Erectile dysfunction is something we have heard a lot about in recent years and it is a legitimate problem for many men. Men who enjoy diving may be wondering whether or not they can dive with erectile dysfunction. The good news is that as far as the condition itself is concerned, there are no adverse effects of diving with erectile dysfunction. It is perfectly safe. However, this is not necessarily the case when it comes to diving while taking any of the medications that are available to treat erectile dysfunction.
As with any type of medication, those that are used to treat erectile dysfunction come with their own set of side effects and these side effects must be taken into consideration before diving as they may increase the risk of injury to the diver. There are a number of popular medications for treating erectile dysfunction, including Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra. These are all prescription drugs and these drugs are known as PDE5 inhibitors, which mean they work by actually increasing blood flow to certain areas of the penis. The first of these medications was developed in the UK and was actually created in order to treat heart disease and high blood pressure. However, the men who were taking it in the clinical trials were reporting the enhancement of erections and so the drug was re-marketed as a treatment for erectile dysfunction.
The most concerning side effect of erectile dysfunction medications occur when the individual is also taking medication to dilate blood vessels such as nitro-glycerine. The two medications when combined can cause a dangerous dip in blood pressure. Aside from this, there are a number of other mild side effects that can also cause concern for the diver such as headaches, nausea and vomiting, and nasal congestion. Individuals who take the drug Cialis may suffer from backaches and or muscle aches. While these side effects are considered mild to moderate, they are generally not a major concern for divers. Other problems that may result from taking erectile dysfunction medicines include difficulty equalizing the ears and the sinuses which can cause barotraumas in those areas of the body. If these medicines are taken just prior to a dive, divers may experience muscle aches, bloating, nausea, and gas in the form of burping.
The most important thing for any diver to do, with this medication or any other, is to determine what, if any, side effects are associated with its use before diving. Being familiar with the side effects of such medications enables divers to determine if they are at an increased risk of injury and if the applicable side effects can mimic the signs and symptoms of decompression illness, making a diagnosis more difficult. It is important to note that, while studies are still ongoing, there seems to be a chance that taking medication for erectile dysfunction may actually reduce a diver’s risk of getting decompression illness. This is due to the fact that the drug causes an increase in the levels of nitric oxide in the blood, which is a chemical that relaxes the muscles of the penis, allowing the blood vessels to dilate and blood flow to increase. The increased presence of nitric oxide seems to have the effect of reducing the amount of gas bubbles that form in the body during a dive, and it is believed that this in turn can reduce the risk of getting decompression illness.
Divers should also be aware that Cialis has a longer half-life than either Viagra or Levitra. This means that is stays in the system longer than the other two. Viagra and Levitra remain in a diver’s body for approximately one day, while Cialis may be present for up to a week. It is important that whenever you are taking medication for anything that you be fully aware of how that medication affects you. Taking medication for erectile dysfunction is no different. If you are unsure of whether or not you should be diving while taking medication for erectile dysfunction, then consult your regular physician or a dive doctor. The most important thing is to dive safely so that you will be able to continue to have fun both in and out of the water.