The Science Behind Libido Enhancers and Supplements

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 62(3), 215–222.

What is erectile dysfunction (ED)?

Relationship between age and erectile dysfunction diagnosis or treatment using real-world observational data in the United States. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 70(12), 1012. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study Examining the Hormonal and Vitality Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in Aging, Overweight Males. American Journal of Men's Health, 13(2). Similar postprandial glycemic reductions with escalation of dose and administration time of American ginseng in type 2 diabetes.

Specialized to men

Safety and Tolerability of Panax ginseng Root Extract: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Trial in Healthy Korean Volunteers. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 18(11), 1061-1069. A Prospective, Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Safety and Efficacy of a High-Concentration Full-Spectrum Extract of Ashwagandha Root in Reducing Stress and Anxiety in Adults. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 34(3), 255-262. Effect of oral administration of high-dose nitric oxide donor L-arginine in men with organic erectile dysfunction: results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Ginsenoside Rg1 improves male copulatory behavior via nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7(2 Pt 1), 743–750.

• Female sexual arousal disorder treatment includes vaginal lubricants and hormonal therapy.
• Flibanserin is approved to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women.
• Testosterone patches may be prescribed to increase female libido in some cases.
• Psychoeducation can help women address emotional factors affecting sexual function.
• Pelvic floor exercises strengthen muscles involved in sexual pleasure.
• Managing stress and mental health is crucial for improving female sexual function.
• Vaginal estrogen creams can improve lubrication and discomfort during sex.
• Counselling or sex therapy may address psychological barriers to sexual satisfaction.

Effects of Panax ginseng on glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) expression and spermatogenesis in rats. Phytotherapy Research: PTR, 25(2), 308–311. Niacin in the Central Nervous System: An Update of Biological Aspects and Clinical Applications. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(4). Structure/function analyses of human sex hormone-binding globulin: effects of zinc on steroid-binding specificity.

The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 85(2-5):195-200. Methylsulfonylmethane: Applications and Safety of a Novel Dietary Supplement. Efficacy and safety of pomegranate juice on improvement of erectile dysfunction in male patients with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study.

1. Some antidepressants

The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 36(5), 849–859. The effect of Emblica officinalis diet on lifespan, sexual behavior, and fitness characters in Drosophila melanogaster. Effect of vitamin D supplementation on testosterone levels in men. Hormone and Metabolic Research, 43(3), 223–225. Physical Activity to Improve Erectile Function: A Systematic Review of Intervention Studies.

Watch out for side effects

Lifestyle modifications and erectile dysfunction: what can be expected? Penile traction therapy and Peyronie’s disease: a state of art review of the current literature. Therapeutic Advances in Urology, 5(1), 59-65. The effect of (L-)carnitine on weight loss in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Modulation of American ginseng on brainstem GABAergic effects in rats. International Journal of Impotence Research, 19(6), 564–567. Role of homocysteine in the development of cardiovascular disease.

Future development

Medicinal plants as a potential source of Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors: A review. Erectogenic and Neurotrophic Effects of Icariin, a Purified Extract of Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium spp.) In Vitro and In Vivo. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7(4 Pt 1), 1518. The Journal of Urology, 168(5), 2070-2073. The effectiveness of zinc supplementation in men with isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

Other medications

Maca (L. meyenii) for improving sexual function: a systematic review. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 10, 44. Antidepressant-Like Behavioral, Anatomical, and Biochemical Effects of Petroleum Ether Extract from Maca (Lepidium meyenii) in Mice Exposed to Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress. Safety and efficacy of daily Revactin® in men with erectile dysfunction: a 3-month pilot study. The science of vacuum erectile device in penile rehabilitation after radical prostatectomy.

Find out if treatment is right for you.

Advances in Nutrition, 12(3), 744-765. Role of Hydrogen Sulfide in the Physiology of Penile Erection. Association between homocysteine, vitamin B12, folic acid and erectile dysfunction: a cross-sectional study in China. MacKay D., Verma S., & Srivastava S. (2022) Effect of a Polyherbal Dietary Supplement on Semen Characteristics: fildena 120 A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

The best place to get medications for ED

Improving BPH symptoms and sexual dysfunctions with a saw palmetto preparation? A Clinical Study Report VigRx Plus in Male Sexual Health. Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Sperm Parameters with a Focus on DNA Fragmentation: A Literature Synthesis. Efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine for benign prostatic hyperplasia: systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Effect of Cordyceps militaris supplementation on sperm production, sperm motility and hormones in Sprague-Dawley rats. Translational Andrology and Urology, 2(1), 61-66.

• Erectile dysfunction drugs like sildenafil improve blood flow to the penis.
• Testosterone therapy can boost libido and treat certain hormone-related issues.
• PDE5 inhibitors are a common treatment for male sexual dysfunction.
• Vidalista is used to treat erectile dysfunction and is available in various dosages.
• Topical anesthetics may help delay ejaculation in men.
• Antidepressants like SSRIs are sometimes prescribed for premature ejaculation.
• Libido-enhancing supplements often include herbs like ginseng or maca root.
• Regular exercise and a healthy diet can improve sexual performance and health.

