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Can vitamins treat erectile dysfunction?

Vitamins B9, D, B3, C, and L-arginine are some supplements for erectile dysfunction

Vitamin B9 | Vitamin D | Vitamin B3 | Vitamin C | L-arginine | Other supplements for erectile dysfunction | | How to find quality ED supplements | When to take vitamins for ED | Other ED remedies

Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects 30 million men in the U.S. every year. If you’ve had difficulty achieving or maintaining a penile erection, you’ve probably seen the ads for herbal remedies and supplements promising to boost sexual performance and wondered, “Could they work for me?” The most effective and proven treatments are prescription medications (like Viagra), and lifestyle changes such as weight loss and reduced alcohol consumption. However, if supplements are more your thing, there are some vitamins for erectile dysfunction that you can try.

RELATED: ED treatments and medications

Do vitamins really treat erectile dysfunction?

Bear in mind that while there is some evidence that vitamins could help erectile dysfunction, it’s generally agreed that they don’t treat or cure the condition with the same efficacy as prescription medications.

What is the best vitamin for erectile dysfunction?

Vitamin, herb, or supplement How it may help ED More information
Vitamin B9 (folic acid) A lack of folic acid may cause high homocysteine levels, which can impair erectile function. Supplementing with folic acid may help with erections. This study suggests that folic acid can help ED but should be used along with a PDE5 inhibitor like Viagra. Learn more
Vitamin D A significant number of men with ED have a vitamin D deficiency, so vitamin D supplementation may help improve ED  Learn more
Vitamin B3 (niacin) One study showed that niacin may help improve erectile function in patients with moderate to severe ED who also have high cholesterol. Learn more
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) It supports the biochemical pathways leading to nitric oxide release, which is essential in increasing blood flow and achieving erections. Learn more
L-arginine Studies on L-arginine are limited and have small sample sizes but found that L-arginine may help ED Learn more

Vitamin B9 (folic acid)

Studies looking at heart disease have shown that daily folic acid supplements can reduce the hardening of arteries and allow for better circulation.

Because cardiovascular disease can be a major risk factor in sexual dysfunction, some experts believe that improving heart function with vitamin B9 could also help improve erectile function. After all, good blood flow and circulation to the penis are essential for achieving and maintaining an erection.

A 2014 study noted that men with ED had lower levels of folic acid. A more recent 2020 study concluded that men who took folic acid daily had improvements in their ED. However, the study did mention that although folic acid helped improve symptoms, it should be used along with a prescription phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor such as Viagra. 

Vitamin B9 dosage for ED

A daily dose of folic acid may also act as a mood stabilizer and may help both stress-related erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation during sexual intercourse. However, more research is necessary to really understand its efficacy. Consult a healthcare provider for the correct vitamin B9 dosage for ED.

Vitamin B9-rich foods

Foods that are great sources of B9 include:

  • Green, leafy vegetables like spinach and kale
  • Legumes, such as beans, peas, and lentils
  • Avocados
  • Asparagus
  • Eggs
  • Citrus fruits
  • Beets
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Bananas
  • Broccoli
  • Papaya
  • Cereals, rice, and pasta

Vitamin B9 side effects

Be mindful that side effects of consuming too much folic acid can include gas and bloating, restless sleep, and depression. Be sure to take the proper dose in order to avoid these side effects.

Vitamin D

Multiple studies have shown that many people who experience erectile dysfunction are also vitamin D deficient. A 2018 study suggested that achieving healthy levels of vitamin D could improve testosterone levels, thereby increasing erectile function.

A 2020 meta-analysis, which looks at many studies, concluded that severe forms of ED are associated with a vitamin D deficiency. Another 2020 review of studies agrees, stating, “Evidence showed that vitamin-D is needed for an adequate erectile function. Briefly, vitamin-D is crucial for a better healthy body and sexual activity.”

Additional research is needed to understand how effective vitamin D is when used to treat ED. But, even if a vitamin deficiency does not directly cause erectile dysfunction, there are plenty of benefits to a vitamin D supplement. If you have low vitamin D levels, upping your vitamin D intake can help foster a healthy immune system and support bone health.

Vitamin D dosage for ED

Check with your healthcare provider regarding your vitamin D levels. Levels of vitamin D can be easily checked with a blood test. Based on the results, your healthcare provider will recommend an appropriate dosage for you. Some people need a higher dosage, for example a once-weekly dose of 50,000 IU (international units), while others will take a smaller daily dose.

