Beware of Erectile Dysfunction Supplements

Numerous treatments are on the market for the 30 million American men who have erectile dysfunction (ED). But are they safe? Healthcare providers urge those with ED to use caution when buying a product without a prescription because it could be dangerous or fake. Furthermore, ED may be a sign of an underlying health problem such as clogged blood vessels or nerve damage from diabetes.

A variety of herbal remedies for ED have undergone studies, but there is not enough research to prove they work. Most of the testing has been done on animals rather than people. There are a few limited studies on acupuncture but none are extensive enough to provide sufficient evidence that the treatment works. The bottom line is that there is no clear data that any herbal product is effective or safe to treat ED.

Supplements claiming to promote sexual enhancement—sometimes referred to as “herbal Viagra”—have been found to be tainted with harmful drugs. Some products include hazardous combinations of ingredients or excessively high doses without reference on the label. These undisclosed additives can interact with drugs that contain substances like nitrates, which can cause a severe plummet in blood pressure. Men who have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take drugs containing nitrates and frequently have ED.

In efforts to warn consumers, the US Food and Drug Administration says to beware of ED sexual enhancement products that promise results within 30 to 40 minutes or ones that are marketed as alternatives to FDA-approved prescription drugs. Products sold in single servings, advertised with unsolicited emails, have labels written in a foreign language, or ones that have directions that mimic FDA-approved products should raise a red flag. It is advised that those with ED see a healthcare professional for an evaluation and safe treatment plan.