Since many men consider ED an issue that comes with age, they often avoid going to the doctor and turn to OTC medication. And, while these drugs help some people, others are disappointed by their effects so they end up paying a visit to the doctor’s office anyway. In this article, we will be going over some of the most popular over-the-counter ED drugs to examine their efficiency.
L-Arginine
The reason why L-arginine could be an effective treatment for ED is nitric oxide – a chemical that can widen our blood vessels and help improve the blood flow to the penis. Once ingested, L-arginine converts to nitric oxide. However, studies found that this supplement can lower our blood pressure, so it should be taken with caution.
DHEA
A hormone that affects the production of both female and male sex hormones, Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels start to naturally decrease as we reach 30. However, there is still not enough proof that this treatment works and it has a lot of potential side effects like acne, aggression, and sleep problems.
Ginseng
Very popular in Eastern medicine, ginseng is believed to improve fertility and sexual function. Although one study does show that this plant could be used to treat impotence in men, little research has been done since to further explore these claims. Its side effects include nausea, headaches, and diarrhea. It may also be unsafe for people with heart disease and autoimmune diseases.
The Bottom Line
Although many of these supplements claim to be effective and natural, little research has been done towards exploring their effectiveness in treating ED. As a result, the scientific community is still not completely familiar with the side effects of over-the-counter ED drugs.
