Tens of millions of American men experience erectile dysfunction (ED), a common condition. Although many of us associate ED with aging, men of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds can experience ED. In fact, erectile dysfunction is thought to affect 52 percent of men in the United States between the ages of 40 and 70.
The severity of ED varies from man to man. When you are aroused, you might find it challenging to maintain your hardness or simply become aware that you are not entirely hard. It might be difficult for you to get erect at all if you have a more severe case of ED.
The majority of the time, prescription drugs that increase blood flow to your penis are used to treat erectile dysfunction.
However, there are also natural erectile dysfunction treatment available, including self-made home remedies and herbal supplements.
The science behind the majority of these remedies is mixed, with some showing promise and others yielding negligible results, similar to many other natural alternatives to prescription medication.
If you struggle to achieve or maintain an erection, we’ve examined the most popular treatments and natural supplements for ED below to determine what works, what’s safe, and what might be worth considering.
Home Remedies for Erectile Dysfunction
Medications like sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra), and avanafil are the most efficient ways to treat erectile dysfunction (Stendra ). All of these drugs, which are PDE5 inhibitors, work by boosting blood flow to the erectile tissue in your penis, assisting you in achieving and maintaining an erection.
Modern ED medications are safe and effective, but many ED sufferers, understandably, prefer to first try natural remedies before turning to erectile dysfunction pills.
Most home remedies for ED can be sorted into two categories. The first consists of changes to your diet, lifestyle and habits. Most of these can and often will produce positive results, not only for your sexual performance but for your health and quality of life as a whole.
The second consists of herbs, minerals, and natural dietary supplements that are purported to improve blood flow and enhance sexual performance.
Herbs, Vitamins, Minerals and Natural Erection Supplements .Numerous herbs, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements are sold as ED home remedies and erectile dysfunction treatment. Numerous of these ingredients have been used for centuries as natural impotence remedies or to improve sexual performance.
Similar to many other home remedies, there is conflicting scientific support for the majority of these products. Some may help treat erectile dysfunction, whereas there is scant or no evidence to support the claims made for others.
Below, you’ll find a list of the most well-liked vitamins, minerals, supplements, and herbs for treating erectile dysfunction, along with any relevant scientific research.
Red Ginseng
East Asian plant roots known as red ginseng, or Panax ginseng, are frequently used as a herb in conventional erectile dysfunction pills. It is also widely advertised online as a natural substitute for sildenafil and other prescription ED drugs (the active ingredient in Viagra
Ginseng advocates also assert that it can increase energy levels, lower cholesterol, and lessen stress. These assertions, however, haven’t generally been the subject of extensive research. Using red ginseng as a treatment for erectile dysfunction, researchers examined seven studies in a 2008 review article that was published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. The studies, according to the researchers, offered hints that red ginseng might be successful in treating ED.
However, they also pointed out that the methodological quality of the studies was, on average, low. This refers to how well a study’s design was likely to prevent bias. In general, there is little good research supporting the use of red ginseng as a treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Red ginseng may help erectile dysfunction symptoms, but there isn’t enough reliable, unbiased scientific data to conclusively prove that it cures the condition.
Yohimbe
Yohimbe, another all-natural supplement, is produced from the bark of the Pausinystalia Yohimbe tree, which is indigenous to western and central Africa.
Yohimbe is promoted as a natural supplement that can help with erectile dysfunction, weight loss, and muscle growth while also increasing testosterone levels.
The scientific evidence supporting many of the claims made about Yohimbe and ED is mixed, much like the evidence for many other natural ED treatments (natural viagra alternatives).
Yohimbine, the active component in Yohimbe, was found to have “a positive effect in men with organic erectile dysfunction” in a study conducted in 2002.
However, there were only 18 men in the study’s test group, and nine of them claimed to have responded to the yohimbine.
The sample sizes of other studies on Yohimbe and erectile dysfunction are also small, which frequently leads to conclusions that are unreliable or statistically insignificant.
In summary, there isn’t a lot of recent research supporting Yohimbe as a treatment for ED, nor is it particularly thorough. However, it does demonstrate that some ED-affected men seem to respond to Yohimbe therapy.
If you’re considering Yohimbe as a natural treatment for ED, there are a few safety concerns you should be aware of.
Yohimbe is known to have contributed to conditions like tachycardia (excessively rapid heartbeat) and high blood pressure. It has also been linked to heart attacks and seizures.
