Lifestyle and Natural Approaches
Some everyday habits are linked to ED, and changing them can help. These pages set out what the research shows, including where supplement claims run ahead of the evidence.
Recreational drugs, alcohol and other lifestyle factors in ED
What the NIH says about recreational drugs, alcohol, smoking and exercise in ED, what ED drug labels say about poppers, and what to tell a clinician.
Habits
Smoking and ED: what the research shows about cigarettes, vaping and quitting
The NIH lists smoking cigarettes as a lifestyle behavior that may contribute to ED. What the studies found on smoking, vaping and quitting, and their limits.
Cannabis, CBD and ED: what the research shows
Does weed cause ED, and can CBD or hemp oil help? What the cannabis and ED studies found, why they disagree, and what the FDA says about CBD products.
Cycling and ED: saddle pressure and what studies show
Can cycling affect erections? What saddle-pressure tests, rider surveys and a 2021 meta-analysis found, why they disagree, and which changes studies tested.
Activity, diet and weight
Exercise and ED: aerobic activity and pelvic floor training, what trials show
What randomized trials found on exercise for erectile dysfunction: aerobic activity, pelvic floor (Kegel) training, diet with exercise, and the limits.
Diet and ED: the Mediterranean diet evidence, and the food myths
What the NIH and studies say about diet for erectile dysfunction: the Mediterranean diet trials, foods to limit, and whether beets, watermelon or coffee help.
GLP-1 medicines, weight loss and ED: what the labels and studies show
Does semaglutide cause erectile dysfunction? What the Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound and Mounjaro labels list, what studies found, and why they disagree.
Supplements
Natural remedies for ED vs medication: what actually works
Which lifestyle changes help ED, why L-arginine, ginseng and "T boosters" disappoint, why "herbal" ED pills can be dangerous, and where prescription pills fit.
ED supplements, ingredient by ingredient: what the evidence shows
An evidence table for common ED supplements: ginseng, yohimbe, horny goat weed, ashwagandha, tongkat ali, ginkgo, DHEA, maca, zinc, vitamin D and magnesium.
L-arginine and L-citrulline for ED: what the trials found
What the trials show about L-arginine and L-citrulline for erectile dysfunction, how they are meant to work, blood pressure cautions, and their FDA status.
Ginseng for ED: what the evidence shows
Which ginseng the ED trials actually tested, what a Cochrane review found, side effects and drug interactions, and why ginseng is not an approved ED treatment.