Approximately 30 million men in the United States experience erectile dysfunction (ED). If you’re affected, it’s important to speak with your doctor. There are established medical treatments available that might be beneficial for you. ED may also point to other health issues, such as problems with blood flow or nerve damage often linked to diabetes, which makes medical evaluation essential.

Treatments proven to be effective for ED are only available through a licensed health care professional. If you come across over-the-counter supplements or products claiming to treat ED without a prescription, it's best to be careful. These products might be counterfeit or pose health risks.

Bottom Line

Currently, there are no proven complementary health approaches that are both safe and effective for improving sexual function or addressing ED. Safety concerns are particularly high when it comes to supplements marketed for ED or sexual enhancement.

Although some herbs have been researched for potential benefits in treating ED, the studies have been limited, and many have only been conducted in laboratory animals. As of now, there is no clear scientific confirmation supporting the effectiveness or safety of these herbal products.

Acupuncture has also been examined in a few studies, but the research is too limited to determine whether it offers any real benefit for ED.

Safety

A number of supplements that claim to enhance male sexual performance—or are labeled as “herbal Viagra”—have been discovered to contain unlisted drug substances. Some of them mix multiple ingredients or include doses that may be harmful. Because their labels don’t disclose these contents, consumers have no way to know what they’re taking.

Hidden drug ingredients in these products can interact dangerously with prescription medications. In particular, they may interfere with nitrates—commonly used by people with conditions like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol—resulting in severe drops in blood pressure. Many individuals with these health concerns also experience ED.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises avoiding ED or sexual enhancement products that:

• Claim fast effects (within 30–40 minutes)
• Are marketed as natural alternatives to prescription ED medications
• Are sold in single-use doses
• Are promoted through spam or unsolicited emails
• Have packaging largely written in a foreign language
• Have instructions and warnings that closely resemble FDA-approved products

For More Information

NCCIH Clearinghouse

The NCCIH Clearinghouse offers resources and publications on complementary and integrative health, along with access to databases of medical and scientific research. It does not provide medical advice or recommend specific treatments or practitioners.

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Know the Science

NCCIH works with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to provide insights into how scientific studies are conducted. This helps individuals make informed health choices. The “Know the Science” initiative includes videos, quizzes, interactive lessons, and guides that clarify how to read and understand scientific materials.

PubMed®

PubMed®, operated by the National Library of Medicine, is a database containing abstracts and details of articles from scientific and medical journals. NCCIH offers guidance on how to navigate PubMed for information about complementary health practices.

This document is in the public domain and may be copied freely.

This material is intended for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your health care provider. NCCIH does not endorse any specific treatment, service, or product mentioned in this publication. Always consult with your health care provider regarding your health care decisions.