Do herbal supplements work for erectile dysfunction?
Some herbal supplements may help erectile dysfunction, but the evidence is limited and often inconsistent. A small number of ingredients, such as Panax ginseng and L-arginine, have shown possible benefit in studies, but results are variable and generally less reliable than licensed prescription treatments used in UK practice.
Key points:
- Some supplements, including Panax ginseng, L-arginine and a few other ingredients, have shown modest benefits in some clinical trials.
- Many products marketed for erectile dysfunction have little good-quality evidence, and product strength or ingredients may vary between brands.
- Prescription medicines such as sildenafil and tadalafil have much stronger evidence for effectiveness and safety when clinically appropriate.
- Herbal products can cause side effects or interact with medicines, particularly treatments for blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes or anticoagulation.
This text has been fact-checked for accuracy by Sorin Romaniuc, Pharmacist at medino.