Erectile dysfunction herbs: A natural treatment for ED?

Erectile dysfunction — difficulty maintaining an erection sufficient for sex — is a common problem. You've likely seen advertisements on the Internet or in magazines for erectile dysfunction herbs or supplements, and you may wonder whether they might work for you.

Erectile dysfunction herbs and other natural remedies have been used in Chinese, African and other traditional medicines for many years. But finding out whether erectile dysfunction herbs or supplements work, and if they're safe, can be tricky. Unlike prescription medications for erectile dysfunction such as sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra) and tadalafil (Cialis), most erectile dysfunction herbs and supplements haven't been well studied or tested. Some can cause side effects or interact with other medications.

Here's what's known about some of these erectile dysfunction remedies.

Be wary of 'herbal Viagra'

After the medication Viagra was introduced in the late '90s, it quickly gained a reputation as an effective treatment for the erectile dysfunction. A number of nonprescription products claiming to be herbal forms of Viagra soon followed. Some of these products contain unknown quantities of potent ingredients similar to those in prescription medications, which can cause dangerous side effects. Some actually contain the real drug that should be given by prescription only. Although the Food and Drug Administration has banned many of these products, some potentially dangerous erectile dysfunction remedies remain on the market.

Be cautious and talk to your doctor

Just because a product claims to be natural doesn't mean it's safe. Many herbal remedies can cause side effects and dangerous interactions when taken with certain medications. Talk to your doctor before you try an herbal treatment for erectile dysfunction — especially if you're taking medications or you have a chronic health problem such as heart disease or diabetes.

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