How Does Tadalafil Work?
The scientific name for tadalafil is phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor. This means that tadalafil works by supressing (inhibiting) the action of a chemical phosphodiesterase type 5 in your body.
An erection is achieved when muscles in the blood vessels of the penis relax and the vessels widen allowing more blood to flow to the penis. The penis becomes erect (like an inflated balloon). This process is triggered during sexual arousal when the signals from the nervous system initiate the release of certain chemicals in the penis. One of them is cyclic GMP, the chemical messenger that relaxes muscles and widens the vessels in the penis. Phosphodiesterase type 5 breaks down Cyclic GMP, interfering with developing of erection. Tadalafil suppresses the action of phosphodiesterase type 5, and prevents the breakdown of cyclic GMP, which allows better blood flow to vessels in the penis and keeps the penis erect.
It is recommended to take tadalafil 1 hour before sexual activity, but the effect lasts longer, in most cases even 12 hours and more.
It is important to remember that tadalafil is not a substitute for sexual stimulation or desire. Tadalafil works only when cyclic GMP messengers are present in the body, or in other words, when a man is sexually aroused.