Natural remedies for erectile dysfunction | What really works?
Many men only look for something natural when they experience the onset of erectile dysfunction. This is completely understandable. But this is also when many spend time and money on solutions that either have very weak evidence or don’t address the root cause.
Natural remedies, supplements and lifestyle changes can play a role in some cases, but they should be considered soberly and in the context of the overall picture. The most important question is rarely which remedy you choose. It’s what actually causes the problem.
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Natural remedies for erectile dysfunction: What really works?
When erection starts to fail, many men first look for a natural solution. This is understandable. Maybe you don’t want medication, maybe the problem isn’t that pronounced yet, or maybe you’re hoping a supplement can help without you having to talk to anyone about it.
But the market for natural remedies, supplements and so-called natural potency products is difficult to understand. Some products are based on a biological explanation that may be relevant for some men. Others have very limited evidence. And some products, especially those purchased online, may contain active pharmaceutical ingredients that are not listed on the label.
The most important question is therefore rarely which natural remedy to choose. The most important thing is what is actually causing your erectile dysfunction.
Short answer: Can natural remedies help with erectile dysfunction?
Natural remedies and supplements may provide a small improvement in some men with mild erectile dysfunction. The European urological guidelines mention L-arginine and ginseng as options for men with mild erectile dysfunction who do not want medical treatment, but emphasize that the effect may be modest.
Natural remedies should therefore not be considered a safe solution to impotence. Nor should they delay an assessment if the problem is persistent, increasing or occurs in conjunction with illness, medication, pain, curvature or significantly reduced sex drive.
If you have repeated or obvious problems getting or keeping an erection, read more about erectile dysfunction and impotence treatment, where we go through different possible causes and relevant next steps.
Why are many people looking for natural solutions?
Erectile dysfunction can feel private and vulnerable. Many men prefer to try something themselves before contacting a clinic or doctor. A dietary supplement may seem like a simple and discreet option: you buy it, try it and hope your erection gets stronger.
For some, the search for natural remedies is also about a desire to avoid prescription drugs or possible side effects. For others, it’s because pills have been ineffective in the past or they want to improve their sexual function through sleep, exercise, weight loss and better circulation.
The problem occurs when natural remedies are used in response to a symptom without considering the cause. Erectile dysfunction can be related to blood flow, diabetes, high blood pressure, medication, testosterone, nerves, stress, performance pressure, pelvic floor, previous surgery or changes in penile tissue.
The same symptom can therefore require very different solutions. At MS Insight, we don’t start by recommending a specific product or a standard course of action. We start by assessing what is most likely behind the problem and what realistically makes sense as a next step.
Can natural remedies help with erectile dysfunction?
There are supplements and botanicals that are often marketed to men with erectile dysfunction. L-arginine, citrulline and ginseng in particular are often mentioned because they are associated with blood flow or sexual function.
However, the evidence is not strong enough for natural remedies to be promoted as a treatment alongside approved medications or other targeted interventions. The European Association of Urology states that L-arginine or ginseng can be tried in men with mild erectile dysfunction who do not want medical treatment, while informing them that the improvement may be modest.
In practice, this means that natural medicine may be relevant for some men with mild symptoms and realistic expectations. This does not mean that a supplement will solve persistent impotence, severe erectile dysfunction or problems that are primarily caused by disease, medication, nerve damage or tissue changes.
If you have already tried natural remedies with no clear effect, the solution is rarely to simply add another product. It’s often more relevant to find out why the problem has occurred.
L-arginine and citrulline: What is realistic to expect?
L-arginine is an amino acid that the body uses in the production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is relevant to the ability of blood vessels to dilate and therefore plays a role in the normal erection process. Citrulline is converted in the body to arginine and is often marketed with a similar purpose.
It is biologically plausible that these supplements can support blood flow in some men. But it’s important to keep expectations realistic. If there is an effect, it will typically be modest and most relevant for mild erectile dysfunction.
L-arginine or citrulline alone is not a solution if the problem is primarily due to significantly reduced blood flow, nerve damage after surgery, severe hormone deficiency, Peyronie’s disease, medication side effects or significant mental stress.
Read more in the specific review on L-arginine and potency.
Ginseng: Possible effect, but not a sure solution
Ginseng is one of the natural remedies most often mentioned in relation to potency and sexual function. There are studies that point to possible improvement in some men with erectile dysfunction, and ginseng is mentioned in European urological guidelines as a possible solution for mild erectile dysfunction in men who do not want medical treatment.
