Viagra/Sildenafil with Pre-Existing Tinnitus

[maltese]

Hi all,

I'm experiencing performance-anxiety-related erectile dysfunction (ED) and was recommended using ED medication (e.g. low dose of Viagra/Sildenafil) a few times to rebuild my confidence.

I was wondering: is there anyone on the forum who takes Viagra/Sildenafil? Is there any change in your tinnitus?

I have noise-induced tinnitus. I know about the potential link with SSHL but frankly the ED is becoming a problem. I'm interested in other people's experiences so I can make an informed decision re: the risks.

I was only able to find a handful of related posts which I think is encouraging considering the number of people taking those drugs every day.

 

[Johan001]

Viagra caused my severe tinnitus, and I'm not the only victim of this drug.

Before I took it (I was pressured by an abusive narcissistic ex) - I had googled the side effects and saw hearing loss and tinnitus, but just like you, I thought "well, that's just a few cases given the number of people who take it". Next thing that happens is a severe suicidal tinnitus (zero tinnitus and hearing problems before that).

There are so many natural alternatives that work for ED long term.

Psychologically, an ED drug will not build your confidence, it will do exactly the opposite - so your problem will grow even bigger. I guarantee you that.

I'd say, if someone wants risking getting severe tinnitus, a stroke or even go blind, they should go ahead and take this toxic poison.

Please don't come near these drugs, it's not a life threatening situation where such risks are acceptable.

Consult with a knowledgeable herbalist on the alternatives, that'd both help you long term and not cause any side effects.

 

[Stretchsmith]

Agree with @Johan001 - I got severe tinnitus after using Cialis. Now in my third year of it. It worsened my ED since I now associate sex with nitric oxide production which is what Cialis does. Try something else!

 

[Wrfortiscue]

What about PGE1? I need a safe alternative. I like being able to knock lamps over lol.

 

[TomBradyGOAT]

No problems with Cialis for me. I mean um someone else I know. I don't know if Maca Root or Horny Goat Weed work in the same way. With performance anxiety maybe a therapist specialist in this domain might be more helpful then meds, if it is worsening your tinnitus.

 

[Johan001]

For the majority of guys ED is of psychological origin, so you actually want to look for something that'd target anxiety too, like Ashwagandha, for instance. And obviously, don't sleep with mean women If your partner makes you feel at ease, you won't need anything. If your partner disrespects you, then it's not worth getting intimate with that person in the first place.

If the problem is not psychological, I'd say, check stuff that would work locally, like, I don't know, vacuum pumps or something. Okay, your junk may fall off but at least your ears will be safe.

 

[TrevorSanders]

Bump. I want to start taking Cialis but I'm nervous that it will worsen my tinnitus.

 

[Wrfortiscue]

Bump. I want to start taking Cialis but I'm nervous that it will worsen my tinnitus.

I think there is a risk but maybe start on an extremely low dosage. I asked my audiologist about Viagra, who said to be careful as the ear can get a lot of blood flow which causes temporary hearing loss or tinnitus. I believe it as I would get headaches and nose stuffed probably from the blood flow. Once I started taking real low dosage the headaches stopped and I was still able to maintain a tree lol.

Without it I can't take a breather as I lose it.

 

[makeyourownluck]

If your partner makes you feel at ease, you won't need anything

This!!! I had a partner once who struggled with confidence and had done for years before I met him, whenever it happened, I would just pretend it didn't. Back to foreplay, which suited me (and I dare say the entire female sex) just fine, he got hard again, and so the cycle went on. After a few months it was no longer an issue.

On a side note, if you watch a lot of porn this can cause similar issues. I mean how's a girl supposed to compete with some of the stuff out there these days lol.

 

[Johan001]

This!!! I had a partner once who struggled with confidence and had done for years before I met him, whenever it happened, I would just pretend it didn't. Back to foreplay, which suited me (and I dare say the entire female sex) just fine, he got hard again, and so the cycle went on. After a few months it was no longer an issue.

On a side note, if you watch a lot of porn this can cause similar issues. I mean how's a girl supposed to compete with some of the stuff out there these days lol.

