Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

Folic acid, often called the blood flow vitamin, can modestly support erections by lowering homocysteine and boosting nitric oxide, with the clearest benefit in men who are folate deficient or have high homocysteine, but it is not a cure. Doses studied are 1 to 5 mg daily for 4 to 12 weeks and it may work best alongside standard ED treatments; check B12 and talk to your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, epilepsy, or a cancer history due to possible interactions. There are several factors to consider. See below for the full evidence, who benefits most, safety cautions, and practical next steps.

L-arginine, a nitric oxide precursor, is the ED supplement most likely to help, with modest improvements seen in studies when taken daily at higher doses around 3 to 6 grams, especially in mild to moderate cases. Results vary by person and are generally less robust than prescription PDE-5 medications. There are several factors to consider, including proper dosing, slower onset, side effects like stomach upset or low blood pressure, and important interactions such as with nitrates or blood pressure and diabetes drugs. See below for who might benefit, how to use it safely, and when to speak with a clinician.

Nitric oxide supplements for ED, like L-arginine, L-citrulline, and beetroot, can modestly help mild to moderate symptoms by improving blood flow, with combination formulas sometimes working better than single ingredients, though they are generally less potent than prescription PDE5 inhibitors. There are several factors to consider. See below for dosing and timing tips, evidence on combos like L-arginine with pycnogenol, side effects such as headache or low blood pressure, key interactions with nitrates, PDE5 inhibitors, and alpha blockers, plus heart and liver cautions and when to seek care, since these details can shape your next steps.

Niacin, or vitamin B3, may improve blood flow and erections by boosting nitric oxide, improving endothelial function, and supporting healthier cholesterol; early studies suggest potential benefits, particularly when high cholesterol and ED coexist. There are several factors to consider, including dose and formulation, side effects like flushing and possible liver or glucose changes, and the need to assess cardiovascular causes of ED. See the complete details below for guidance on monitoring, combining with ED medicines, and deciding next steps with your clinician.

Tongkat Ali may modestly help erectile function and libido based on limited short human trials, typically at 200 to 400 mg of standardized extract for 8 to 12 weeks. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more, including how evidence quality and product standardization affect results. Safety red flags include liver or kidney disease, prostate conditions, cardiovascular issues, mood or sleep changes, medication interactions, and risks from adulterated or low quality supplements. Discuss with a clinician first and use it only as an add-on to proven ED treatments; key details that could guide your next steps are outlined below.

Tongkat Ali may help some men with erectile dysfunction by raising testosterone and lowering stress hormones, with a placebo-controlled study showing improved erection quality after about 8 to 12 weeks on a standardized extract at 200 to 300 mg daily. See details below. There are several factors to consider, including product quality, dosing, side effects and drug interactions, and the possibility that ED signals cardiovascular or metabolic disease; for complete guidance and next steps to discuss with your clinician, review the information below.

Research shows men with low vitamin D have higher rates of erectile dysfunction, and a randomized trial found that correcting deficiency improved erectile function in some men; there are several factors to consider, including vascular, inflammatory, and hormonal pathways. See more details below. Before starting supplements, check your 25(OH)D level and talk with a clinician about safe dosing and monitoring, since ED can also signal cardiovascular or metabolic disease; the complete guidance on who benefits most, safety, and next step recommendations is below.

Vitamin D can support erectile function in men over 65 by improving endothelial nitric oxide and blood flow; consider supplementing if a 25-hydroxyvitamin D blood test is low, using 50,000 IU D3 weekly for 8–12 weeks when deficient or 1,000–2,000 IU daily if insufficient, with a target of 40–60 ng/mL. There are several factors to consider, including cardiovascular risks, medications, and toxicity limits, so recheck levels after 3–4 months, avoid more than 10,000 IU daily without medical supervision, and pair vitamin D with lifestyle and hormone evaluation; see below for important details that could shape your next steps.

Ashwagandha may help when anxiety is the main driver of low arousal by lowering stress and cortisol, which can indirectly support genital blood flow and sensitivity, but direct evidence in women is limited. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more. If you try it, use a quality standardized extract and pair it with stress management and communication, and review dosing, timing, safety, interactions, and red flags that warrant medical care in the detailed guidance below.

