The Lowdown on Horny Goat Weed and Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common medical condition affecting men of all ages and demographics. It can be a chronic or short-term issue affecting your sex life and throw a monkey wrench in your overall sexual pleasure.

And if you’re reading this, you might have already heard about tried-and-tested treatment options like sildenafil, better known as Viagra.ou might also have heard of dietary supplements claiming to treat ED. One of the most well-known supplements is epimedium, more commonly known as horny goat weed.

Makes perfect sense, right? But just because it has “horny” in its name doesn’t necessarily mean it will give your penis that extra boost it might need.

 

Horny goat weed: a quick rundown

 

Horny goat weed is the moniker given to herbs belonging to the Epimedium genus. They have been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a sexual tonic, among other things.

However, as with many herbal supplements, there’s very little science behind the claim that horny goat weed has any therapeutic purpose for men. Most evidence of this herb’s purported claims has been conducted in laboratories rather than in humans.

Studies conducted on animal subjects indicate that icariin – found in horny goat weed – may promote blood flow by inhibiting the PDE5 enzyme responsible for the subsidence of an erection. The latter is the same mechanism of action used in PDE5 inhibitor ED drugs like sildenafil (Viagra).

However, not much research exists comparing horny goat weed to prescription PDE5 ED drugs. One of the studies indicated that horny goat weed is only 1/80th as effective as oral ED medicines. In short, more research is needed on horny goat weed before we can conclusively say that it’s worth using to treat ED.

 

 

A brief history of horny goat weed

 

Horny goat weed (E. grandiflorum) is an herb endemic to China and the Korean Peninsula. Its fascinating name is thought to have come from a Chinese goatherd who purportedly noticed his goats having more sexual activity after having eaten the plant.

Horny goat weed has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over millennia as a tonic enhancing renal health, fertility, and sexual function.

It’s also a common ingredient in supplements purporting to be aphrodisiacs or sexual performance boosters.

Many of these products mix horny goat weed with other herbs such as ginseng or maca root.

It must be mentioned that these kinds of supplements aren’t scrutinized nor regulated by the Food and Drug Administration as prescription drugs like sildenafil are. That said, they aren’t as stringently tested nor backed up by solid scientific proof of their effectiveness. Moreover, it means your mileage will vary due to the varying amounts of active ingredients from product to product.

 

Does horny goat weed have medicinal uses?

 

Epimedium has been used to treat cardiovascular health concerns in traditional Chinese medicine. 

Horny goat weed proponents harp about icariin, its active ingredient, as the primary source of its purported benefits. Icariin is thought to possess qualities resembling a PDE5 inhibitor, boosting blood flow throughout the body, including the penis.

However, the only existing research on the plant has been performed on animals or under a microscope, with very little in the way of studies involving humans.

Research shows that icariin may indeed have some anti-inflammatory benefits, apart from promoting bone health and protecting the nervous system.

But before you buy that supplement, it must be noted that icariin has low bioavailability and is poorly absorbed by the body, meaning only trace amounts actually hit your bloodstream for any potential effects.

However, there are some fascinating findings in a few studies, with one involving circulatory disease in elderly patients being given epimedium showing improved blood circulation compared to those who weren’t.

Researchers attributed the results to epimedium’s ability to reduce blood lipid concentrations and its effect on clotting and platelets, besides being antioxidant-rich.

 

Does horny goat weed work for ED?

 

The short answer is that there’s very little credible, stringent research supporting the claim that horny goat weed treats ED, despite being one of the most common ingredients in sexual health supplements.

The few studies on animal subjects support the claim that it can inhibit the PDE5 enzyme. However, more stringent studies are needed to conclusively determine this.

 

A study published in the African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines in 2013 discovered that an epimedium-containing supplement had some positive effects on sexual performance and erection quality, but the supplement tested also contained maca root and other androgenic substances.

Thus, whether the benefits were caused by the horny goat weed content or another ingredient is unknown.

