Could You Benefit From Better Erections? Signs, Options & What to Expect

You could benefit from better erections if they're softer than they used to be, harder to keep, or take more effort to get, even if they still happen most of the time. These are often early signs of mild erectile dysfunction (ED), which is far more common than most men realize and very treatable.

ED isn't all-or-nothing. In one large study, about 52% of men ages 40 to 70 had some degree of ED, most often mild or moderate. Here's how to tell whether your erections have changed, how ED medication works, and what to expect if you try it.

• ED can be mild or occasional. Softer erections, losing an erection during sex, or needing more stimulation are common early signs.
• BlueChew's medications contain sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil, the active ingredients in Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra. In clinical trials, 67–89% of men taking these medications had improved erections.
• Research links better erections to more confidence and greater satisfaction for both partners.
• BlueChew's sublingual tablets typically start working within 15–30 minutes.
• A licensed provider reviews your health history to decide whether treatment is right for you.

You don't have to experience complete ED to notice changes. Common signs include:

• Erections that aren't as firm as they used to be
• Losing your erection during sex, especially when switching positions or putting on a condom
• Needing more stimulation or more time to get hard
• Fewer morning erections than you're used to
• Worrying about whether you'll stay hard, which can turn into performance anxiety

Many factors affect how erections happen, including circulation, hormones like testosterone, age, sleep, stress, and alcohol. Changes can be physical, psychological, or both.

BlueChew's compounded medications belong to a class of drugs called PDE5 inhibitors. During arousal, nerves in the penis release nitric oxide, which raises levels of a molecule called cGMP. cGMP relaxes the blood vessels so more blood can flow in. PDE5 inhibitors stop the enzyme that breaks cGMP down, so those blood vessels stay relaxed longer and it's easier to get and keep an erection.

These medications don't cause an erection on their own. You still need sexual stimulation. Depending on the formula, effects last 4–6 hours or up to 36 hours.

BlueChew offers seven formulas: SIL, VAR, TAD, DailyTAD, MAX, VMAX, and GOLD. GOLD also adds apomorphine and oxytocin to support arousal.

Firmer Erections

The most direct benefit is erection quality. In a 2023 study, around 70% of men using ED medications reported noticeable improvements in rigidity.

If you tend to lose your erection when using a condom, ED medication may help. Research on men with mild erection difficulties found these medications improved performance, including during protected sex.

Longer-Lasting Erections

Better blood flow can also make it easier to stay hard. In the same 2023 research, men taking sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil reported a 47% increase in how long their erections lasted.

More Confidence

When you're not worried about losing your erection, sex can feel more relaxed. Researchers found that 51% of men using these medications reported more self-confidence, and better erectile function has been linked to higher self-esteem.

A More Satisfied Partner

Better erections can benefit your partner, too. In a 2005 study, partners of men taking ED medication reported improvements in sexual desire, lubrication, and orgasm satisfaction. A healthy sex life is also linked to greater relationship satisfaction. If you're not sure how to bring it up, here's how to talk to your partner about ED.

Like all prescription medications, ED medications can cause side effects. Most are mild and short-lived.

Common side effects: headache, flushing, indigestion, back or muscle pain, and a runny or stuffy nose. GOLD can also cause nausea or dizziness.

Get medical help right away for: an erection lasting more than 4 hours, chest pain, a fast or irregular heartbeat, fainting, sudden vision or hearing changes, or trouble breathing.

Don't take ED medication if you use nitrates for chest pain or guanylate cyclase stimulators, because the combination can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. These medications may not be suitable for men who have recently had a heart attack or stroke, or who have certain heart, liver, kidney, or eye conditions. A provider reviews all of this in your online intake.

BlueChew's tablets are sublingual: you place one under your tongue and let it dissolve, no water needed. DailyTAD is the exception; it's a chewable you take once a day.

• Timing: take it 15–30 minutes before sexual activity. It typically starts working within 15–30 minutes.
• Duration: SIL and VAR last up to 4–6 hours. TAD, MAX, VMAX, and GOLD last up to 36 hours.
• Arousal still matters: you'll need sexual stimulation for it to work.

If your first formula isn't the right fit, it's easy to switch. See our side-by-side comparison or the best options for spontaneous date nights.

Medication works best alongside healthy habits. A heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, good sleep, limiting alcohol, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight all support the blood flow erections depend on. Other medical treatments, like vacuum devices, injections, or testosterone therapy for men with low testosterone, exist too, but they're more involved than oral or sublingual medication.

If erection changes came on suddenly, or you have heart symptoms, see a doctor in person.

Interested in getting your hands on an erectile dysfunction prescription? BlueChew has got you covered.

Select a plan, complete an online intake, and you're done. A medical provider will review your information and, if appropriate, prescribe your plan, which will be shipped directly to your door.

No doctor appointments or patient support charges make it a stress-free experience.

Plus, there's no commitment—you can easily cancel or switch plans anytime. Click here to explore all plan options for treatments at BlueChew.

How do I know if I could benefit from better erections? 

Common signs include erections that are softer than they used to be, losing your erection during sex or when putting on a condom, needing more stimulation to get hard, or worrying about staying hard. These can be early signs of mild ED.

Can BlueChew improve my erections? 

For most men with ED, yes. BlueChew's active ingredients improved erections in 67–89% of men in clinical trials. A provider reviews your health history to decide whether treatment is right for you.

How long does it take for BlueChew to work? 

BlueChew's sublingual tablets typically start working within 15–30 minutes. Sildenafil and vardenafil formulas last up to 4–6 hours, and tadalafil formulas last up to 36 hours.

Will BlueChew increase my sex drive? 

PDE5 inhibitors don't directly raise sex drive or testosterone. Some men feel more interested in sex when they're less worried about their erections. GOLD includes apomorphine, which acts on arousal pathways in the brain.

Can BlueChew help me last longer? 

It can help you stay hard longer. In research, men taking these medications reported a 47% increase in erection duration. It isn't designed to delay ejaculation.

Will my partner notice a difference? 

Possibly. Research found that partners of men taking ED medication reported improvements in desire, lubrication, and orgasm satisfaction.

Is mild ED worth treating? 

If erection changes bother you or affect your confidence or relationship, it's worth talking with a provider. ED can also be an early sign of heart disease, so a checkup is a good idea.