Zinc status and serum testosterone levels of healthy adults. Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.), 12(5), 344–348.

Sperm quality in men is improved by supplementation with a combination of L-arginine, L-citrullin, roburins and Pycnogenol®. The Potential Role of Arginine Supplements on Erectile Dysfunction: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Buying oral erectile dysfunction medications online

If confidence is part of a mental angle affecting your sexual performance, this might help. That doesn’t mean you have to start training for a 10k immediately. And it doesn’t preclude you from utilizing any of the other methods we discuss here. The best thing you can do for ED is to combine diet and exercise with one or more of the products or methods included in our guide.36 To be clear at the start: penis pumps are not designed to increase your penis size. They’re actually mechanical devices designed to draw blood to the penis using vacuum pressure, resulting in an erection of sufficient hardness for penetrative sex.

Surgery and procedures

Some also have settings allowing you or a partner to use them for pleasure and foreplay. You can read all about the pumps we consider best in our 2024 guide. Men who have undergone radical prostatectomy in response to prostate cancer form a common group of men in penis pump research. These men often develop erectile dysfunction, and some experience a phenomenon in which the penis retracts slightly into the body, making it appear shorter. Studies suggest that penis pumps can both restore erectile function and prevent or reverse this size loss.47 However, this is not an indication that penis pumps will increase penis size; it’s a result specific to this group of men. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 16(2), 223–234. In honor of International Men’s Day, we whipped up a special edition of Ask the Pharmacist with our very own[...] Skip to content Commonly Asked Questions About Men’s Sexual HealthHow can we help you?

Risk factors for sexual dysfunction

If you’re hoping that male enhancement products will increase the size of your penis, a penis extender would be a far better option. Admittedly, they’re a lot more tedious to use than popping a couple of pills in the morning, with regimens involving several hours of daily wearing for several months in order to see growth. Still, they can actually produce results that no male enhancement pill can claim.37 Penis extenders gradually create microtears in the penile tissue, not unlike the muscular tears you create by lifting weights. Over time, those tears heal and add tissue to the penis. But with penis extension (unlike time at the gym), gains can be permanent.

How quickly do ED pills work?

You won’t see the ancillary benefits of boosted semen levels or increased energy and mental focus like you might with some male enhancement pills. Still, if the other results are what you’re after, these might be a great choice. Check out our guide to the best penis extender for more information. Innerbody uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. There are a wide variety of reasons for men to experience sexual problems. Common causes of erectile dysfunction (ED) include any combination of psychological, emotional, and physical conditions.

• Medication combined with psychotherapy can be effective for sexual health issues.
• Serotonin reuptake inhibitors are sometimes used off-label to treat sexual dysfunction.
• Side effects of sex medications can include headache, flushing, or nasal congestion.
• Proper diagnosis of underlying conditions is key to effective sexual medicine treatments.
• Drug interactions may affect the efficacy and safety of sexual medications.
• The stigma around sexual medicine can hinder individuals from seeking help.
• Emerging treatments include stem cell therapy for erectile tissue regeneration.
• Clinical trials are ongoing to find new solutions for sexual dysfunction.

Additionally, certain medications can lead to ED. Many men experience ED as they get older and their testosterone levels naturally decline. Testosterone plays a role in the desire for sex (libido), as well as their energy levels, mood, and ability to lose weight as you get older, which can all affect sexual desire and contribute to ED.

Low testosterone may be a contributing factor for erectile dysfunction (ED), but probably not the only cause. Research indicates that 1 in 3 men with ED also have low testosterone. Low testosterone can contribute to ED by lowering your libido (low sex drive), affecting your mood and stress levels, and causing fatigue and low energy.

• Sexual dysfunction can be a symptom of underlying health issues.
• Psychological factors like depression can reduce sexual desire.
• Medications for depression may cause sexual side effects.
• Lifestyle changes can improve mental health and sexual function.
• Support groups provide emotional help related to sexual health problems.
• Sexual therapy addresses emotional and relational challenges.
• Educational programs can dispel myths and promote healthy sexual practices.
• Partner communication is key to resolving many sexual medicine issues.

Persistent low testosterone may lead to decreased physical activity, weight gain, and lower self-confidence; all potential components of sexual dysfunction.

More men than ever before use erectile dysfunction medication to give their sex life a boost. But do you use it the right way?

Translational Andrology and Urology, 7(2), 266-273. Pro-sexual and androgen enhancing effects of Tribulus terrestris L.: Fact or Fiction. FDA warns consumers to avoid certain male enhancement and weight loss products sold through Amazon, eBay and other retailers due to hidden, potentially dangerous drug ingredients. Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study. Intracavernosal sildenafil facilitates penile erection independent of the nitric oxide pathway.

Key takeaways

Iron and Physical Activity: Bioavailability Enhancers, Properties of Black Pepper (Bioperine®) and Potential Applications. Effect of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors on blood pressure. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2019(12). Ashwagandha as a Unique Cause of Thyrotoxicosis Presenting With Supraventricular Tachycardia. Examining the Effects of Herbs on Testosterone Concentrations in Men: A Systematic Review.