There have been few advances in the treatment of erectile dysfunction over the centuries, and it wasn't until 1998 that the world got its first prescription ED med: Viagra®. A few years later, Levitra® and Cialis® were approved by the FDA, ushering in a new era of great medications for guys.
While it’s hard to beat the effectiveness of modern day prescription ED medications like these, there are a few supplements that may be able help with the symptoms of erectile dysfunction, at least in one way or another. Keep reading to learn more about these potential ED supplements.
What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction is the inability to get or maintain an erection firm enough for sex, and most guys will experience ED at at one point or another. When it goes from being occasional, however, to regular or always, it could be a sign of an underlying medical condition. ED affects over 50% of men over the age of 40.
Erections are heavily reliant on proper blood flow throughout the body. In general, erectile difficulties are the result of issues related to the circulatory system. High blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes are some of the primary risk factors for erectile dysfunction, as well as obesity or being overweight. Several psychological factors can result in erectile dysfunction, too. Stress, anxiety, and depression are all commonly linked to erectile dysfunction.
Since there are so many potential causes for erectile dysfunction, it can be a difficult condition to treat. While prescription ED medications are often a great option, they aren’t 100% effective for every user, and some people aren't able to take them for medical reasons. In these cases, they may turn to natural supplements as an alternative option.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
This steroidal hormone is produced naturally by the adrenal glands located just above your kidneys. It can also be found in yams or soy products. DHEA functions as a precursor to the male and female sex hormones testosterone and estrogen.
Low levels of DHEA are associated with an increased risk of erectile dysfunction, although it’s not clear as to why. DHEA is the only hormone that seems to have this type of inverse relationship with erectile dysfunction, according to the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. Research has yet to definitively conclude that DHEA is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction, but it could be beneficial for men that are experiencing ED as a symptom of low testosterone.
Ginkgo Biloba
Derived from one of the oldest families of trees, ginkgo biloba has been involved in traditional medicine for centuries. It’s possible the ginkgo biloba can increase blood flow to the penis, helping to resolve the symptoms of erectile dysfunction. In one study, ginkgo biloba was found to be 84% effective when treating erectile dysfunction that was brought on as a side effect of taking an antidepressant medication.
Ginseng
Ginseng is one of the world’s most popular herbal medicines and has been used in Eastern medicine for centuries. Due to its antioxidant properties, ginseng was able to relieve oxidative stress in the blood vessels and tissues of the penises of rats in one study, improving erectile function. It’s also possible that ginseng can help with the creation of nitric oxide, a critical component of the erection process.
One research study on ginseng's effectiveness involved 86 men experiencing erectile dysfunction. They were given a 1,000 milligram ginseng extract over the course of eight weeks, and by the end of the treatment they all had reported significant improvements in erectile function compared to a control group receiving a placebo.
Another study produced similar results. 119 men were given either four 350 milligram tablets of ginseng berry or a placebo for eight weeks. By the end of the that time, those given the ginseng reported improved sexual function compared to those taking a placebo.
Horny Goat Weed
Also known as epimedium or barrenwort, horny goat weed has been used as an aphrodisiac for hundreds of years. Horny goat weed seems to work in a similar fashion to prescription ED medications, by inhibiting PDE5, a natural enzyme that slows down the erection process. The research is still lacking, but horny goat weed did improve the erectile functions of lab rats. The issue in the leap to humans, it seems, is the strength of this PDE5 inhibitor: it's only a fraction as potent as sildenafil (Viagra).
L-arginine
L-arginine is an amino acid that's naturally produced by the body and helps to create protein. Another valuable function for this amino acid is that it is a precursor for nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is released in the body during sexual arousal and stimulation. This compound helps blood vessels to expand and muscles to relax, resulting in an increase in blood flow through the arteries. While it’s possible for L-arginine to have this effect as a supplement, dosage would have to be extremely high.
Overall, L-arginine does not appear effective for erectile dysfunction by itself, according to limited data, but when coupled with other supplements it may be beneficial, in particular the supplement pycnogenol, which is extracted from the bark of the Pinus pinaster tree.
During one clinical study, pycnogenol was combined with L-arginine and given to 40 men experiencing erectile dysfunction over the course of three months. By the end of the experiment, over 92% of the men experienced a normal erection and reported no side effects.
L-Citrulline
This substance is classified as a non-essential amino acid, but the kidneys convert it into l-arginine as well as nitric oxide. By boosting the overall levels of these molecules, blood flow can benefit, resulting in improved erectile function.
One research study focused on 24 men that were experiencing erectile dysfunction. One group took 1.5 grams of L-citrulline daily over the course of four weeks and another group took a placebo. At the end of the month, 50% of the men taking the L-citrulline experienced improved erection hardness compared to just 8% of the group taking the placebo.
Propionyl-L-carnitine
Another amino acid naturally produced in the body, propionyl-l-carnitine, is commonly used to treat leg pain that is the result of poor blood circulation. Although propionyl-l-carnitine might not be an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction by itself, it appears effective when combined with sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra), especially in men with diabetes.
One study showed that after 24 weeks of treatments, the men receiving a combination of sildenafil and propionyl-l-carnitine experienced significantly improved sexual function compared to the group taking just one of the treatments or a control group.
Yohimbe
Before Viagra hit the market in the late 1990s, yohimbe was often recommended by professional healthcare providers as a potential treatment for erectile dysfunction. Extracted from a particular West and Central African tree, yohimbe has proven effective in treating sexual dysfunctions that are the side effects of certain medications.
During one study, researchers gave yohimbe to a group of people taking the antidepressant clomipramine, a serotonin re-uptake inhibitor commonly associated with ED. Each of the five patients that completed the experiment experienced improved sexual function. Yohimbe has yet to prove as effective in treating more general cases of erectile dysfunction, but it clearly has some connection to sexual function. Due to the potentially serious side effects, yohimbe is not recommended without doctor supervision.
Ways To Reduce Risk Factors
One of the most effective ways to treat erectile dysfunction is through lifestyle changes and prevention. Some of these changes include:
- Eating a healthy diet. Replacing salty, processed, or high-fat foods with more fruits and vegetables can improve cardiovascular and metabolic health.
- Get more exercise. A daily 30-minute brisk walk is enough to help boost cardiovascular strength and improve circulation.
- Quit smoking. The nicotine in tobacco constricts arteries and contributes to decreased circulation, including to the penis. Smokers are nearly twice as likely to experience erectile dysfunction as non smokers.
- Cut back on alcohol. One or two drinks may help you relax and improve sex drive, but too many can lead to erectile issues in the short term and in the long term.
The Takeaway: When it comes to natural supplements that can help improve erectile function, there are plenty to choose from. For the most part though, their effectiveness has yet to be definitively demonstrated in large research trials, and none of the above ED supplements are backed by an approval from the FDA.
When compared to the effects of prescription medications, none of these supplements come close to achieving the demonstrated success of prescription ED meds like sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis).
And now, these prescription meds are easier than ever to access thanks to telemedicine providers like Rex MD. Get started with a free online consultation of your own and, if prescribed, you could have ED meds delivered to your door. Fast and simple.
