{"id":5628,"date":"2019-08-29T10:30:07","date_gmt":"2019-08-29T14:30:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=5628"},"modified":"2024-07-22T10:04:38","modified_gmt":"2024-07-22T14:04:38","slug":"can-vitamins-treat-erectile-dysfunction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/can-vitamins-treat-erectile-dysfunction\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the best vitamin for erectile dysfunction?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects <\/span>30 million men in the U.S.<\/span><\/a> every year. If you\u2019ve had difficulty achieving or maintaining a penile erection, you\u2019ve probably seen the ads for herbal remedies and supplements promising to boost sexual performance and wondered, \u201cCould they work for me?\u201d The most effective and proven treatments are prescription medications (like<\/span> Viagra<\/span><\/a>), 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 may be effective.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>ED treatments and medications<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Can vitamins treat erectile dysfunction?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Many men use a combination of vitamins and medications to treat ED. In a <\/span>2021 SingleCare survey<\/span><\/a>, 63% of respondents reported taking medication, and 31% reported taking vitamins, supplements, or herbs for ED.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/span> Viagra or Revatio (sildenafil)<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Levitra (vardenafil)<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Cialis (tadalafil)<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Stendra (avanafil)<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

While there is some evidence that vitamins could help erectile dysfunction, it\u2019s generally agreed that they don\u2019t treat or cure the condition with the same efficacy as prescription medications. Consult a healthcare provider before using any vitamin or dietary supplement for ED and ask for medical advice regarding the recommended dosage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Best vitamins for erectile dysfunction<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Vitamin, herb, or supplement<\/b><\/td>\nTreatment for ED<\/b><\/td>\nMore information*<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vitamin B9 (folic acid)<\/span><\/td>\nA lack of folic acid may cause high homocysteine levels, which can impair erectile function. Supplementing with folic acid may help with erections. <\/span>This study<\/span><\/a> suggests that folic acid can help ED but should be used along with a PDE5 inhibitor like Viagra.<\/span><\/td>\nGet vitamin B9 coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vitamin D<\/span><\/td>\nA significant number of men with ED have a <\/span>vitamin D deficiency<\/span><\/a>, so vitamin D supplementation may help improve ED\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nGet vitamin D coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vitamin B3 (niacin)<\/span><\/td>\nOne study showed that <\/span>niacin may help improve erectile function<\/span><\/a> in patients with moderate to severe ED who also have high cholesterol.<\/span><\/td>\nGet vitamin B3 coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)<\/span><\/td>\nIt <\/span>supports the biochemical pathways<\/span><\/a> leading to nitric oxide release, which is essential in increasing blood flow and achieving erections.<\/span><\/td>\nGet vitamin C coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
L-arginine<\/span><\/td>\nStudies<\/span><\/a> on L-arginine are limited and have small sample sizes but found that L-arginine may help ED<\/span><\/td>\nGet L-arginine coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*When purchasing an OTC vitamin or supplement, you will need a prescription from a healthcare provider in order to use the SingleCare discount.<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n

Vitamin B9 (folic acid)<\/span><\/h3>\n

A <\/span>2014 study<\/span><\/a> noted that men with ED had lower levels of folic acid. A more recent <\/span>2020 study<\/span><\/a> concluded that men who took folic acid daily had improvements in their ED. However, the study noted that folic acid should be used along with a prescription<\/span> phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor such as<\/span> Viagra.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Vitamin B9-rich foods<\/span><\/h4>\n

Foods that are great sources of B9 include:<\/span><\/p>\n