Vitamin D-rich foods

Aside from getting enough sunlight (fun fact: vitamin D is also known as the “sunshine vitamin”) other good sources of vitamin D are:

  • Fatty fish and seafood like salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna, shrimp, and oysters
  • Cheese
  • Egg yolks
  • Mushrooms
  • Vitamin-D fortified foods including cow’s milk, nut milks, orange juice, and yogurt

Vitamin D side effects

Although vitamin D toxicity is rare, if you have too much, you may experience extreme side effects like kidney damage and heart rhythm issues.

Vitamin B3 (niacin)

Vitamin B3, otherwise known as niacin, is one of the few vitamins with promising research some efficacy in boosting erectile function. That said, the sample size of the existing studies has been very small. Research with larger sample sizes is required.

Niacin is known to help decrease high cholesterol levels, and may also help reduce blood pressure, both of which can contribute to impotence. One study concluded that in patients with ED and high cholesterol, niacin helped improve erectile function. If these health problems are the underlying cause of your ED, niacin may help increase circulation to your penis so you can achieve an erection.

Vitamin B3 dosage for ED

In the above-mentioned study, patients took up to 1,500 mg of niacin per day. However, this is a very high dose, and a lower dose, such as 500 mg, may be sufficient. Ask your healthcare provider for a dosage recommendation. Also, niacin is known to cause flushing. You may want to look for a sustained-release or flush-free form of niacin (however, the flush-free form may not be as well absorbed). 

Vitamin B3-rich foods

To naturally up your intake of vitamin B3, try eating more:

  • Liver
  • Chicken breast
  • Tuna
  • Turkey
  • Avocado
  • Green peas
  • Mushrooms

Vitamin B3 side effects

The most common side effect of niacin is flushing of the skin. Starting at a lower dose and slowly increasing the dose may help; some people find that taking aspirin (if tolerated) helps with the flushing as well. Other adverse side effects of consuming too much niacin include blurred vision, nausea, liver issues, and gout.

RELATED: Niacin benefits and side effects

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

There is no evidence that vitamin C is effective at directly improving erectile dysfunction. In order to get an erection, your body needs to release nitric oxide. Vitamin C does not release nitric oxide directly, but it can support the biochemical pathways necessary for its release (along with folic acid, calcium, and vitamin E). A prescription phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, like Viagra, may enhance the benefits of vitamin C. 

There are many other reported benefits of getting enough vitamin C through vitamin C supplements and/or diet. It’s necessary for the growth, repair, and development of all body tissues. In other words, the risk of trying it is low. At the very least, it will help boost your immune system.

Vitamin C dosage for ED

There is no standard dosage of vitamin C for ED. A general rule of thumb is 90 mg per day for adult men, which you can easily get in your diet (or with a vitamin if you prefer). You can ask your healthcare provider to recommend a dose appropriate for you. 

Vitamin C-rich foods

Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of vitamin C. You can easily reach the recommended daily value by eating a red pepper, drinking ¾ of a cup of orange juice, or eating 1 ½ oranges daily. If you’d like to incorporate more vitamin C into your diet, try eating:

  • Cantaloupe 
  • Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
  • Citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit
  • Watermelon
  • Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower
  • Cabbage
  • Spinach and leafy greens

Vitamin C side effects

Vitamin C side effects can include headache, nausea, vomiting, and flushing. Taking too much vitamin C can increase the risk of kidney stones. 

L-arginine

Nitric oxide dilates blood vessels, improving blood flow and circulation. L-arginine is a naturally occurring amino acid that helps increase levels of nitric oxide. Increasing L-arginine with supplements will increase nitric oxide, which may help lead to increased blood flow and better erections.

 A 1999 study found L-arginine to be helpful for ED in men with low levels of nitric oxide in their system—however, this study looked at very high doses of L-arginine. A more recent 2019 review of studies concluded that L-arginine may help ED, but that studies are limited, and sample sizes were small in the studies that are available.

L-arginine dosage for ED

There is no recommended dosage for L-arginine use in ED. If you purchase an L-arginine supplement, you can follow the instructions on the label. Do not exceed the recommended dosage. You can also talk to your healthcare provider about dosage.

L-arginine-rich foods

Foods that are high in L-arginine include:

  • Pumpkin or squash seeds 
  • Watermelon 
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Meat, including turkey, chicken, pork, and beef
  • Legumes
  • Seaweed

L-arginine-rich side effects

Side effects of L-arginine may include stomach issues (diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain), gout, allergies, worsening of asthma, and low blood pressure.