There's even a condition called porn induced ED - PIED. It's very real and logically explained - because of the abundance of porn available to hand these days, guys who watch it, get their brain conditioned to extreme stimulation, which is no way real. So once they are intimate with a real life partner, the brain doesn't receive the same amount of hormones stimulants and they are not excited anymore. This thing is easy to cure by just cutting off on porn

@TrevorSanders, @Wrfortiscue, guys, please don't touch this stuff, any ED med, you are playing Russian roulette with your tinnitus and the body as a whole (stroke etc). I understand the temptation but its really the same as someone on this forum asking people if its ok to go to a rave with existing tinnitus. There are plenty of other ways to get your mojo working, they take a bit longer but are safe. Shortcuts are tempting but they come with risky trade-offs. Talking from experience.

 

[Wrfortiscue]

This!!! I had a partner once who struggled with confidence and had done for years before I met him, whenever it happened, I would just pretend it didn't. Back to foreplay, which suited me (and I dare say the entire female sex) just fine, he got hard again, and so the cycle went on. After a few months it was no longer an issue.

On a side note, if you watch a lot of porn this can cause similar issues. I mean how's a girl supposed to compete with some of the stuff out there these days lol.

You're right, however in some cases, like mine, it's physical. I stand up and that's that lol.

 

[Johan001]

You're right, however in some cases, like mine, it's physical. I stand up and that's that lol.

I'm obviously not a urologist, but I believe in your case you'd need something that works directly on the source. I don't know of the full range of options, but things like pumps or whatever topical solutions come to mind. Chemical ED meds are aggressively ototoxic, even in low dosages. It's like loud noise, you may get away (or not) with a short exposure of, say, 100 dB, but if you keep adding those short exposures, it may one day burst. With ED meds we strain our blood vessels, we basically overpump them, albeit temporarily. The problem that we are here probably most concerned about are the tiny vessels in our inner ear. Sildenafil, Tadalafil or whatever "fils" don't differentiate where to expand the vessels, so while a person would get a desired expansion down under, up in the inner ear it'll expand too and God forbid, hit the auditory nerve.

So, while I personally very well understand the importance of a solution for ED and its impact on us, I'm convinced that this is not worth aggravated tinnitus.

 

[makeyourownluck]

You're right, however in some cases, like mine, it's physical. I stand up and that's that lol.

No doubt it can be physical as well. If low dose Viagra is not doing your ears any harm, while still allowing you to 'knock over lamps' LOL, then more power to ya!

I just wanted to reinforce the idea, for any guys who are struggling with this and feeling self conscious. That from a female's perspective, if she is enjoying herself, one way or another, it really doesn't matter. There are many roads to Rome lol!

There's even a condition called porn induced ED - PIED

I know, I've actually had a male friend confide in me about this. He showed me some of the stuff he was watching and my jaw nearly hit the floor. I didn't know where, or who I should be looking at, there was so much going on lol.

He cut down a bit, and moved away from the hardcore stuff, after a while he was fine. I think watching porn is healthy, but like everything, it is about moderation.

 

[Wrfortiscue]

I'm obviously not a urologist, but I believe in your case you'd need something that works directly on the source. I don't know of the full range of options, but things like pumps or whatever topical solutions come to mind. Chemical ED meds are aggressively ototoxic, even in low dosages. It's like loud noise, you may get away (or not) with a short exposure of, say, 100 dB, but if you keep adding those short exposures, it may one day burst. With ED meds we strain our blood vessels, we basically overpump them, albeit temporarily. The problem that we are here probably most concerned about are the tiny vessels in our inner ear. Sildenafil, Tadalafil or whatever "fils" don't differentiate where to expand the vessels, so while a person would get a desired expansion down under, up in the inner ear it'll expand too and God forbid, hit the auditory nerve.

So, while I personally very well understand the importance of a solution for ED and its impact on us, I'm convinced that this is not worth aggravated tinnitus.

Oh god that's terrible! I guess I'll add my wang to another useless thing I have lol. Damn.

 

[TrevorSanders]

There's even a condition called porn induced ED - PIED. It's very real and logically explained - because of the abundance of porn available to hand these days, guys who watch it, get their brain conditioned to extreme stimulation, which is no way real. So once they are intimate with a real life partner, the brain doesn't receive the same amount of hormones stimulants and they are not excited anymore. This thing is easy to cure by just cutting off on porn

@TrevorSanders, @Wrfortiscue, guys, please don't touch this stuff, any ED med, you are playing Russian roulette with your tinnitus and the body as a whole (stroke etc). I understand the temptation but its really the same as someone on this forum asking people if its ok to go to a rave with existing tinnitus. There are plenty of other ways to get your mojo working, they take a bit longer but are safe. Shortcuts are tempting but they come with risky trade-offs. Talking from experience.

