Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

Ashwagandha may help mild, stress-related erection problems by lowering cortisol and sympathetic drive through HPA-axis modulation, supporting testosterone, and possibly improving nitric oxide signaling, but direct, high-quality trials on erectile outcomes are still limited. There are several factors to consider, including small short studies, variable product quality, potential side effects and interactions, and the need to pair any 2 to 3 month standardized regimen with lifestyle care and medical evaluation; see details below for evidence, dosing, safety, and when to seek professional help.

Yes, magnesium often makes you poop by acting as an osmotic laxative that draws water into the intestines; common forms like citrate, hydroxide, sulfate, and oxide can work within about 30 minutes to 12 hours depending on the dose. There are several factors to consider, including starting with the lowest effective dose, potential side effects like diarrhea and cramps, staying hydrated, and special cautions for people with kidney or heart issues, during pregnancy, in children, and older adults; see the complete details and red flags to watch for below.

Folic acid can support erections by lowering homocysteine and preserving nitric oxide availability, and small trials show modest improvements in erectile function, especially in men with elevated homocysteine or when combined with PDE5 inhibitors. There are several factors to consider; see below for optimal dosing and duration (typically 1 to 5 mg daily for 8 to 12 weeks), when to check folate, B12, and homocysteine, potential B12 masking and drug interactions, lifestyle steps, and warning signs that warrant medical evaluation.

Most healthy adults digest and pass food in about 24 to 72 hours, though it can be as quick as 12 hours or as slow as several days; typical stage times are roughly 2 to 4 hours in the stomach, 4 to 6 hours in the small intestine, and 12 to 48 hours in the colon. There are several factors to consider, including diet, hydration, activity, medications, and medical conditions, plus warning signs like persistent pain, blood in stool, or unexplained weight loss that may change what you should do next, so see the complete details below.

Normal bowel-movement frequency ranges from three times a day to three times a week, and stool consistency, ease, and predictability matter as much as how often you go. There are several factors to consider, and red flags like blood, severe or persistent pain, black stools, or sudden lasting changes should prompt medical care; see below for details, self-care tips, and guidance on next steps.

Systematic reviews show Korean red ginseng can modestly improve erectile function versus placebo, based on 7 randomized trials with about 370 men, using 600 to 3,000 mg daily for 4 to 12 weeks, with benefits often appearing by weeks 4 to 8. It is generally well tolerated, with mild headache, insomnia, or digestive upset reported, but interactions and product quality matter; there are several factors to consider, so see the complete details below to guide dosing, safety, and next steps with your clinician.

After 65, doctors urge you to watch five stool clues: color changes like black tarry or bright red, consistency and frequency shifts, new shape or size such as pencil-thin stools, greasy floating stool that hints at fat malabsorption, and any pain, straining, urgency or leakage. Some signs need prompt care, including blood, black stools, persistent diarrhea or constipation, severe pain, dehydration, or unexplained weight loss; there are several factors and actionable steps that can affect your next move, so see the complete guidance below for important details.

Low vitamin D is linked to worse erectile function, likely via impaired blood vessel health, nitric oxide signaling, hormones, and inflammation, and studies show men with ED often have lower vitamin D while repletion can improve endothelial function. There are several factors to consider, including checking your level, safe ways to optimize it, and when ED may signal cardiovascular or metabolic disease; see below for full details and next-step guidance.

There are several factors to consider. Maca may modestly boost libido after 6 to 12 weeks, but evidence that it improves erection firmness in men over 65 is limited, so it is best used with proven treatments and lifestyle changes. Key cautions and next steps, including ruling out cardiovascular or metabolic causes, reviewing thyroid and hormone-sensitive conditions, possible medication interactions, dosing, and when to seek care, are outlined below.

Maca root shows modest evidence for boosting libido and may indirectly help erections without raising testosterone, with typical use 1.5 to 3 g daily over 6 to 12 weeks alongside healthy lifestyle habits. There are several factors to consider, including product quality and safety cautions for thyroid issues, anticoagulants, liver disease, and hormone sensitive cancers; see details below to decide next steps and when to talk with a doctor. If ED persists for more than 3 months, medical evaluation is important since it can signal cardiovascular or metabolic conditions; more guidance is provided below.

Human studies on maca root for ED show hints of benefit but are inconclusive: one placebo-controlled trial increased libido without measuring erections, and one open-label study in mild ED found self-reported improvements without a control group. Important caveats about effectiveness, safety, dosing, and how it compares to approved treatments could affect your next steps; see below for the complete details.

Magnesium may support erections by improving blood flow, endothelial nitric oxide, muscle relaxation, and hormone balance, but there are no high quality clinical trials proving it treats ED, the best dose or form is unknown, and it is not a standalone cure. Focus on magnesium rich foods, consider a modest supplement if intake is low, monitor for diarrhea, and talk to a clinician since ED can signal cardiovascular or metabolic disease; there are several factors to consider, and important dosing, safety, and next step details are explained below.