Other vitamins, supplements, and herbs for erectile dysfunction

Here is a brief overview of other vitamins or supplements for erectile dysfunction. Consult your healthcare provider before using any supplements. 

  1. L-carnitine: A 2004 study looked at men with diabetes who did not respond to Viagra treatment alone. When L-carnitine was added to Viagra treatment, the men in the study had better results than when Viagra was used alone.
  2. Tribulus terrestris (TT): The jury is still out on this one—a very small study in 2014 of 30 men concluded that this supplement was not more effective than placebo (inactive medication). However, a 2017 study (where 86 men took TT and 86 took placebo) of men with mild to moderate ED found that after 12 weeks, those who took TT had a “significant improvement in sexual function” compared to those who took a placebo pill. 
  3. Citrulline: A 2011 study found citrulline to improve ED symptoms, although citrulline was less effective than PDE5 inhibitors. 
  4. Vitamin E and ginseng: A 2019 study found that men who took a supplement that contained both vitamin E and ginseng for six weeks had improved erectile function. Ginseng is not safe for everyone, and it does have some drug interactions, so consult your healthcare provider before using.

How to find quality vitamins and supplements

To avoid complications, always seek professional medical advice from your doctor before taking any new medications, dietary supplements, or vitamins, especially if they claim to be a miracle remedy, like “herbal Viagra.” These remedies may interact with your medications or exacerbate pre-existing health conditions.

Although companies that make vitamins or supplements are required to follow good manufacturing processes, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve dietary supplements or their claims. What’s more, the FDA warns that their labs have found almost 300 supplements that promote sexual health actually contain “undisclosed drug ingredients,” which could even include a combination of undisclosed ingredients, or very high doses. Either way, they could be dangerous. 

When trying to find the best vitamins and supplements, turn to a reputable source. The FDA recommends that consumers should be wary of products that:

  • Advertise fast results (within 40 minutes)
  • Are sold as a single serving
  • Are advertised as an alternative to an approved prescription drug
  • Have unsolicited advertising or spam 
  • Have labels and instructions written in another language

Look for vitamins that are certified by ConsumerLab.com, NSF International, or U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP).

RELATED: Save on vitamins and meds with a SingleCare prescription discount card

When should I try vitamins instead of ED medication?

Many men use a combination of vitamins and medications to treat ED. In a 2021 SingleCare survey, 63% of respondents reported taking medication and 31% reported taking vitamins, supplements, or herbs for ED. 

There is limited evidence and a lack of clinical trials to prove the effectiveness of vitamins in treating erectile dysfunction, especially when compared to prescription medications like Viagra or Revatio (sildenafil), Levitra (vardenafil), Cialis (tadalafil), and Stendra (avanafil).

Still, there are times when your doctor may suggest trying these vitamins; for example, in combination with prescription medications, or when prescription erectile dysfunction medications cannot be tolerated or interact with your other prescription medications.

RELATED: Sildenafil details | Vardenafil details | Tadalafil details

Other natural remedies for ED

Here are some other tips that you can try to help improve your sexual health:

  • Diet: Try adding some foods like watermelon, spinach, blackberries, oatmeal, and more to your diet, while avoiding alcohol, sugary drinks, and soy-based products. Eating healthier can help you lose weight, which can help ED as well. 
  • Exercise: Exercise can help you lose weight, which can help ED. Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure what exercise is best for you. Also, Kegels aren’t just for women—they can help ED in men, too. 
  • Get regular medical care: Because other health issues such as high blood pressure or diabetes can contribute to ED, see your healthcare provider regularly to monitor and/or treat any other conditions that could be related to your ED. 
  • Stress relief: Stress can contribute to ED, so focusing on stress relief may help. Talk to a therapist and/or try meditation. 
  • Stop smoking: Another reason to stop smoking—not only is smoking bad for your lungs and heart, but it can also contribute to ED. Ask your healthcare provider to help you with a smoking cessation program. 
  • Get quality sleep: Because poor quality or sleep and tiredness can lead to ED, focus on improving your sleep quality
  • Acupuncture: Acupuncture is safe for most people and may help sexual health. 

Bottom line—Talk to your doctor first

If you are experiencing symptoms of ED, contact your healthcare provider. Medical professionals such as your primary care provider, a urologist, or an endocrinologist can diagnose and treat ED. Be sure to speak openly with your healthcare provider about your symptoms and lifestyle, so he or she can develop an individualized treatment plan for you.

Always ask your doctor before trying any new vitamins or supplements so you can avoid adverse effects and medication interactions.