Erectile dysfunction (ED) typical treatment is usually as a symptom of other health conditions and not a condition in itself.
There are multiple causes of ED, the most common ones being symptoms of diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or health conditions like obesity and lifestyle habits like substance abuse.
In most cases, taking some steps to improve your health can dispel ED; however, Erectile dysfunction is a typical symptom of growing old, so sometimes it can be unpreventable.
There are erectile dysfunction medications that are developed to help with treating ED. However, recent research has found that there are alternative treatments that can improve the sexual health of a person.
In this article, we will be looking at a few of these alternative remedies used for treating people who experience Erectile dysfunction and if it’s helpful. Continue reading to know what vitamins help sexually and what drugs cause ED.
The Best Vitamins For Sex Drive
Vitamin A
Vitamin AVitamin A is known to help in the production of testosterone levels. Many food items contain vitamin A like meat, eggs, milk, yellow or orange-colored vegetables, and citrus fruits.
At the same time, Vitamin A can be helpful in female sex hormone production as well. Vitamin A is also an essential factor in producing sperm for the male reproductive organs.
Vitamin B3
Vitamin B3 serves many functions in the body, but the most important one is providing energy.
It is also called Niacin and is a primary vitamin that facilitates the conversion of enzymes to energy. Vitamin B3 also aids in increasing blood flow, giving you a stronger sex drive and erections.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D, most widely known as the sunshine vitamin, is one of the vital vitamins you need in your body to build immunity and maintain healthy bones and muscles. In addition to this, Vitamin D supplement also plays a massive role in enhancing sexual function for men who have erectile dysfunction.
A study conducted by the International Journal of Impotence Research found that Vitamin D deficiency was related to incompetent male sexual function.
They also found that the level of deficiency had a lot to do with the severity of the erectile dysfunction that the males go through.
Many studies conclude that this phenomenon is the ability of Vitamin D to develop endothelial cells through the presence of oxidative stress. It also plays a role in nitric oxide production in the body.
Further research points to the association between mental health and Vitamin D deficiency, especially depression.
The lack of Vitamin D in the body directly impacts mental health, which then affects the sexual functioning of the person. This can manifest as unattractive or a lack of sex drive due to mental health problems.
L-arginine
L-arginine is a naturally occurring amino acid that aids in producing protein in the body. When this gets absorbed into the body, it increases nitric oxide, relaxing blood vessels and allowing for proper blood flow and circulation.
Erections occur due to blood flow into the penis, so when these vessels are opened, it makes getting an erection easier and quicker. Most stay hard longer pills include L-arginine.
Vitamin E
An important antioxidant that aids in healthy hormone balance is Vitamin E. Many sex experts call Vitamin E a “sex Vitamin” because of its ability to increase testosterone levels and increase the sperm count in males.
Most penis numbing gel contains Vitamin E and it can help increase the flow of oxygen and blood to the penis, impacting the strength of the erections that males experience when aroused.
Not only this, but Vitamin E is also used in many skin care products because of its beneficial effect on the skin. The anti-aging properties aid in the increase of vitality in males.
What Vitamins Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
Typically, erectile dysfunction is strongly associated with different disorders like diabetes, heart diseases, and mental health problems. However, many people believe that the intake of vitamins will help eliminate the issues of erectile dysfunction.
Even though there’s not enough literature on this relationship, the deficiency of vitamins is directly or indirectly related to some dysfunction in the body which can manifest as erectile dysfunction in some cases.
Having a healthy body with just the right amount of vitamins and minerals is ideal for optimum sexual functioning. So in a way, a balanced diet that tackles vitamin deficiency can fight erectile dysfunction indirectly by improving your overall health.
What Is The Connection Between Vitamin C And Erectile Dysfunction?
Vitamin c erectile dysfunction has to do with the increase of testosterone and better blood circulation, which ultimately impacts the sexual function in males. A 2017 study found that Vitamin C plays a vital role in the sexual virility of males.
So what is it about Vitamin C that netizens are hyped up about concerning erectile dysfunction?
Vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient that helps improve many critical bodily functions. It is sometimes called l-ascorbic acid to protect the body against infections and reduce the risk of heart disease, eye disease, and high blood pressure. Your immunity will also improve if you take vitamin C daily at a doctor’s recommended dosage.
So yes, Vitamin C has a lot of benefits, but the main question remains- does Vitamin C help reduce the chances of erectile dysfunction?
The ugly truth is that there isn’t enough evidence to connect the positive impact of vitamin C to male erectile dysfunction.
However, there is no denying that the deficiency of essential vitamins like Vitamin C from your diet will have a negative impact on your overall health and not just sexual functioning, which, again, could be a symptom of a more significant health condition you are suffering from.
