Natural Supplements for Erectile Dysfunction, Infertility and Men’s Health Under the Scientific Spotlight
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 14, 2026 2 hours, 47 minutes ago
Medical News: A major new review by leading European and international urologists is shedding fresh light on whether popular “natural” supplements truly help men struggling with sexual and reproductive health problems. The study, led by researchers from the Urology Division, Santa Chiara Regional and Teaching Hospital, Provincial Health Care Agency (APSS), Trento, Italy, along with experts from the University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, the University of Oslo, Oslo University Hospital, the University of Aarhus, the University of Trieste, the University of Pisa, the University of Naples Federico II, the IRCCS Fondazione Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico in Milan, and the University of Trento, examined 49 key studies published over the last 25 years.
Study finds selected nutraceuticals may support male sexual and reproductive health but cannot
replace standard medical treatments.
This
Medical News report explores what the scientists found about nutraceuticals and phytotherapy in conditions such as erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease, male infertility, and chronic prostatitis.
Growing Interest in Natural Options
Many men are dissatisfied with conventional treatments due to cost, side effects, or limited benefits. As a result, supplements like ginseng, L-arginine, carnitine, coenzyme Q10, pollen extracts, and herbal remedies are increasingly used.
The researchers found that while some products show promise, not all are backed by strong scientific evidence. Importantly, supplement quality, dosage, and formulation vary widely, which can influence results.
Erectile Dysfunction and Nitric Oxide Boosters
Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects more than half of older men. The review confirms that L-arginine, a precursor to nitric oxide, can significantly improve erections in some men, especially at doses between 1,500 and 5,000 mg daily. L-citrulline may also support nitric oxide production over time.
Panax ginseng showed modest benefits in improving erectile function, likely by enhancing blood flow. Tribulus terrestris and Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) may improve sexual desire and overall satisfaction, though evidence remains mixed.
The authors stress that supplements should not replace first-line drugs such as PDE5 inhibitors but may be useful in combination therapy, especially in early or mild cases.
Peyronie’s Disease and Anti-Inflammatory Compounds
In induratio penis plastica (Peyronie’s disease), where scar tissue causes penile curvature and pain, oxidative stress and inflammation play key roles. Coenzyme Q10 demonstrated encouraging results in reducing curvature progression in early-stage disease.
Carnitine showed some superiority over vitamin E in reducing pain and curvature in small studies. However, major guidelines do not currently recommend oral supplements as standalone therapy. Benefits appear most likely d
uring the early inflammatory phase.
Male Infertility and Oxidative Stress
Male infertility accounts for up to half of all infertility cases worldwide. Oxidative stress damages sperm DNA and function.
The review found that combinations of antioxidants—such as coenzyme Q10, vitamins C and E, zinc, selenium, folic acid, and carnitine—can improve sperm count, motility, and DNA integrity. Probiotics and synbiotics also showed promising effects on semen quality.
However, a critical point remains: improved sperm parameters do not always translate into higher pregnancy rates. This distinction is essential when counseling couples.
Chronic Prostatitis and Pollen Extract
For chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, pollen extract emerged as one of the most consistently supported options. In one large trial, more than 70 percent of men taking pollen extract achieved meaningful symptom improvement compared to 50 percent on placebo.
Quercetin also demonstrated significant symptom reduction in smaller trials, while saw palmetto did not show consistent benefit.
Conclusions And the Road Ahead
Overall, the researchers conclude that nutraceuticals may provide meaningful support in certain andrological conditions, particularly when oxidative stress and inflammation are involved. However, evidence remains uneven. Many studies are small, use different formulations, or lack long-term follow-up. Larger, high-quality randomized trials with standardized dosing are urgently needed.
Supplements should be considered supportive tools within a broader, individualized treatment plan that includes lifestyle changes and, when necessary, conventional medical therapy. Patients must be counseled carefully to maintain realistic expectations.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Uro.
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4397/6/1/4
For the latest on Supplements for Men’s Health, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/supplements
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/reproductive-medicine
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