the book Back to Great Sex: Overcome ED and Reclaim Lost Intimacy, by Ridwan Shabsigh, MD (Copyright 2002, Kensington Books). Written as a guide for men who have ED, this book may help you as you explore your sexual health.

Sexual stimulation is very important for the man to be able to obtain and maintain erections sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity. Many scientists consider penile erections, in a simplistic way, to be a reflex. We all know examples of reflexes in our bodies, such as the knee-jerk reflex. Doctors frequently test this reflex by tapping with a reflex hammer on the tendon below the knee, which results in a jerky movement of the leg. The tapping with the reflex hammer is called stimulation. Similarly erections require stimulation. Such stimulation usually occurs during foreplay. It may involve one or more types of stimulation. For example stimulation can be by seeing, hearing, smelling, or touching. The latter may be genital or non-genital. Genital touching has a strong stimulation effect. Mental fantasy is another type of stimulation. Men at all ages require sexual stimulation for obtaining and maintaining erections. However, this requirement increases with aging. Older men usually require longer and more intense stimulation than younger men. Furthermore, they also depend significantly upon direct genital stimulation. In addition to providing sexual stimulation, foreplay itself can be very enjoyable. Continuous sexual stimulation is indispensable in order to be able to reach the ultimate pleasure of orgasm/ejaculation and relief. Sexual stimulation is also very important in order to provide the similarly required stimulation to the man’s partner. Women require sexual stimulation to be able to reach arousal and orgasm. Couples in long-term monogamous relationships may benefit from periodic innovation in their sexual stimulation methods, especially with aging. Having open communications between the two sexual partners regarding their stimulation preferences can be very helpful in enhancing the effectiveness of sexual stimulation and increasing the pleasure of sexual activity. In summary, sexual stimulation is important in both men and women for satisfactory arousal and orgasm. Aging increases the requirements of sexual stimulation in both intensity and duration.

The information contained here is provided from a third-party publication as a courtesy to our visitors. It is not to be considered an endorsement by Eli Lilly and Company. Remember, only your doctor or other healthcare professional can determine if you have erectile dysfunction and if treatment is right for you.

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CIALIS is indicated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Important Safety Information for CIALIS^® (tadalafil)

CIALIS IS NOT FOR EVERYONE. Only your doctor can decide if CIALIS is right for you. Before taking CIALIS, ask if you're healthy enough for sexual activity and be sure to tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and all medications. Don't take CIALIS if you take nitrates as the combination can cause a sudden, unsafe drop in blood pressure.

CIALIS for daily use remains in your body for as long as you take it. Tell your doctor about all medications, especially if you take nitrates (often used for chest pain) or medicines for blood pressure, alpha blockers, antifungals, or HIV, so your doctor can be aware of potential drug interactions.

Don't drink alcohol in excess (to a level of intoxication) with CIALIS, as this may increase your chances of getting dizzy or lowering your blood pressure. CIALIS does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. The most common side effects with CIALIS were headache and upset stomach. Backache and muscle ache were also reported, sometimes with delayed onset.

As with any ED tablet, in the rare event of an erection lasting more than 4 hours, seek immediate medical help to avoid long-term injury.

In rare instances, men taking prescription ED tablets (including CIALIS) reported a sudden decrease or loss of vision or hearing (sometimes with ringing in the ears and dizziness). It's not possible to determine if these events are related directly to the ED tablets or to other factors. If you have a sudden decrease or loss of vision or hearing, stop taking any ED tablet, including CIALIS and call your doctor right away.

CIALIS is available by prescription only. For additional safety information, talk to your doctor about this medicine and see the full Patient Information.