Since Vitamin C is responsible for better blood circulation and the growth of new tissues, adding this to your diet will improve sexual prowess like achieving a lasting erection.
Hence, by this logic, Vitamin C is indirectly responsible for achieving perfect sexual functioning. Vitamin C increases nitric oxide, a chemical that relaxes the tissues in the body. In this way, blood flow to the penis is improved, which helps achieve a healthy erection whenever the body is aroused.
While this evidence isn’t enough to prove that Vitamin C in your diet will help you maintain lasting erections or cure erectile dysfunction, it can surely help the process indirectly.
Besides Vitamin C, some other vitamins and minerals can help increase blood flow and circulation in the body, including the tissues in the penis. So many factors affect the sexual functioning in males and are not restricted to just Vitamin C.
What Is The Connection Between Magnesium, Vitamin D, And Erectile Dysfunction?
A common misconception among people suffering from ED is that Vitamin D causes sexual dysfunction.
Numerous studies point out that vitamin D consumption has a significant negative impact on your sexual health. Instead, Vitamin D can improve it.
Looking at how Vitamin D is absorbed in the body, you may understand why some people believe that Vitamin D causes erectile dysfunction.
Vitamin D biochemistry shows that the vitamin only converts to its active form called dihydroxyvitamin D1 through the intervention of magnesium. Hence, the body can run out of its magnesium reserve with prolonged supplement intake.
This is why your body might suffer magnesium deficiency while taking Vitamin D without enough magnesium in your body.
Low magnesium in the body can cause heart palpitations and high blood pressure, so you have to be very alert when taking vitamin supplements.
The most common symptoms are migraine headaches, insomnia, muscle cramps, increased anxiety, chronic pain, and sudden muscle twitches.
The role of magnesium in the body is to relax the blood vessels and improves blood circulation. When you don’t have enough magnesium, this function is reversed, and your blood vessels may start to constrict, causing erectile dysfunction.
There are millions of blood vessels in the penis that cannot relax without enough magnesium and result in a failure to be fully erect even when you’re aroused.
So when you take Vitamin D, make sure you include enough magnesium-rich food in your diet, such as pumpkin seeds, spinach, black beans, sunflower seeds, quinoa, and Swiss chard.
However, it should be noted that eating foods rich in magnesium alone may not be enough for some people, so you can consult your doctor, who can give you magnesium supplements to take along with your vitamin supplements.
With this balance in tow, your sexual health will improve while also aiding in better overall health.
What Medications Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
While there are many causes of erectile dysfunction, one crucial factor that most people tend to overlook is ed medications.
There are different types of drugs that cause ED.
We will be discussing some of them below, along with some examples:
Psychiatric Medications Such As Antidepressants And Antipsychotics
They contain several chemicals and substances like Chlordiazepoxide, Amitriptyline, Buspirone, Amoxapine, Dimenhydrinate, and Cimetidine, which might negatively impact your sexual performance.
Examples of such medicines are: Elavil, Buspar, Librium, Asendin, Dramamine, and Antihistamine medicines
Recreational Drugs
Any form of a recreational drug, including alcohol, can have a negative impact on the sexual performance of males. Drugs like Heroin, Amphetamines, Marijuana, Cocaine, Barbiturates, and Nicotine are all a part of this category.
Medications For Parkinson’s Disease
They are manufactured using chemicals like Benztropine, Bromocriptine, and Biperiden, which have a high probability of causing sexual dysfunction in males. Examples include Akineton, Cogentin, and Parlodel
Chemotherapy And Medicines For Hormones
These include Antiandrogens, Cyclophosphamide, Ketoconazole, Busulfan, and LHRH agonists. Examples are Casodex, Myleran, Flutamide, Cytoxan, Nilutamide, and Zoladex
Water Pills (Diuretics) And High Blood Pressure Medicines.
They contain complex substances like Atenolol, Bethanidine, Bumetanide, and Thiazides, which tend to cause ED. In fact, Thiazides are one of the most common causes of ED among males. Examples include Tenormin and Bumex
Painkillers Or Opiate Analgesics
These include common medicines like Codeine, Dilaudid, and Innovar, including substances like Fentanyl and Hydromorphone, which can cause severe ED.
What Are Some New Ingredients Being Studied For Treating ED?
Yohimbine
YohimbineIt is regarded as one of the most natural and promising treatments for ED.
After numerous researches, it was found that the plant improved ED in males by a significant degree.
However, it is yet to be researched for its competence against first-line pharmaceutical products like Viagra, so doctors still do not recommend it as a first choice for treating ED.
