What non-medical alternatives to Viagra are there?
|
Penis Pumps |
Weight Loss |
Pelvic Floor Exercises |
Price |
£155
(our price)
|
Free |
Free |
How effective are they? |
90% |
31% |
40% |
How fast do they work? |
7 Minutes |
n/a |
n/a |
How long do they last? |
Up to 30 minutes |
Long-term |
Long-term |
Penis pumps – these are effective devices used to draw blood into the penis to give an erection. They can be used alongside pills like Viagra.
Weight loss – many people with erectile dysfunction are overweight. Being overweight can cause erectile dysfunction so losing weight can help people improve their erections.
Pelvic floor exercises – strengthening the muscles responsible for erections can improve blood flow and make erections easier to get and keep.
Other lifestyle changes – there are a few other lifestyle improvements that can make erections easier, including:
- Quitting smoking
- Cutting down on alcohol
- Avoiding illicit drug use
- Improving physical fitness
- Lowering your stress levels
Non-medical options that are not proven to work
|
Penis Ring |
Jelqing |
Acupuncture |
Herbal Pills |
Price |
Around £2
|
Free |
Around £35 |
Varies |
Penis rings – these are devices that go around the penis or around the base on the penis and testicles. They can be used after penis pumps to keep blood in the penis or on their own to try and improve erections. They aren’t proven to work by themselves.
Jelqing – this is a kind of penis massage meant to improve penis size and erections. There is no proof this technique works for erectile dysfunction.
Acupuncture – since acupuncture is believed to improve blood flow in general, it has been studied as a treatment for erectile dysfunction. Currently there is not enough evidence to prove it works.
Herbal pills – many pills are sold online as herbal alternatives that are meant to work like Viagra. Unlike authentic erectile dysfunction medications, these products aren’t proven to be safe or effective. You can still try them but they are likely to be a waste of money, and could even be unsafe to take. If you do decide to try them, make sure that the product you’re using is safe and properly regulated by the Traditional Herbal Registration scheme.
Some of the natural or herbal remedies advertised for treating erectile dysfunction include:
- horny goat weed
- arginine
- maca
- watermelon
- DHEA
- red ginseng
- propionyl-L carnitine
- melatonin
- vitamin E
- zinc
See our page on Herbal Viagra for more information.