 

Another study showed that icariin seems to treat erectile dysfunction in rats. However, that doesn’t mean that it will have the same result in humans. Neither do anecdotal reports in product reviews, vlogs, or blog sites mean horny goat weed necessarily works to treat ED or the conditions that cause it, such as poor blood circulation.

In short, higher quality studies and research are needed to make a conclusive determination that horny goat weed can help treat symptoms of ED or other male sexual health concerns.

 

What are the side effects of horny goat weed? Is it safe?

 

Horny goat weed’s side effects include the following:

 

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Irritability
• Heart arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
• Fast speech

 

No long-term studies have been conducted on horny goat weed or icariin toxicity and safety. However, the existing research indicates that its extracts can be safely used for several months at a time with no known major issues.

However, a note of caution: since horny goat weed may slow blood clotting, individuals who are prone to bleeding disorders or those who are about to undergo surgery may find it better to avoid it. It might worsen existing bleeding disorders or lead to bleeding while going under the knife.

Horny goat weed may also affect estrogen levels, which might play a role in breast and uterine cancers.

Isolated reports linking excessively fast heart rates in horny goat weed users have been recorded. 

And due to such concerns, it’s prudent to talk to your doctor before going on a horny goat weed supplement or other similar natural sexual health supplements, especially if you are taking prescription drugs or have an underlying medical condition like cardiovascular disease.

 

Does horny goat weed interact with other drugs?

 

Studies show that horny goat weed interacts with medicines and supplements the liver metabolizes. 

Horny goat weed may interfere with how fast the liver metabolizes certain medicines like those targeted by the liver’s CYP1A2 and CYP2B6 enzymes, which might lead to said medicines causing unexpected effects.

Horny goat weed may also interact with antiplatelet and anticoagulant medicines due to its effects on blood clotting, leading to a heightened risk of bleeding. The same is true for supplements that may affect blood clotting capacities, such as Panax ginseng, garlic, ginkgo, and ginger. 

It’s also thought to slow down caffeine absorption and metabolism, leading you to experience the effects of caffeine more intensely. Horny goat weed may also interact with antihypertensive drugs, causing a larger reduction in blood pressure.

Consult your healthcare provider and let them know about any medicines or supplements you are taking before going on a supplement containing horny goat weed.

 

 

Is horny goat weed actually effective?

 

There isn’t much evidence supporting its claims as a remedy for osteoporosis or ED. The existing research is inconclusive, and the minuscule amount that exists is limited to lab rats.

This doesn’t preclude the possibility that horny goat weed can be used to treat several conditions, as its proponents say – but we can’t say whether it’s effective or otherwise for sure.

Higher-quality studies on human subjects need to be conducted to determine if it is effective for ED and other sexual health issues.

 

What other treatments can I take for ED?

 

The jury is still out on horny goat weed as an erectile dysfunction treatment, but there are several tried-and-tested ED treatments backed up by scientific scrutiny and real evidence.

In particular, the most well-known treatment is oral PDE5 inhibitor drugs that enhance blood flow to the penis, such as the following:

 

• Sildenafil. Sildenafil is the active ingredient in Viagra, which works in 30 minutes to an hour. Sildenafil relieves ED symptoms for up to 4 to 6 hours per dose.
• Tadalafil. Better known as the active ingredient in Cialis, tadalafil lasts longer than sildenafil, providing ED relief for up to 36 hours, allowing for greater sexual spontaneity.
• Vardenafil. Vardenafil is the active ingredient in Levitra and works similarly to sildenafil, working up to four to five hours after taking it.
• Avanafil. Marketed as Stendra®, avanafil works as fast as 15 to 30 minutes and is known to cause fewer side effects than other PDE5 inhibitors.

 

PDE5 inhibitor drugs come in oral tablet form. They are used before having sex, making them a convenient, effective, and safe choice for treating ED. Consult your doctor about whether taking a PDE5 inhibitor is suitable for your ED symptoms.