Red Ginseng
One of the most widely used ingredients in ED supplements is red ginseng, traditional Chinese medicine.
It is believed that red ginseng increases nitric oxide production in the body, which regulates proper blood flow, ultimately increasing the blood flow towards the tissues responsible for erection, called the corpora cavernosa. The penis experiences a healthy erection, aiding in ideal sexual performance.
Maca
Deeply rooted in history, this ingredient has been used for ages as a corrective measure for erectile dysfunction. However, tests with advanced technology have only been done on animals, so it is still not conducive if Maca is good for improving sexual health in humans.
Fenugreek
Another common ingredient is fenugreek, which is also called methi. It is a descendant of the Fabaceae family and has been tested multiple times for its effects on sexual performance in males and came out with positive responses.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is commonly used to treat conditions other than ED, such as Alzheimer’s dementia and hypertension. Ginkgo biloba has been studied for treating ED, but there have been mixed results.
Dehydroepiandrosterone
It is a natural steroid produced by the body, and the adrenal glands in the human body have this steroid which is said to improve sexual performance. However, with only two official trials conducted, the positive results are not enough to dictate its power to treat ED.
Are Supplements Safe To Take Over The Counter?
With so many companies coming up with these so-called “supplements” for improved sexual performance, you can’t help but wonder, “Can supplements cause erectile dysfunction?”
The answer is complicated because while these supplements claim to use ingredients that are natural and organic, there’s very little regulation on their production, so there’s no saying if the accessories are genuinely good for you or not.
While the FDA is looking after the manufacture of conventional pharmaceuticals, they have no control over supplements. Hence, it can be a dangerous gamble if you’re considering taking these sexual supplements without the recommendation of a health expert.
Today, some of these available supplements may even contain dangerous substances and impurities, whether in small or significant amounts. These can have adverse side effects on your overall health.
FAQ On Sex Vitamins
What Drugs Can Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
What Drugs Can Cause Erectile Dysfunction?Several prescription medicines and recreational drugs can cause ED in males, such as psychiatric, chemotherapy, hormonal, and blood pressure.
Recreational drugs like marijuana, cocaine, and Heroin are also responsible for ED. Alcohol and nicotine abuse can also cause ED in some people.
Can Multivitamins Help Erectile Dysfunction?
Various research shows that vitamins like Vitamin C, E, D, B3, and B9 can improve ED.
Can Too Much Vitamin D Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
Vitamin D requires magnesium to become active in the body. So the more Vitamin D you take, the more magnesium you will need. A lack of magnesium in the body causes constricting of blood vessels, resulting in interrupted blood flow to the reproductive organs, causing ED.
The connection between Vitamin D, Magnesium, and ED is complicated. Still, with proper care and balance, you can tackle the complexity easily while simultaneously experiencing the perks of a healthy lifestyle.
Should I Stop Medications That Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
Many recreational and prescription medicines can cause ED in males and even affect their sexual performance.
Suppose you start experiencing side effects and problems that negatively affect your erectile function after starting a new medication. In that case, it is best to consult your doctor to discuss these issues.
It is not recommended that you stop your medication without professional medical advice.
However, it would be best if you still talked to your health care provider because there may be more life-threatening side effects to the medication you are taking, and ED might be the least of your worries in such a case.
What Can I Take Instead Of Conventional Pharmaceutical Medications To Treat Ed?
Supplementing prescription medication to Vitamin D, red ginseng, L-carnitine, and L-alanine supplements can help treat ED. Taking supplements while using ED devices like penis vacuum can likewise help you get an erection. It’s most effective if you have mild to moderate ED. You can take it with prescription medications like Viagra, which may even improve its effects.
Is There A Connection Between Vitamin D And Erectile Dysfunction?
Multiple surveys have shown that men blame Vitamin D for their ED. However, if you look at vitamin D’s biochemistry, you’ll understand that Vitamin D works by using magnesium to activate the vitamin.
However, our bodily reserves for magnesium get depleted when you don’t include enough magnesium in the body for the supplements to work correctly. The lack of magnesium negatively impact sexual performance in males and not the vitamin directly.
Vitamin D boosts sexual health as long as you take enough magnesium-rich foods or magnesium supplements to aid in the activation of vitamin D.
References
- nature.com/ijir/articles
- pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31083546/
- webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/what-to-know-about-vitamin-d-and-mental-health
- lowcountrymale.com/boost-sex-drive-vitamins/
- medicalnewstoday.com/articles/vitamins-for-ed
- pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10845767/
- webmd.com/men/what-is-corpora-cavernosa
- tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01614576.1991.11074006
- menmd.com/category/physician-articles/dheas-role-in-mens-health/