I feel like the odds of worsening tinnitus from low dose Cialis are very rare though. I mean, everything we do is basically a Russian roulette for our ears.

 

[Johan001]

No doubt it can be physical as well. If low dose Viagra is not doing your ears any harm, while still allowing you to 'knock over lamps' LOL, then more power to ya!

I just wanted to reinforce the idea, for any guys who are struggling with this and feeling self conscious. That from a female's perspective, if she is enjoying herself, one way or another, it really doesn't matter. There are many roads to Rome lol!

I know, I've actually had a male friend confide in me about this. He showed me some of the stuff he was watching and my jaw nearly hit the floor. I didn't know where, or who I should be looking at, there was so much going on lol.

He cut down a bit, and moved away from the hardcore stuff, after a while he was fine. I think watching porn is healthy, but like everything, it is about moderation.

Fascinating how the saying "more is less" is well suitable here, isn't it?

Detaching the ego from the act is basically the key Mindfulness in its practical application

 

[Johan001]

I feel like the odds of worsening tinnitus from low dose Cialis are very rare though. I mean, everything we do is basically a Russian roulette for our ears.

I'd say not everything, but some stuff that we know is bad (ADs, certain antibiotics etc) we'd rather avoid. Also, don't forget the psychological affliction. You start taking this stuff, even in low doses, in a while you psychologically won't be able to get it up without the "fix". Even if everything is ok with you physically. Same "big pharma" agenda here - to hook you up. Imagine the compound damage to your body that all these low doses will do! There are some really good herbal combinations that do work. They won't get you a boner in 10 minutes straight away, but rather build up your system. Same as benzos vs. natural anti anxiety supplements.

Btw, I don't want to come across as preaching, but I suffered from these drugs and there are plenty of people on this forum and in general who suffered tinnitus and another nasty shit (including permanent blindness) from Cialis, Viagra and the likes. So I don't want anyone to go through this again. It's very tempting and addictive, probably like cocaine. People can argue, "a little bit of coke at a party can do no harm". It's drugs shit, that's all the same junk.

 

[Johan001]

Oh god that's terrible! I guess I'll add my wang to another useless thing I have lol. Damn.

Nooo! There's always something that will work, we just need to find it and fix it. Same as with tinnitus/ENT who'd in the best case prescribe you a benzo or an AD and send you home, a urologist will tell you - take Viagra when you have ED. They don't care about the root problem nor the side effects. The only person who can help you is yourself by searching and not giving up

 

[Wrfortiscue]

No doubt it can be physical as well. If low dose Viagra is not doing your ears any harm, while still allowing you to 'knock over lamps' LOL, then more power to ya!

I just wanted to reinforce the idea, for any guys who are struggling with this and feeling self conscious. That from a female's perspective, if she is enjoying herself, one way or another, it really doesn't matter. There are many roads to Rome lol!

I know, I've actually had a male friend confide in me about this. He showed me some of the stuff he was watching and my jaw nearly hit the floor. I didn't know where, or who I should be looking at, there was so much going on lol.

He cut down a bit, and moved away from the hardcore stuff, after a while he was fine. I think watching porn is healthy, but like everything, it is about moderation.

I get you and like the other poster said, Viagra can be addicting. I stopped taking it with my new tinnitus onset over a year ago. It's just nice because I could take a small dosage in the morning (doesn't increase libido) but let's say I wanted to be spontaneous with the wife and come up from behind and caress her, every now and then she would move her butt back to me and in those instances I could be ready to go.

Nowadays I'm knocking lamps over with my gut lol.

Lmao.

 

[Wrfortiscue]

Nooo! There's always something that will work, we just need to find it and fix it. Same as with tinnitus/ENT who'd in the best case prescribe you a benzo or an AD and send you home, a urologist will tell you - take Viagra when you have ED. They don't care about the root problem nor the side effects. The only person who can help you is yourself by searching and not giving up

Thanks for the kind words. I think I'm going to exercise as much as I can and get my libido going first. <3

 

[TrevorSanders]

I'd say not everything, but some stuff that we know is bad (ADs, certain antibiotics etc) we'd rather avoid. Also, don't forget the psychological affliction. You start taking this stuff, even in low doses, in a while you psychologically won't be able to get it up without the "fix". Even if everything is ok with you physically. Same "big pharma" agenda here - to hook you up. Imagine the compound damage to your body that all these low doses will do! There are some really good herbal combinations that do work. They won't get you a boner in 10 minutes straight away, but rather build up your system. Same as benzos vs. natural anti anxiety supplements.