Folic acid may support erectile function by lowering homocysteine and improving blood-vessel health, but ED is often really about heart health and can precede cardiovascular disease by 2 to 3 years. Large trials show folic acid reduces stroke risk and slightly lowers heart events, yet ED-specific evidence is limited and the best next step is a medical evaluation and broader cardiovascular care; there are several factors to consider, so see below for important details that can guide your next steps.

Maca root can modestly boost sexual desire but is not proven to treat erectile dysfunction; short-term use appears generally safe for healthy adults, with mild effects like stomach upset or insomnia, and most studies used 1.5 to 3 g daily. For women considering it to support a partner’s ED or their own sexual well-being, evidence in women is limited and it should not replace medical evaluation if ED persists. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand who should avoid maca such as pregnancy, hormone-sensitive or thyroid conditions, how to start at 500 mg and titrate up, possible interactions, how long to try, and when ED symptoms should prompt a doctor visit.

Magnesium deficiency can contribute to erectile dysfunction by reducing healthy blood flow, nerve function, and insulin sensitivity, so correcting a true deficiency may help but it is not a standalone cure. There are several factors to consider. See below for who is at risk, how to test levels, food first strategies, safe supplement forms and dosing up to 350 mg elemental magnesium daily, possible drug interactions, and other causes of ED like cardiovascular, hormonal, psychological, and lifestyle factors that may change your next steps with a clinician.

Yes, niacin can cause flushing and medication issues; flushing is very common, and evidence for using niacin to improve sexual arousal in women is minimal. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more. Niacin can raise liver enzymes and blood sugar and may interact with statins and blood pressure medicines, so talk with a clinician before using it. See the complete guidance below for ways to reduce flushing, who should avoid niacin, and warning signs that mean you should stop and seek care.

Nitric oxide supplements for ED can help some men with mild to moderate symptoms by improving blood flow, but they are not a guaranteed fix and can cause blood pressure drops; mixing them with nitrates or PDE5 medicines can be dangerous, and quality and long-term safety are uncertain. There are several factors to consider, including his cardiovascular risk, current medications, and expectations, and a medical evaluation is important because ED can signal heart disease. See below for complete guidance on who might benefit or should avoid these supplements, how to integrate them with lifestyle and medical care, what side effects to monitor, and when to seek urgent help.

Korean red ginseng may modestly improve mild to moderate erectile function over 8 to 12 weeks, but results vary and depend on the dose used, standardized product quality, and the person's overall health. There are several factors to consider, including possible insomnia or stomach upset, blood sugar and blood pressure changes, interactions with blood thinners and diabetes or hypertension medicines, and red flags that warrant medical care. Review the complete guidance below to understand what to expect, what to watch for, and how partners can help.

Tongkat ali may modestly support erections and libido, with early evidence suggesting it is generally heart neutral at 200 to 400 mg daily and may ease stress to improve sleep and mood; high doses can rarely cause insomnia or irritability. There are several factors to consider, especially if he has heart or liver disease or takes medications. See below for important details on evidence limits, interactions, dosing and product quality, monitoring, and red flags to guide your next steps.

Yohimbe has little proven benefit for women and is often viewed as a higher risk supplement due to variable potency, increases in blood pressure and heart rate, anxiety, and serious drug interactions. There are several factors to consider, including who should avoid it, side effects, interactions, dosing cautions, product quality, and safer alternatives; review the complete guidance below and speak with a healthcare provider before using it.

There are several factors to consider. Zinc supports testosterone and nitric oxide, but research suggests supplements help mainly when a true deficiency exists and are not a proven fix for most cases of ED. Before trying it, assess deficiency risks and other causes of ED, focus on zinc-rich foods first, and avoid high doses that can cause harm; key details on safe amounts, product quality, and when to see a doctor are outlined below.

Yohimbe and yohimbine may offer modest help for psychogenic erectile dysfunction, but experts warn they can raise blood pressure and heart rate, trigger palpitations, and pose serious risks for people with hypertension, heart disease, anxiety disorders, or interacting medications. There are several factors to consider, including dosing, product variability, side effects, and safer alternatives like PDE5 inhibitors, lifestyle changes, and therapy. See below for complete details that could change your next steps.