However, this is not to say that ginseng can be expected to solve the problem. The effect may be small, and product quality, dose and content may vary. A product sold as ginseng is not necessarily comparable to another product with the same name.
Ginseng should therefore be seen as a possible but limited support in selected men – not as a shortcut that makes it unnecessary to understand the cause behind the symptoms.
Read more in the specific article on ginseng and potency.
What about maca, testosterone boosters and “natural Viagra”?
Many products are marketed with words like libido, testosterone, stamina, male enhancement or natural Viagra. Here it becomes particularly important to distinguish between marketing and documentation.
For products like maca and various testosterone boosters, the evidence for erectile dysfunction is generally more uncertain. Some products are marketed on the basis of traditional use or broad promises of energy, desire and sexual performance, but this is not the same as proven improvement in erectile function.
If you experience significantly decreased sex drive, fewer morning erections, low energy or other symptoms that may indicate a hormonal problem, the focus should not be on random testosterone boosters. Instead, it may be relevant to assess whether blood tests and medical evaluation make sense. Read more about testosterone and impotence.
Products that promise a quick Viagra-like effect without a prescription should be a particular cause for caution. The Danish Medicines Agency has warned against illegal potency products that may contain active pharmaceutical ingredients without this being stated in the product’s declaration.
This can be a real risk, especially if you have cardiovascular disease, take blood pressure medication, or use other medications that can interact with potency drugs.
Read more about natural Viagra.
Natural medicine, supplements and lifestyle are not the same
It is important to distinguish between supplements and the changes that can actually improve the basis for a better erection.
A dietary supplement is a product you consume. Lifestyle, on the other hand, is about factors such as fitness, weight, sleep, smoking, alcohol, stress, blood sugar, blood pressure and circulation. For many men, these factors are more relevant to erectile function than a single natural remedy.
The European Association of Urology recommends that lifestyle changes and management of relevant risk factors are included before or at the same time as treatment for erectile dysfunction. This is because erection is often closely related to vascular function and overall metabolic health.
Among other things, it may be relevant to look at:
- Physical activity, especially regular cardio training.
- Overweight and waist measurement, if applicable.
- Smoking and nicotine.
- Alcohol consumption.
- Sleep quality and possible sleep apnea.
- Stress levels and mental strain.
- Blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.
This doesn’t mean that erectile dysfunction can always be trained or lived with. But it does mean that these conditions can be an important part of the assessment and in some cases have a greater impact on function than random supplements.
When do natural remedies risk delaying the right assessment?
If the problems are mild and short-lived, it’s understandable to start with better sleep, more exercise, less alcohol and possibly a well-considered dietary supplement. But for repeated or obvious erectile dysfunction, you shouldn’t keep experimenting without finding out if something else is going on.
It is particularly relevant to get an assessment if:
- The problem has been going on for a long time or is getting worse.
- You experience fewer or weaker morning erections than before.
- You have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or known cardiovascular disease.
- You are taking medication that can affect sexual function.
- You have significantly decreased sex drive, fatigue or suspected low testosterone.
- You have pain, curvature, plaque or other changes in the penis.
- Pills or natural remedies work unstably or not at all.
- The problem affects your relationship, your confidence or your desire for intimacy.
Erectile dysfunction can in some cases be a sign of impaired vascular function and should therefore not always be considered an isolated sexual problem. In case of new or persistent symptoms, your GP may be relevant for medical assessment, blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, hormones and medication.
Natural remedies or pills: What’s the difference?
Many men search for natural remedies because they want an alternative to Viagra, Cialis or similar drugs. The difference is that approved PDE5 inhibitors are studied, dosed and used under known safety conditions, while supplements typically have more limited evidence and greater variation in content and quality.
This doesn’t mean that pills are the right choice for everyone. Medication can cause side effects, be unsuitable in certain situations or be inadequate. But it does mean that the comparison should be sober: a natural remedy is not automatically better or safer just because it is marketed as natural.
If you are considering medication or have already tried it, you can read more about erectile dysfunction and pills. If the effect has been inconsistent or insufficient, the focus should not only be on finding a new product, but also on understanding why the treatment has not been sufficient.
When the problem requires more than a supplement
Erectile dysfunction is not one diagnosis. Two men can experience almost the same symptom, but have different causes and thus need different solutions.
For some, the problem is primarily about blood flow. For others, testosterone, medication, diabetes, nerves, pelvic floor, stress or previous surgery play a bigger role. For some, several factors are present at the same time.
