Stay informed with expert insights on testosterone therapy, men's health, and performance optimization.
Long before you notice that your performance has declined, subtle changes might already be happening in your body. Your energy levels may be erratic; you may take longer to recover; and your erections might be a little less consistent. You may have even lost some confidence.
For some men, these alterations are not just due to the natural aging process. Sometimes, they reflect changes in your health, such as your vascular and cardiovascular health, hormones, and sleep patterns.
Tadalafil (brand name: Cialis) has drawn attention as a treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). Researchers continue to examine tadalafil's role in urinary function, circulatory support, and, in general, quality of life. Beyond treating erectile dysfunction and BPH, researchers are also exploring whether tadalafil may offer additional cardiovascular and vascular benefits. Early research has found promising associations with heart health, but more clinical trials are needed to determine whether tadalafil can actually provide these benefits (Jehle et al., 2024).
If you're interested in improving your long-term performance, it's important that you understand the benefits of tadalafil and whether it's a suitable treatment for you.
Tadalafil is a prescribed medication that falls into the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor class of drugs.
This means that it relaxes the blood vessels. It's best known as an erection-improving drug, but the same mechanism it uses to do that also supports urinary flow (Fahmy & Hess, 2024).
It is approved for treatment of:
Tadalafil is not a stimulant, and it does not increase libido; it simply enhances your natural response to sexual stimulation by improving circulation where needed (Haddad et al., 2015).
Erectile function and cardiovascular health are closely connected. Because the arteries supplying the penis are relatively small, changes in blood vessel health may sometimes become apparent as erectile dysfunction before cardiovascular symptoms develop (Montorsi et al., 2005).
The main benefit of tadalafil is that it helps men get and maintain an erection.
Sexual stimulation causes nitric oxide to be released, which increases cGMP, a chemical messenger. The cGMP relaxes the smooth muscle in the penile arteries, allowing more blood to flow into the penis. Tadalafil prolongs this process by slowing the breakdown of cGMP (Frajese et al., 2006). Tadalafil doesn't directly cause erections, it supports your body's ability to have and maintain an erection in response to sexual stimuli.
The flexibility that tadalafil provides is definitely one of the biggest drawcards for most men. In contrast to other ED medications, tadalafil stays effective for up to 36 hours (Frajese et al., 2006), which is why it's known as the "weekend pill." That doesn't mean it causes a 36-hour erection, but rather that it can remain effective in helping men achieve and maintain an erection within the 36-hour window.
The longer window of opportunity reduces the pressure and stress of performing within a time frame.
For some men, having confidence in their ability to achieve and maintain an erection can also help reduce performance anxiety. Tadalafil helps to break this cycle of uncertainty, which tends to lead to better relationship satisfaction and a sense of well-being. Some men have even reported increased sensitivity while using tadalafil, which may be because of the improved blood flow (Kim et al., 2023).
Heart disease and ED have many of the same risk factors, such as obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Some studies have found improvements in measures of endothelial function and arterial stiffness, which are indicators of how well blood vessels function. However, these findings do not mean tadalafil treats or prevents heart disease. Maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and managing blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors remain essential for heart health (Terentes-Printzios et al., 2021).
Some people prefer to take low-dose tadalafil every day, and studies have shown that following this protocol offers consistent improvement in erectile function. It's also well tolerated by most men.
These are the possible long-term benefits (Amano et al., 2017):
There has also been interest in looking into how tadalafil can improve circulation; however, studies are still ongoing. These potential benefits help explain why daily Cialis may be considered by men who prefer continuous coverage rather than on-demand treatment.
Tadalafil can be taken in two ways: as a once-daily medication or on demand. There is no "better" way to take it; some men prefer only taking it before sexual activity, while others prefer daily dosing because it maintains a consistent level of medication in the body and allows for greater spontaneity.
The best approach for you depends on whether you also have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) along with urinary symptoms and how frequently you experience ED, but most importantly, it depends on your lifestyle. The right tadalafil dosage depends on factors such as treatment goals, frequency of sexual activity, health history, and whether it's being taken daily or as needed.
Daily dosing is usually preferred because it means you don't have to plan sexual intimacy around your medication. When people speak about low-dose tadalafil, they're referring to a 2.5 mg or 5 mg pill that's taken once a day. It keeps a consistent level of medication in the body, and the lower levels may reduce some of the side effects.
Trusted brands, such as Feel30, offer daily-dose tadalafil with licensed-physician approval, including quick online medical reviews and at-home nurse visits.
A daily dose of tadalafil is also an approved treatment for symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia). By relaxing the smooth muscles of the bladder and prostate, it improves urine flow, difficulty starting urination, night-time trips to the bathroom, and frequent urination. And since men often get ED and BPH together, tadalafil can treat both conditions at the same time (Gacci et al., 2013).
Tadalafil is best known for treating ED, but, in fact, PDE5 enzymes are found all over the body. Because PDE-5 is found in blood vessels throughout the body, scientists have studied whether tadalafil can influence vascular function beyond the penis. Early research has found improvements in certain measures of endothelial function and blood-vessel health, although it's still unclear whether these effects translate into broader health benefits.
Tadalafil is not an anabolic (muscle-building) drug. It does not increase testosterone either. Its benefits arise from improved blood flow and the subsequent increase in the supply of oxygen and nutrients during exercise.
When tadalafil relaxes the blood vessels, it can also cause slightly low blood pressure. In most healthy men, the changes are small and have no consequences, but they do reveal tadalafil's effect on circulation. This same mechanism is the reason for the "pump" effect and endurance that many men notice when they take tadalafil. The increased blood flow may improve muscle fullness and vascularity (visible veins); however, more research is needed on this claim.
There is, however, emerging research suggesting that daily low-dose tadalafil could aid muscle tissue by increasing androgen receptor and insulin responses in the body and supporting lean muscle growth (Aversa et al., 2017).
Nearly all prescription medications have potential side effects, and tadalafil is generally well tolerated, but like any medication, it can cause side effects. (Frajese et al., 2006). The likelihood and severity of tadalafil side effects can vary depending on the dose, individual response, health conditions, and other medications.
Important: Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new medication.
Tadalafil has no direct effect on testosterone levels, but some men feel that it helps them feel more energetic and confident when their sexual function improves.
A healthy lifestyle supports testosterone levels, including good-quality sleep, a heavy-lifting fitness regimen, a diet full of healthy fats, stable weight, and supplements such as zinc and vitamin D (Abdel-Sater, 2024; Santos & Teixeira, 2019). But if you have clinically diagnosed hypogonadism (low testosterone), lifestyle measures alone may not be enough, and testosterone replacement therapy along with a healthy lifestyle might be worth exploring.
Read our guide on hypogonadism for more information.
There are several reasons you may be feeling better after taking tadalafil (Lee et al., 2016).
Clinical studies endorse tadalafil as a highly effective solution for erectile dysfunction for a wide range of patients, and they show that tadalafil:
Tadalafil should be thought of as just one important component of a bigger-picture health plan; it shouldn't be seen as a substitute for good habits. You get the best outcomes when your medication supports your healthy lifestyle, and not the other way around.
As men become more proactive about their health and well-being, the need for healthy, supportive tools has grown. Tadalafil is a tool you can use to your advantage (under medical supervision) to stay at your peak and ensure you're ready for any surprises life throws your way.
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