Have any supplements been studied for erectile dysfunction?

    Last Updated: October 25, 2023

    Ginseng appears to have trivial effects on erectile function, but may improve men’s self-reported ability to have intercourse and their satisfaction with intercourse.[4] Saffron (Crocus sativus),[5] Tribulus terrestris,[6] Pycnogenol (Pinus pinaster),[7] Maca (Lepidium meyenii),[8] and Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia)[9] also appear to improve ED symptoms, though there are only a few studies to support each of these herbs.[10]

    Supplementing with L-Arginine (alone or combined with L-Citrulline, Pycnogenol, ornithine, or yohimbine) improves erectile function.[11] Yohimbine, especially when combined with L-Arginine, also improves ED symptoms, but doesn’t seem to increase sexual function.[12] L-Citrulline (a precursor to L-Arginine) has also been shown in one study to improve erection hardness in men with ED.[13]

    References

    1. ^Campbell N, Clark JP, Stecher VJ, Thomas JW, Callanan AC, Donnelly BF, Goldstein I, Kaminetsky JCAdulteration of purported herbal and natural sexual performance enhancement dietary supplements with synthetic phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors.J Sex Med.(2013-Jul)
    2. ^Akuamoa F, Bovee TFH, van Dam R, Maro L, Wesseling S, Vervoort J, Rietjens IMCM, Hoogenboom RLAPIdentification of phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors in herbal supplements using a tiered approach and associated consumer risk.Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess.(2022-Jun)
    3. ^Savaliya AA, Shah RP, Prasad B, Singh SScreening of Indian aphrodisiac ayurvedic/herbal healthcare products for adulteration with sildenafil, tadalafil and/or vardenafil using LC/PDA and extracted ion LC-MS/TOF.J Pharm Biomed Anal.(2010-Jul-08)
    4. ^Hye Won Lee, Myeong Soo Lee, Tae-Hun Kim, Terje Alraek, Chris Zaslawski, Jong Wook Kim, Du Geon MoonGinseng for erectile dysfunctionCochrane Database Syst Rev.(2021 Apr 19)
    5. ^Modabbernia A, Sohrabi H, Nasehi AA, Raisi F, Saroukhani S, Jamshidi A, Tabrizi M, Ashrafi M, Akhondzadeh SEffect of saffron on fluoxetine-induced sexual impairment in men: randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trialPsychopharmacology (Berl).(2012 Oct)
    6. ^Roaiah MF, El Khayat YI, GamalEl Din SF, Abd El Salam MAPilot Study on the Effect of Botanical Medicine (Tribulus terrestris) on Serum Testosterone Level and Erectile Function in Aging Males With Partial Androgen Deficiency (PADAM)J Sex Marital Ther.(2016 May 18)
    7. ^Trebaticky B, Muchova J, Ziaran S, Bujdak P, Breza J, Durackova ZNatural polyphenols improve erectile function and lipid profile in patients suffering from erectile dysfunction.Bratisl Lek Listy.(2019)
    8. ^Zenico T, Cicero AF, Valmorri L, Mercuriali M, Bercovich ESubjective effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) extract on well-being and sexual performances in patients with mild erectile dysfunction: a randomised, double-blind clinical trialAndrologia.(2009 Apr)
    9. ^Alice Erwig Leitão, Melissa Carvalho de Souza Vieira, Andreia Pelegrini, Edson Luiz da Silva, Adriana Coutinho de Azevedo GuimarãesA 6-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial to evaluate the effect of Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) and concurrent training on erectile function and testosterone levels in androgen deficiency of aging males (ADAM)Maturitas.(2021 Mar)
    10. ^Borrelli F, Colalto C, Delfino DV, Iriti M, Izzo AAHerbal Dietary Supplements for Erectile Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Drugs.(2018-Apr)
    11. ^Hye Chang Rhim, Min Seo Kim, Young-Jin Park, Woo Suk Choi, Hyoung Keun Park, Hyeong Gon Kim, Aram Kim, Sung Hyun PaickThe Potential Role of Arginine Supplements on Erectile Dysfunction: A Systemic Review and Meta-AnalysisJ Sex Med.(2019 Feb)
    12. ^Wibowo DNSA, Soebadi DM, Soebadi MAYohimbine as a treatment for erectile dysfunction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Turk J Urol.(2021-Nov)
    13. ^Luigi Cormio, Mario De Siati, Fabrizio Lorusso, Oscar Selvaggio, Lucia Mirabella, Francesca Sanguedolce, Giuseppe CarrieriOral L-citrulline supplementation improves erection hardness in men with mild erectile dysfunctionUrology.(2011 Jan)