However, not all men want to begin their ED treatment with prescription drugs. And, if you find yourself among those men, then you may have thought of, or are still thinking of, taking an L-arginine supplement for ED.

Key facts

  • L-arginine is an amino acid that helps increase nitric oxide levels in your body, which, in turn, boosts blood flow.
  • Recent research on using L-arginine for ED are encouraging, but the results vary.
  • Certain studies show that pairing L-arginine with another ED treatment has generally been more effective.
  • Large doses of L-arginine may cause unpleasant side effects like gastrointestinal discomfort and nausea.

L-arginine is an amino acid known as the building block of protein. L-arginine has been demonstrated to reduce blood pressure by increasing nitric oxide, relaxing blood vessels in the body. L-arginine looks to be effective at lowering blood pressure than implementing lifestyle changes such as a proper diet and regular exercise.

As nitric oxide is central to improved blood flow in the penis to obtain and keep an erection, shouldn’t this mean that anything that increases nitric oxide should improve your erections? Well, let’s take a look at what science has got to say.

 

How does L-arginine interact with ED?

In a 1999 study, L-arginine was shown to have been no more effective in treating ED than a placebo.

On the other hand, a meta-analysis spanning ten individual studies that there were encouraging indications that L-arginine may help treat ED. The researchers determined that L-arginine dosages ranging from 1500-5000 mg provided drastic improvements for ED patients compared to those on a placebo.

On the whole, the research is inconclusive. However, if you’re interested in taking L-arginine for its sexual performance benefits, it appears that taking a supplement around the range above would be best. Nevertheless, discuss your plans with your doctor.

What are the side effects of L-arginine?

Based on the same meta-analysis, only one out of 50 individuals on L-arginine felt any unpleasant side effects. When taken with other substances, it was found that around 16 subjects experienced mild side effects like itching, headache, and insomnia. Generally, L-arginine is safe for consumption – even doses as much as 15,000 mg a day were found to have been well-tolerated. Adverse side effects were found to have been more common in high-dosage supplementation (15,000-30,000 mg daily), and common side effects are gastrointestinal discomfort such as cramps, apart from nausea and diarrhea.

Is L-arginine effective when combined with other supplements?

L-arginine may be more effective when combined with other similar supplements of its ilk. Other studies have shown that L-arginine may be more effective when combined with other treatments. This includes taking L-arginine as a complementary therapy to conventional prescription medication. Nevertheless, you should inform your doctor if you’re taking or planning to take L-ariginine, regardless of whether you want to consider a prescription ED drug like Viagra or Cialis, as there may be contraindications to think about.

How does L-arginine interact with tadalafil?

A study on tadalafil revealed that participants who were given L-arginine and the prescription ED medication enjoyed better results and satisfaction from their treatment than those who were just given either L-arginine or 5 mg tadalafil. If you’re already taking ED drugs and planning to add L-arginine to your stack, ask your doctor before doing so.

While up to 15,000 mg of daily L-arginine seems to be safe, it is ideal to start in smaller dosages to see how your body reacts. L-arginine is readily available in pharmacies and online in powder and capsule form, as well as being a common ingredient in testosterone booster supplements. As the FDA does not regulate L-arginine as a dietary supplement, which is why it’s crucial to purchase your supply from a trusted company.

The beneficial effects of L-arginine on blood flow is linked to its levels of concentration in the bloodstream. As with most supplements, building up the beneficial nutrients in your system takes time and regular supplementation. It may take as much as three months before you see tangible benefits (but it could be earlier, just the same.

What is ED?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the most common sexual problem in men. ED is characterized by the inability or the difficulty to obtain and maintain an erection long enough for vigorous, satisfying sexual intercourse. ED may be an occasional thing for most people, but one in 3 men between 18-59 has experienced ED symptoms one time or another. The frequency of ED increases with age.

It’s not simple, either. Certain chronic illnesses increase the risk of an individual experiencing erectile difficulties, apart from hypertension and diabetes.

Fortunately, there are a plethora of available treatments. PDE5 inhibitors (Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra) are the primary treatment for ED, apart from other more invasive options.

There are, in fact, natural alternatives to prescription medication, but a lot of them require further studies to state their effectiveness at treating erectile dysfunction conclusively. For instance, horny goat weed has been shown to possess PDE5-inhibiting compounds like prescription ED medications. Korean ginseng has also shown potential in treating ED, but more research is necessary with the caveat.

Another example is maca root, which may boost libido and help treat symptoms of erectile dysfunction. Regardless of what supplement you choose to achieve your objectives, always make it a habit to discuss your sexual health concerns with your doctor. They will be in the best position to determine what course of action you should take based on your particular state of health.