Magnesium can modestly support erections after 65 by relaxing blood vessels and improving nitric oxide, but heart rhythm and kidney health are crucial; older adults and anyone on diuretics, digoxin, or anti-arrhythmics should confirm electrolytes and eGFR before use. Diet first, then consider 200 to 300 mg elemental magnesium daily from citrate or glycinate under clinician guidance, and seek care for palpitations, dizziness, or signs of kidney trouble. There are several factors to consider. See below for details on interactions, dosing limits up to 400 to 420 mg from all sources, CKD monitoring to avoid hypermagnesemia, symptoms of excess, and non supplement steps that could change your next best move.

Magnesium can support erectile function by improving blood flow, reducing inflammation, and modestly supporting testosterone; in a large U.S. analysis, men with the highest intake had about 41% lower odds of ED. There are several factors to consider, including best food sources, supplement forms and doses, and when to speak with a doctor first. Magnesium is not a cure and works best alongside exercise, weight management, stress reduction, and evaluation for issues like heart disease or diabetes. See the complete details below to understand benefits, safety limits, red flags that require medical care, and practical next steps.

Niacin may modestly improve erections for some men with dyslipidemia or endothelial dysfunction and mild to moderate ED by supporting vascular health and nitric oxide, but evidence is limited and it is not helpful for many cases of severe ED. There are several factors to consider, and individual risks and benefits vary. Side effects can include flushing and itching, stomach upset, higher blood sugar and uric acid, liver injury, arrhythmias, and small increases in bleeding and infections, so consult a clinician first and see below for who might benefit or avoid it, safer dosing and monitoring, and how to combine with other ED treatments.

There are several factors to consider. Niacin can improve cholesterol and endothelial function that supports circulation, which may indirectly help erections, but evidence in ED is limited and it is not a stand-alone cure; see details below. For adults over 65, safety and monitoring are key, as flushing, liver, glucose, and uric acid changes and statin interactions can occur, and dosing plus which tests to check are outlined below to help you decide next steps with your clinician.

Yohimbe may offer only modest ED benefit and can raise blood pressure and heart rate, worsen heart or liver disease, and interact with common medications, so do not start it after 65 without a doctor’s guidance and appropriate testing. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more. For safer next steps like cardiac screening, lab checks, medication review, dosing if approved, daily blood pressure monitoring, and urgent warning signs, see the complete guidance below.

Folic acid can be worth trying for some men over 65 with erectile dysfunction, especially when ED is mild to moderate, homocysteine is elevated, or vascular disease is present; evidence suggests modest benefits when used alongside standard treatments. See below to understand more. A common plan is 5 mg daily for 8 to 12 weeks while also optimizing cardiovascular health and checking B12 levels and medication interactions, with guidance from your doctor. There are several factors to consider, and key details that could change your next steps are outlined below.

Over 65 and considering ashwagandha for ED? There are several factors to consider; it may lower stress and modestly support testosterone and blood flow, but evidence in older adults is limited, so benefits vary. Avoid or use only with medical guidance if you have thyroid disease, autoimmune disorders or hormone-sensitive cancers, significant liver disease, low blood pressure, take sedatives or blood pressure, thyroid, diabetes, or immunosuppressive medications, or have surgery planned; see the complete details below, including dosing, interactions, lab monitoring, and red flags that should prompt urgent care.

There are several factors to consider: in men over 65, tongkat ali can help erectile function but may pose risks to the liver, cause blood pressure fluctuations that interact with heart medicines, and has uncertain effects on the prostate. For safer use, work with your doctor, choose a quality standardized extract, start low, and monitor liver enzymes, home blood pressure, and PSA; see the complete guidance below for exact dosing, monitoring timelines, red flags, and who should avoid it.

Korean red ginseng can modestly improve erection firmness, response time, and confidence in many men over 65, with clinical trials showing benefits after 6 to 8 weeks at about 600 to 1,200 mg taken two to three times daily and mostly mild side effects. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more. Key risks include interactions that may reduce warfarin’s effect, alter blood pressure, or lower blood sugar when combined with diabetes drugs, plus possible insomnia or hormone related concerns, so review your medications with a clinician and use a standardized, third party tested product; dosing, monitoring tips, lifestyle add ons, and red flag symptoms that should prompt urgent care are outlined below.

Ashwagandha may help erections for some men by reducing stress and cortisol and modestly supporting testosterone and mood, with randomized trials showing significant stress reductions and improvements in male reproductive markers. There are several factors to consider, including proper dosing, safety issues like thyroid or autoimmune disease, possible drug interactions, and the need to rule out cardiovascular or hormonal causes if ED persists. See the complete answer below for specifics that could guide your next steps.

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.

Korean red ginseng, the “energy root,” can deliver modest, clinically meaningful improvements for mild to moderate erectile dysfunction in randomized trials, but results are slower and generally milder than standard medications. There are several factors to consider; see below for dosing ranges, product quality, expected timelines, safety and interaction risks (like blood thinners and diabetes medicines), and guidance on when to involve a clinician or combine with PDE5 inhibitors.

Yohimbe (yohimbine) can significantly raise heart rate and blood pressure, triggering palpitations and anxiety, and it is especially risky if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, liver problems, or take interacting medications. There are several factors to consider, including dosing, monitoring, who should avoid it, safer alternatives, and when to seek care; see below for complete details that could 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.