If the assessment indicates that blood flow or tissue quality is a significant part of the problem, targeted treatments may be relevant in selected cases. However, if the symptoms are primarily related to hormones, medication, psychological factors or other disease, a different direction makes more sense.
It’s not whether you choose natural medicine, pills, shockwave or another solution first. It’s whether the choice fits the cause of the problem.
Read more about the overall assessment and treatment options for erectile dysfunction and impotence.
How do we assess erectile dysfunction at MS Insight?
At MS Insight, a course of treatment does not start with a standard product or a fixed treatment package. It starts with a confidential assessment of your symptoms, how the problem manifests itself, when it occurs and what factors may be relevant in your particular situation.
We look at whether the problem is constant or situational, whether desire is affected, whether medication or illness may be involved, and whether there are signs that tissue, blood flow, pelvic floor or nerves need further assessment.
In selected cases, ultrasound scanning can help assess relevant tissue, structural or circulatory conditions. If diabetes, cardiovascular risk or low testosterone are suspected, for example, relevant blood tests and medical assessment should be done in collaboration with your own doctor or relevant specialist.
You meet Michael directly in the clinic, so assessment, possible treatment and follow-up are closely linked from the start.
How the most thorough examination for erectile dysfunction in the Nordics works
When you come for your first consultation, we start with a thorough conversation where we talk openly about your challenges and the lifestyle factors that may affect your erectile function in a safe and confidential environment. Together, we will uncover whether your erectile dysfunction is constant or more situational, which gives us important insights into the underlying causes. I recommend that your doctor is also part of the process to make sure that all blood values are normal and that any comorbidities such as diabetes or heart problems are under control.
As part of the initial examination, I perform an ultrasound scan of both the penis and pelvic floor to assess blood flow and muscle balance in these areas. This scan allows us to identify any physical causes of your erectile dysfunction, such as reduced blood flow or pelvic floor tension. In addition, I’ll perform a brief screening of your heart’s pumping function to ensure your heart is functioning optimally, as cardiovascular health plays a key role in erectile function. If necessary, we can also examine the prostate and bladder to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms.
To get a full understanding of your body’s health, I perform an advanced body analysis with the clinic’s Inbody770 system. This analysis provides detailed information about your body composition, including muscle mass, body fat percentage, and visceral fat. This data helps us assess your overall health and predict how your body will respond to the planned treatment. At the same time, I also examine your back to see if it can have an impact on erectile function.
After the initial examination, you will receive guidance on pelvic floor exercises to improve your muscle strength and support the treatment. Together we will discuss your expectations for the treatment and create a tailor-made plan for your treatment, so you can feel comfortable and well-informed every step of the way. If you wish, we can also start shockwave and EMTT treatment at your first consultation, so you can quickly get started on improving your erectile function.
I make sure we implement the right treatment strategy for you so you can experience quality in your sex life again. I go in-depth with your treatment because you deserve the best possible solution to your erectile dysfunction. If adjustments to your diet and lifestyle are needed, I work with external partners, including nutritionists and personal trainers, to give you the best possible support and ensure that all aspects of erectile function are addressed.
If you’re curious about treating erectile dysfunction with natural remedies, we can talk about that too.
Professional foundation and realistic expectations
Natural remedies can be interesting for men who want to start gently or avoid medical treatment. But natural remedies should not be made into more than the evidence can bear.
European urological guidelines state that L-arginine or ginseng can be tried in men with mild erectile dysfunction who do not want medication, while informing them that any improvement is likely to be modest. The same guidelines highlight lifestyle changes and control of relevant risk factors as key parts of managing erectile dysfunction.
The Danish Medicines Agency also warns against illegal potency products that can be sold online and contain active pharmaceutical ingredients that are not included in the product’s declaration.
The most accurate message is therefore: natural remedies may be a small part of the solution for some men. But for persistent erectile dysfunction, efforts should start with understanding the cause, not piling more products on top of each other.
Get a more accurate assessment of what’s driving the problem
If you’ve tried natural remedies with no clear effect or you’re unsure whether your erectile dysfunction is due to blood flow, medication, testosterone, stress or several factors at once, a more thorough assessment may be a relevant next step.
At MS Insight, the first step is not about selling you a specific treatment. It’s about finding out what realistically makes sense in your situation.
Read more about erectile dysfunction and impotence treatment or contact the clinic for a confidential assessment.