Btw, I don't want to come across as preaching, but I suffered from these drugs and there are plenty of people on this forum and in general who suffered tinnitus and another nasty shit (including permanent blindness) from Cialis, Viagra and the likes. So I don't want anyone to go through this again. It's very tempting and addictive, probably like cocaine. People can argue, "a little bit of coke at a party can do no harm". It's drugs shit, that's all the same junk.

That's not how the drug works though. It doesn't mess with any receptors in your dick that will prevent you from getting it up after stopping the drug. Your ability to get an erection will just return to how it was before starting the drug. So idk, I'm still conflicted but I feel like the risk is very low.

 

[Johan001]

That's not how the drug works though. It doesn't mess with any receptors in your dick that will prevent you from getting it up after stopping the drug. Your ability to get an erection will just return to how it was before starting the drug. So idk, I'm still conflicted but I feel like the risk is very low.

Yes, that's correct, but I mean the psychological addiction. Imagine a guy takes a med every time, it works, but one day for whatever reason the pill is not available. He'd guaranteed start getting "what ifs" in his head, because he already has a predisposition to "what ifs", otherwise he wouldn't be taking pills. "Damn, I don't have a pill now, I wonder if I can get it up". Boom. No amount of logic will work for parasympathetic nervous system in these circumstances. That's how addiction works.

In the end it's up to you whether to take it or not, I just urge you to weigh up all the risks vs rewards and research healthier alternatives first.

 

[Johan001]

Thanks for the kind words. I think I'm going to exercise as much as I can and get my libido going first. <3

Yeah, motivation is the key. I recommend seeing it as a big project that you are in charge of.

- Research what exercises work for male libido. From my research it's weight lifting, as it increases testosterone production. Testosterone is primarily responsible for male libido.

- Having said that, check the testosterone levels, most guys these days I have low testosterone because of our lifestyle and diet.

- Check what diet you can adopt to help increase testosterone. A little trick that I tried and it works, is raw eggs before bed. Yolk stimulates testosterone production and testosterone is actively produced when we sleep.

- Avoid foods in plastic packages - certain plastics give off to food and it kills testosterone.

- Obviously alcohol, especially beer is a boner killer as it stimulates oestrogen production.

That's just a foundation. Not only for libido but for general well being. Men need testosterone, not only to reproduce but for other things as well.

Other than that, loads of herbal supplements, L-Arginine with Pycnogenol (forgot how to spell it ) comes to mind.

In severe cases, I believe there's some implants you can do directly on the "tool" or anything in that domain, like cock rings.

If Viagra worked for you in the past, in my opinion, it's not all that bad. Your body does work with the right amount of blood supplied. If it was totally dysfunctional, you wouldn't be getting those results. So there's lots of potential to improve.

 

[makeyourownluck]

I get you and like the other poster said, Viagra can be addicting. I stopped taking it with my new tinnitus onset over a year ago. It's just nice because I could take a small dosage in the morning (doesn't increase libido) but let's say I wanted to be spontaneous with the wife and come up from behind and caress her, every now and then she would move her butt back to me and in those instances I could be ready to go.

Nowadays I'm knocking lamps over with my gut lol.

Lmao.

Sorry, I didn't realise, I thought you were still able to take it. ED is linked with obesity, so working out is a good shout, and it increases testosterone (particularly weight training). Zinc also helps, apparently. Did you not mention you had low testosterone? That could have something to do with it.

I get if you're worried about the treatment though. Tinnitus is such a pain in the arse when it comes to medication. I'm afraid to take birth control, but also terrified of falling pregnant. Deciding whether to take an anti-inflammatory is like a full blown event for me now lol.

 

[Johan001]

Sorry, I didn't realise, I thought you were still able to take it. ED is linked with obesity, so working out is a good shout, and it increases testosterone (particularly weight training). Zinc also helps, apparently. Did you not mention you had low testosterone? That could have something to do with it.

I get if you're worried about the treatment though. Tinnitus is such a pain in the arse when it comes to medication. I'm afraid to take birth control, but also terrified of falling pregnant. Deciding whether to take an anti-inflammatory is like a full blown event for me now lol.