Zinc can support erections after 65 if you are truly deficient by aiding testosterone and nitric oxide, but taking extra when levels are normal is not proven to fix ED and can be harmful. Discuss testing before supplementing, aim near 11 mg daily and avoid more than the 40 mg upper limit, since excess zinc can trigger copper deficiency, drug interactions, and other issues; there are several factors to consider, and key dosing details, food sources, cautions, and next steps are outlined below.

Royal honey products marketed for ED have prompted FDA warnings because many contain hidden prescription drugs like sildenafil or tadalafil, creating unpredictable dosing, dangerous interactions with heart medications, and potential liver stress. Safer choices include seeing a clinician, using FDA approved ED medications, and considering lifestyle or counseling options; see below for important details, red flags that need urgent care, and step by step guidance.

Not a miracle fix: ACV has no direct clinical evidence for improving erections, though it may modestly help underlying drivers like blood sugar, weight, and blood pressure. There are several factors to consider; see below for who should avoid it, safe dosing and timing, potential risks like enamel erosion, GI upset, and medication interactions, plus proven treatments and when to see a doctor.

There are several factors to consider: there is no clinical proof that apple cider vinegar treats ED, though it may modestly help via better blood sugar control, weight management, and cardiovascular health; if he tries it, dilute it and watch for tooth enamel erosion, reflux, and interactions with diabetes medications or diuretics. See below for details. Because ED can signal heart disease, diabetes, or hormonal issues, sudden or persistent symptoms should be evaluated by a clinician. See below for safe dosing tips, red flags, and evidence based options that could change the next steps.

There is no direct clinical evidence that apple cider vinegar treats erectile dysfunction; at best it may modestly improve related metabolic factors like insulin sensitivity, weight, and blood pressure, but benefits for erections remain unproven. Because ACV can erode teeth, irritate the gut, and interact with medicines, use only diluted 1 to 2 tablespoons daily and prioritize proven options like lifestyle changes and FDA-approved ED treatments, and seek medical care since ED can signal cardiovascular disease; key risks, safer alternatives, and next steps are explained below.

There are several factors to consider. Beet juice raises nitric oxide and can lower blood pressure and improve circulation, so it may modestly support erections in some men, but direct studies in erectile dysfunction are limited and it is not a substitute for proven treatments. Safety cautions with blood pressure or blood thinner medicines, kidney stone risk, how to use it, and when to see a clinician for persistent symptoms are detailed below and could influence your next steps.

Beet juice after 65 can support erections by boosting nitric oxide and blood flow, but it can also lower blood pressure and may increase oxalate load that contributes to kidney stones in susceptible people. There are several factors to consider, see below to understand more. If you have low blood pressure or use antihypertensive medicines, monitor your readings and start with small amounts; if you have a history of stones, hydrate, pair with dietary calcium, and limit portions, with more practical dosing, timing, and safety details provided below.

Evidence is limited: small, short trials and preclinical data suggest only modest benefit for mild ED, often requiring weeks of daily use and generally weaker than prescription PDE5 medicines. Side effects can include dizziness, low blood pressure, palpitations, and interactions with blood pressure medicines, anticoagulants, and nitrates, and product quality is a major concern due to undeclared PDE5 adulterants and variable icariin content. There are several factors to consider for safety, product choice, and when to seek care; see important details and next steps below. Talk with your clinician before trying it.

There are several factors to consider; early research suggests horny goat weed’s icariin may offer only mild, inconsistent ED benefits, and results are less reliable than prescription PDE5 inhibitors. See below to understand more, including safety risks and interactions, who should avoid it, how to choose and dose a product, signs that warrant a medical evaluation, and evidence-based alternatives that could be better next steps.

Watermelon can modestly support erections by providing L-citrulline that converts to nitric oxide, but research directly testing watermelon is limited and typical servings are unlikely to match the effectiveness of prescription ED medicines. There are several factors to consider, such as realistic dosing, blood sugar or kidney issues, and warning signs that ED may reflect cardiovascular disease; see below for the complete answer and guidance on next steps in your healthcare journey.

L-arginine can modestly improve erections in some men with mild to moderate ED by boosting nitric oxide, with small studies including 5 g daily for 6 weeks reporting benefits. Safety matters, since it can cause gastrointestinal upset and lower blood pressure and may interact with nitrates, PDE5 inhibitors, and conditions like herpes, asthma, or kidney and liver disease. There are several factors to consider; see below for dosing, who might benefit most, potential interactions, and when to seek care.