Yohimbine cannot be marketed in the United States as an over-the-counter option for treating erectile dysfunction without FDA approval.
Yohimbe poses a number of health risks, and there is conflicting research on its efficacy in treating erectile dysfunction, making it difficult to endorse it as a viable option.
L-Arginine
L-arginine is an amino acid that occurs naturally. It’s one of many substances that go into making nitric oxide, a molecule that aids in dilation of blood vessels in the smooth muscle tissue of the penis and aids in erection.
L-arginine is occasionally promoted as a healthy substitute for drugs like sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra).
L-arginine research has produced conflicting results, with some studies suggesting it may be useful in the treatment of ED and others finding it ineffective.
For instance, numerous studies have revealed that L-arginine can enhance erections in men with ED
These studies are certainly fascinating, but it’s important to note that neither one used a sizable sample size.
However, a 1999 study published in Urologia Internationalis discovered that taking three 500mg oral L-arginine supplements daily had no greater effect than a placebo.
In conclusion, L-arginine’s effectiveness in treating erectile dysfunction is still up for debate. The scientific evidence to support it as a treatment for ED is undoubtedly inconclusive, though there is some evidence that it may help you manage your blood pressure.
Horny goat Weed (Epimedium)
Another well-known natural supplement that is promoted as a cure for erectile dysfunction is called epimedium, also known as horny goat weed.
Horny goat weed may inhibit PDE5, an enzyme that regulates blood flow to the penis, according to some evidence, but there isn’t any reliable scientific proof that it actually lessens erectile dysfunction symptoms.
Pomegranate Juice
Pomegranate juice is frequently recommended as a safe, all-natural treatment for ED on natural health blogs.
Pomegranate juice does have a number of health advantages, mostly because of its vitamin and antioxidant content, but there is very little proof that it can treat ED.
The majority of assertions regarding pomegranate juice and ED are based on research that was published in the International Journal of Impotence Research in 2007.
The juice company POM Wonderful, LLC provided funding for the study, which discovered a small, statistically insignificant improvement in erectile activity (out of 42 subjects with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction, 25 reported improvements after drinking the juice).
The study’s assertions regarding the advantages of pomegranate juice for erectile dysfunction were quickly refuted after it gained media attention.
Despite this, lists of natural products that can enhance erections still frequently include pomegranate juice, frequently in conjunction with other herbal treatments like beet juice and aloe vera.
While a daily glass won’t hurt you, there is no solid proof to support any claims that pomegranate juice is a safe alternative to Viagra or a successful treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Natural ED supplements’ risks
There are some real safety risks to DIY ED treatment that you should be aware of, despite your temptation to try a natural remedy even if you aren’t completely sure it will work.
The biggest worry is that ED is frequently a sign of more serious medical conditions like heart disease or urologic disorders.
You risk missing the warning signs of a more serious problem if you don’t seek medical advice from a health professional about ED.
Another issue is that the Food and Drug Administration does not examine or regulate herbal remedies and supplements (FDA).
This indicates that clinical trials haven’t always been sufficiently conducted to fully investigate their side effects, safety risks, and interactions.
“Natural” doesn’t always equate to “safe,” particularly if you take other medications or have other medical issues.
Because of this, it’s crucial to consult your doctor before using any form of treatment for ED, including herbal supplements and at-home remedies.
They’ll be able to review your medical background and inform you of the safety of these treatments for you.
The Bottom Line on Natural Remedies for ED
Men of all ages can be affected by the widespread medical condition known as erectile dysfunction. As a result, it’s simple to comprehend why so many men are eager to try DIY solutions and other natural approaches to enhancing blood flow and erectile function.
The evidence for popular natural remedies like rhodiola rosea, red ginseng, horny goat weed, and pomegranate juice isn’t very convincing, though some diet and lifestyle-focused changes, like losing weight and exercising, can help to treat erectile dysfunction.
Similar to supplements, a lot of ED supplements are supported by research that isn’t always as solid as it might first appear.
Erectile dysfunction is almost always curable. It is always advisable to discuss your symptoms with your healthcare provider if you have ED in order to determine the best course of action.
Currently, drugs like sildenafil, tadalafil, and Stendra are the most effective treatments for ED. These function by boosting blood flow to your penis, enabling you to become and maintain a hard state as needed.
You can arrange a free online consultation with a qualified, board-certified healthcare professional to learn more about your options if you’re interested in acting to treat your ED.