Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

There are several factors to consider. Most often the color comes from bile moving through the gut too quickly, but hidden food dyes, iron or antibiotics, infections like gastroenteritis or bile acid diarrhea, and rarely gallbladder or liver issues can also do it; see below for details. Seek care if it lasts more than 3 days or with severe pain, fever, blood, or dehydration, and in the meantime hydrate, track your diet, consider a short course of probiotics, or use loperamide as directed; the next steps and tests your doctor might use are outlined below.

Green stool is usually harmless and most often comes from bile moving through the gut too quickly, green foods or dyes, or medications and supplements; sometimes infections or IBS play a role. There are several factors to consider, so see below to understand more. Watch for red flags like fever, severe pain, dehydration, blood or black stools, weight loss, jaundice, or symptoms lasting beyond 48 to 72 hours, and seek care if they occur or if the color persists despite diet changes. For complete details and next steps such as diet adjustments, hydration, probiotics, and when to call a doctor, see below.

Orange stool is usually caused by foods or dyes high in beta carotene, certain medications or supplements, or faster gut transit from diarrhea, but it can occasionally point to bile duct or gallbladder issues, liver disease, or malabsorption. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more. If the color lasts longer than 48 to 72 hours or comes with pain, weight loss, persistent diarrhea, fever, dehydration, or jaundice, contact a clinician. See below for what to check in your recent diet and medications, specific red flags, and the diagnostic tests and treatments that may guide your next steps.

Yellow stool is usually a temporary change from diet or faster gut transit, but it can also signal malabsorption, infections like Giardia, or reduced bile flow from liver or gallbladder issues. There are several factors to consider, and important warning signs like persistent pale or yellow stools, abdominal pain, weight loss, fever, jaundice, or blood can change your next steps; see below for the full list, tests doctors use, and specific treatments.

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.

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.

Vitamin D supports hormones and blood flow, and low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are linked to a higher risk and greater severity of ED; testing makes sense if there are deficiency symptoms or risk factors, or if ED persists after lifestyle and psychological factors are addressed. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more. If levels are low, supplements can help as part of a broader plan, but this is not a standalone cure and ED can signal cardiovascular or metabolic disease, so coordinate with a clinician. See below for target levels, dosing ranges, lifestyle steps, and specific red flags that should prompt medical care.

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 deficiency can contribute to erectile dysfunction by lowering testosterone, impairing nitric oxide mediated blood flow, and raising oxidative stress; optimizing zinc through diet and, if needed, cautious supplementation may help. There are several factors to consider, including who is at risk, how to test, safe dosing and copper balance, drug interactions, and when to seek urgent care; see the complete guidance below to inform your next steps with a healthcare professional.

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.

Zinc is an often overlooked factor in erectile function because it supports testosterone production, nitric oxide, and vascular health; deficiency can lower libido and weaken erections, so correcting low zinc through diet or modest supplementation may help. There are several factors to consider. See below for who is at risk, safe dosing and food sources, potential side effects, how zinc fits with lifestyle changes, and when ED could signal a condition that needs medical evaluation.

ACV may modestly support erectile function after 65 by improving insulin sensitivity, weight control, and circulation, but it is not a cure and there are several factors to consider. See below for important limitations and how your overall health and medications could change the risks and benefits. Key interactions to know: higher risk of low blood sugar with metformin, insulin, or sulfonylureas; low potassium and possible digoxin toxicity when combined with diuretics; more stomach irritation with aspirin or clopidogrel; and while ACV does not directly affect sildenafil or tadalafil, the usual nitrate plus PDE5 warning still applies. Start with small diluted doses and talk to your clinician; dosing tips, monitoring advice, and red flags that should prompt urgent care are outlined below.

Beet juice may support erections by boosting nitric oxide through the dietary nitrate to nitrite to NO pathway driven by oral bacteria, which relaxes blood vessels and improves penile blood flow. Evidence is promising but limited; common use is 70 to 250 mL taken 2 to 3 hours before activity or daily for several weeks, while considering blood pressure lowering, interactions with nitrates or PDE5 inhibitors, kidney stone risk from oxalates, and avoiding antiseptic mouthwash around dosing. There are several factors to consider, and important dosing, who-benefits, and safety details are explained below.

L-citrulline may modestly help mild erectile dysfunction by increasing nitric oxide and blood flow, and most adults tolerate 1.5 to 3 g daily with minor stomach upset. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more. Older men should be cautious if they have low blood pressure or heart disease, use nitrates, antihypertensives, PDE5 drugs or blood thinners, or have kidney or liver disease, and should monitor for dizziness, chest pain, vision changes or swelling and speak with a clinician before starting.

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.

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.

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.