Does Erectile Dysfunction Respond to Vitamins and Supplements?
ED is a common condition whereby a man does not obtain or maintain an erection while having sex. It affects some 30 million men in the US alone and can be devastating to the individual’s self-image, relationships and general well-being. While there are many different cures ranging from medications, lifestyle modification, and therapy, some patients seek the power of vitamins and supplements as a solution. Today, let us discuss the evidence and efficacy of vitamins and supplements as a cure for erectile dysfunction.
Vitamins and supplements are nutritional products that contain vitamins, minerals, herbs or other food ingredients. They are commonly available and promoted as a natural alternative to prescription medication for all sorts of ailments, including ED. Vitamins and supplements are supposed to enhance ED, as they increase overall health and the supply of blood to the penis, which can help improve erectile function. Yet their use in treating ED is not established, and they have little scientific backing.
Among the most commonly prescribed ED supplements is L-arginine, an amino acid that is supposed to increase the circulation of blood by stimulating the body’s production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a signalling molecule that opens up the blood vessels so that more blood flows. The 17 studies reviewed in 2019 concluded that L-arginine appears to be beneficial for erectile function in ED men, but there is not enough evidence to support its use as a therapy. L-arginine could also be contraindicated by other medications and may result in nausea and diarrhoea, the review concluded.
Another popular supplement for ED is DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), a hormone that gets converted into testosterone and estrogen. Some research has demonstrated the efficacy of DHEA for erectile function, though these findings are contradictory. A 2018 study found little evidence for the use of DHEA for ED. We should also remember that DHEA can have negative side effects, such as acne, hair loss, mood and behavioural changes.
Another nutrient that has been associated with erectile function is vitamin D. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for maintaining your bones, immune system, and general health. In addition, some research suggests that vitamin D deficiency can be associated with ED (though the evidence is mixed). In one study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, ED men had less vitamin D than non-ED men. But the research didn’t establish a direct causal link between vitamin D and ED.
In 2017, a new study reported that vitamin D deficiencies in men increased their risk of developing ED and that vitamin D injections improved erectile function. But this study was small, with some caveats, and it will take more research to figure out whether vitamin D has any impact on ED.
Other supplements offered as remedies for ED include ginseng, ginkgo biloba, and yohimbine. Yet there is hardly any evidence that they work, and they can have side effects and interact with other drugs.
Ginseng: Ginseng, an herbal supplement, has been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years to treat different diseases such as ED. Ginsenosides, ginseng’s active compounds, can reduce ED symptoms by stimulating the production of nitric oxide, which stimulates the flow of blood to the penis. But ginseng’s effectiveness in treating ED is not widely documented and its studies have often been small and substandard. Aside from that, ginseng is linked to insomnia, headaches, and stomach cramps, and it interacts with warfarin, a blood-thinning drug.
Ginkgo Biloba: Ginkgo biloba, which comes from the maidenhair tree, has been used to treat several ailments, including ED. Ginkgo biloba could alleviate ED symptoms by increasing blood supply to the penis and increasing nitric oxide production. But there’s little evidence that it’s useful for ED, and the studies are all small and unremarkable. Ginkgo biloba can have adverse effects, including headaches, gastric problems and skin rash, and it may interfere with blood thinners such as aspirin and warfarin.
Yohimbine: Yohimbine is an alkaloid obtained from the bark of the yohimbe tree, which has been used to combat ED for decades. Yohimbine could alleviate ED symptoms by increasing the amount of blood flowing to the penis and triggering production of nitric oxide. But there’s little evidence that it works for ED, and studies of it are few and far between. The adverse reactions of yohimbine include anxiety, headaches, high blood pressure, heartrate, and interactions with medications including clonidine, an anti-hypertensive agent.
It’s important to understand that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate vitamins and supplements like they do prescription drugs. The companies making these products don’t have to demonstrate their safety and effectiveness before they can sell them, and the FDA intervenes only when reports of side-effects are made. This unregulated environment means that these products are not always pristine, and you risk taking supplements containing dangerous or harmful ingredients.
By contrast, the FDA has already cleared several prescription drugs for ED. These medications – including sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra) – all work by increasing blood supply to the penis and are safe and effective for the vast majority of ED men. They also carry the weight of science behind them and have been tested to the extreme.
Conclusion:
While the vitamins and supplements sound like a naturally and attractive approach to ED treatment, in fact, there is little scientific evidence for their use. Of course, there are few studies out there, and the findings are conflicting, so it’s difficult to draw any certain conclusions. In addition, such products are not FDA-approved, and it is possible to extract dangerous or ineffective substances. ED prescription medications, by contrast, were very thoroughly studied and backed up by evidence. It, therefore, implies that ED sufferers should always speak with their healthcare providers before taking vitamins or supplements, and consider FDA-approved medications as first-line treatment.