Frequently asked questions about natural remedies and erectile dysfunction
Can natural remedies help with erectile dysfunction?
Natural remedies may provide a minor improvement in some men with mild erectile dysfunction. However, the evidence is limited and natural remedies should not be considered a safe solution to persistent impotence.
Which natural remedies have the best evidence for erectile dysfunction?
The European Association of Urology mentions L-arginine and ginseng as possible supplements for men with mild erectile dysfunction who do not want medical treatment. At the same time, it emphasizes that the effect may be modest.
Is natural Viagra safe?
Not necessarily. Products marketed as natural Viagra or quick potency boosters may be poorly documented. The Danish Medicines Agency has warned against illegal potency products that may contain undeclared drug substances.
Can I take supplements with Viagra or Cialis?
This should be assessed individually, especially if you are taking medication for blood pressure, heart disease or other chronic conditions. Natural remedies are not automatically without risk of interactions.
When should I get an assessment instead of trying natural remedies?
If erectile dysfunction persists, gets worse, affects your quality of life, or occurs alongside illness, medication, pain, curvature or decreased desire, a more accurate assessment makes more sense than continued random testing.
Are lifestyle changes better proven than supplements?
For many forms of erectile dysfunction, physical activity, weight management and control of relevant risk factors are better anchored in clinical guidelines than supplements alone.
Can ultrasound determine if natural remedies will work?
Answer. Ultrasound cannot predict the effect of a dietary supplement. However, in selected cases, scanning can help assess tissues, structural changes or blood flow that may have an impact on erectile dysfunction.
Sources and professional basis
Michael Strøm og MS Insight
Denne side er fagligt udarbejdet af Michael Strøm, specialist i shockwave, EMTT og mænds seksuelle sundhed. Hos MS Insight møder du Michael direkte i klinikken, så vurdering, behandling og opfølgning hænger tæt sammen fra start.
Siden bygger på klinisk erfaring fra MS Insight, relevant forskningslitteratur og en individuel vurderingsmodel, hvor symptomer, funktion, væv, blodgennemstrømning, nervesystem og behandlingsmål ses i sammenhæng.
I will get back to you within 12-24 hours.
Frequently asked questions about erectile dysfunction
How do I plan my erection problem treatment and price?
- With the use of shockwave, new small blood vessels form in the penis and clean out the “dirt” in the cavernous bodies. The nerves, muscles and blood vessels of the diaphragm are also stimulated, giving you a stronger and better erection again. Without the unpleasant side effects seen with other treatments.
- The program usually lasts 6-8 weeks and is adapted to your needs and the degree of the problem in relation to the sex life you want. All with the aim of ensuring you have a high quality of life and good self-esteem. You get the tools to make a difference for yourself, your feelings as a man and not least your erection, so you avoid problems again in the future. A course of treatment usually consists of 6, 9 or 12 treatments, where 90% of our clients experience a better and more powerful erection.
- In case of severe illness or medication, ongoing maintenance may be necessary, but I will guide you on this at the first consultation after the initial examination.
- I clarify what the triggers are for you the first time you come to the clinic for an examination. In this way, you will also be able to continue working with different tools yourself. Recent research and experiences from our German colleagues show that it is recommended to add an additional course of 6 treatments after 6 months. This has been shown to have a longer-lasting effect (several years at the level achieved).
- Others choose to have regular maintenance with a few treatments throughout the year to keep nerve activity high.
- A single treatment with Shockwave in combination with EMTT costs from 1,550-2,000 Danish kroner, depending on how advanced a solution you choose. I was the first in Denmark to work with the combination of Shockwave and EMTT, where we see a higher effect than shockwave alone and have set the standard for ED treatment both in Denmark and abroad.
- At the first consultation, you can choose whether you only want a consultation and examination, which costs from DKK 1,700, or start treatment right away.
- If you want to see a review of different studies, you can see them here: Studies on ED
Combination therapy with EMTT and Shockwave, why is it more effective?
We also have the opportunity to combine the shockwave treatment with the brand new EMTT technology, which provides increased stimulation of the nervous system and elasticity in the pelvic floor tissue, as well as an increased release of growth factors and other building blocks for increased cell quality. Therefore, we stimulate a wider area than with shockwave alone. In order to get a good and powerful erection, the tissue in the penis must be able to expand up to 20-25 times, so supple tissue is important.