I am now a firm believer in natural / less chemical remedies. I used to think it was all placebo but it's not. I weened myself off ADs by using supplements and got a great quality sleep too. Even when I was down with covid it was herbal remedies that actually worked, in comparison to Paracetamol and Ibuprofen (which are ototoxic). It's too clear to be a coincidence and my conditions were too severe for it to be a placebo I am not aware of natural contraceptives, but there definitely are remedies for inflammation and such.

There's so much that we can fix in our bodies without pharma, it's fascinating. I only found it out when I was struck by tinnitus. Before that I was a very "quick fix - magic pill" kind of guy. How wrong I was!

 

[Wrfortiscue]

Sorry, I didn't realise, I thought you were still able to take it. ED is linked with obesity, so working out is a good shout, and it increases testosterone (particularly weight training). Zinc also helps, apparently. Did you not mention you had low testosterone? That could have something to do with it.

I get if you're worried about the treatment though. Tinnitus is such a pain in the arse when it comes to medication. I'm afraid to take birth control, but also terrified of falling pregnant. Deciding whether to take an anti-inflammatory is like a full blown event for me now lol.

I don't blame you for not taking birth control. I mean it's nice but has a whole bit of side effects.

 

[Wrfortiscue]

Yeah, motivation is the key. I recommend seeing it as a big project that you are in charge of.

- Research what exercises work for male libido. From my research it's weight lifting, as it increases testosterone production. Testosterone is primarily responsible for male libido.

- Having said that, check the testosterone levels, most guys these days I have low testosterone because of our lifestyle and diet.

- Check what diet you can adopt to help increase testosterone. A little trick that I tried and it works, is raw eggs before bed. Yolk stimulates testosterone production and testosterone is actively produced when we sleep.

- Avoid foods in plastic packages - certain plastics give off to food and it kills testosterone.

- Obviously alcohol, especially beer is a boner killer as it stimulates oestrogen production.

That's just a foundation. Not only for libido but for general well being. Men need testosterone, not only to reproduce but for other things as well.

Other than that, loads of herbal supplements, L-Arginine with Pycnogenol (forgot how to spell it ) comes to mind.

In severe cases, I believe there's some implants you can do directly on the "tool" or anything in that domain, like cock rings.

If Viagra worked for you in the past, in my opinion, it's not all that bad. Your body does work with the right amount of blood supplied. If it was totally dysfunctional, you wouldn't be getting those results. So there's lots of potential to improve.

Thanks. I'm going to try to lift and get back at my weight. Doctors constantly want me on TRT because of my low testosterone. @blamingeverything says he feels better so I may jump in soon haha.

 

[makeyourownluck]

I am now a firm believer in natural / less chemical remedies. I used to think it was all placebo but it's not. I weened myself off ADs by using supplements and got a great quality sleep too. Even when I was down with covid it was herbal remedies that actually worked, in comparison to Paracetamol and Ibuprofen (which are ototoxic). It's too clear to be a coincidence and my conditions were too severe for it to be a placebo I am not aware of natural contraceptives, but there definitely are remedies for inflammation and such.

There's so much that we can fix in our bodies without pharma, it's fascinating. I only found it out when I was struck by tinnitus. Before that I was a very "quick fix - magic pill" kind of guy. How wrong I was!

I was using a copper IUD for birth control, as it's the only non hormonal one, but it wasn't working for me at all. Complete nightmare.

Would you mind posting a message on my profile page listing these anti-inflammatory supplements? I am conscious of derailing the thread. I already take an evening primrose, vit D, grapeseed extract, bioflavonoids, UC-11 & magnesium.

I am well aware of the dangers of prescription drugs. I believe Doxycycline had a hand in my tinnitus. I also have an autoimmune condition and the drug they want me to take is known to cause hearing loss, and other similarly terrifying side effects. Obviously, I've refused to take it. I use medication very sparingly and only when I'm really desperate.

Just now I am considering starting systemic enzymes, but they are quite expensive.

 

[Joey72]

I've taken Viagra, low dose 25 mg, twice since I've had tinnitus. Both times it resulted in a slight tinnitus spike. I don't think I'll be doing that anymore though. I can handle a spike but if it didn't go away I would have a severe regret for having taken it. Just my 2 cents and good luck.

 

[Johan001]

…if it didn't go away I would have a severe regret for having taken it. Just my 2 cents and good luck.

My point exactly.