With this combination, a stronger effect is seen than with shockwave alone. This is also supported by our clients who have previously received shockwave as standalone. We expect this combination to become the standard of care for erectile dysfunction in the future. We are the clinic in Denmark that introduced EMTT back in 2020 and were the first to offer this innovative combination treatment, which will give you better results and stronger erections. Other clinics have since adapted Michael’s protocols in their treatments.
Can I get help after Radical Prostatectomy?
After prostate cancer surgery, it is common to see severe erection problems. Normally, the surgeon will try to preserve one of the two nerves running along the prostate that affect erectile function. If the nerve is preserved, we can use shockwave to increase erectile function, if possible in combination with pills or injections. This way you will be able to maintain sexual activity and a good erection.
However, it is important to recover quickly after surgery as there is an open window for the first 6 months after surgery to stimulate the nerve tissue. This is also when we have the best chance of reducing inappropriate scar tissue formation in the pelvic floor after surgery.
Every week I have clients in the clinic who have had surgery several years ago. They still see a good effect with the treatment in terms of increased erectile function and sensation. But where I see the greatest effect is at the start of treatment a few weeks after surgery.
Most recently, shockwave treatment has started as early as 3 weeks after surgery at Odense University Hospital, where, just like here in the clinic, they see an increased effect on the regeneration of nerve tissue. This also increases erectile function and limits potential nerve damage in the long run. In order to perform the treatment so close to surgery, it requires that all cancer has been removed.
What treatments are available for erection problems and erectile dysfunction?
One of the latest treatment options for erectile dysfunction is focused shockwave and EMTT, which is used in the clinic at MS Insight.
- Physical activity
- Vacuum pump
- Shockwave/EMTT
- Sexological therapy
- Stem cells (not offered in the clinic)
- Injections/pills (not offered in the clinic)
- Surgery (with pump insertion)
Why is body analysis used for erection problems?
To give you a full picture of your health and identify potential risk factors, I offer an advanced body analysis with the InBody770 at your first treatment. This technology is among the most accurate and comprehensive tools for measuring body composition and provides valuable insights that can improve your treatment plan.
InBody770 analyzes several important parameters, including your body composition, muscle mass, body fat percentage, visceral fat (fat around the organs), and even the fluid content of your body. This detailed analysis gives us a clear picture of how your body is built and helps predict how you will respond to the shockwave treatment. By knowing the exact composition of your body, we can tailor the treatment to your specific needs and ensure you get the best possible results.
In addition to optimizing your treatment, InBody770 analysis can also be used to track your progress over time. If you decide to make lifestyle changes, such as improving your diet or increasing physical activity, we can track your body composition and see how these changes affect your erectile function and overall health. Follow-up measurements after treatment allow us to evaluate the effects of treatment and adjust your plan as needed so you can continue to improve your health and quality of life.
By including this advanced body analysis in your treatment, we ensure that all aspects of your health are taken into account. This holistic view of your body and health helps us find the underlying causes of your challenges and develop an effective and personalized plan that focuses not only on symptoms, but also on long-term health and wellness.
Martin's experience with shockwave treatment for erection problems
“Despite regular exercise, a healthy diet and a continued active sex life, throughout my fifties I have experienced a gradual deterioration in my ability to have a proper and sustained erection. Well, in reality, that process probably started even earlier.
I’ve never really liked pills, even though they provide an easy and effective short-term effect. I became curious when I read about Michael and MS Insight. I took the test and gave myself a birthday present by purchasing what in my case were 6 recommended treatments.
You quickly get used to the formless and in no way painful shockwave treatment of the perineum and penis. The treatment is painless and you quickly get used to relaxing with the “tingling” waves from the shockwave machine.
You can convince yourself that there’s not much difference between opening your mouth and dropping your pants in private with your therapist. Then the experience is on par with a dental cleaning. Michael is very organized and has always handled my treatments and one-on-one sessions in a good and relaxed manner.
After my 6 treatments, I experienced a noticeable change in both the ability to get and the frequency of having a naturally good erection. Cozy when you wake up in the morning and nice when you’re with your girlfriend.
It’s been worth every penny for me and I’m willing to go again in 5 or 10 years if I later lose the level that I have now regained.”
Get a no-obligation consultation about erectile dysfunction treatment today
Er du interesseret i at høre mere om, hvordan vi kan hjælpe dig, er du altid velkommen til at kontakte os på telefon: 41 40 08 58 eller mail: michael@msinsight.dk. Otherwise, fill out the contact form with your details and a brief description of your problem. I’ll get back to you quickly with a customized solution proposal so we can find the best way forward together.