Dealing with erectile dysfunction can be an isolating situation. Although it affects over 50% of males between the ages of 40 and 70, it's not something that guys discuss freely with one another [1].
Often, looking for ways to treat erectile dysfunction or improve sexual function is left to those late-night doom scrolls and Google searches. If that's you, you may have read about men who are taking L-arginine to treat erectile dysfunction.
But what is L-arginine? Is treating erectile dysfunction with L-arginine an option that might work for you, and what are the risks when it comes to taking L-arginine supplements?
In this article, we'll break down everything you need to know about the relationship between L-arginine and ED, as well as what the science says about treating erectile dysfunction.
What is L-arginine?
Let's start with the basics. L-arginine is an amino acid that works to help the body produce proteins, which helps with your body's daily functions [2]. As an amino acid, L-arginine works with other amino acids to help build and repair cells and tissue in the body, as well as helping wounds heal.
It also helps your body's digestive process by working to break down food and helps with hormone regulation, immune system function, and your daily energy levels [2][4].
Unlike the 9 essential amino acids that your body can't produce on its own [2], L-arginine is classified as a "semi-essential" or "conditional" amino acid.
What this means is that although your body can (and does) produce L-arginine in normal conditions, you also need to make sure you're eating enough protein-rich foods to keep your L-arginine levels up [2].
This is especially important during times of illness or stress, as your body may not produce enough L-arginine to meet its needs [3].
You can find L-arginine in foods like red meat, poultry, fish, dairy products and nuts, but if you're experiencing erectile dysfunction, you may want to consider L-arginine supplements.
L-arginine is often used to treat erectile dysfunction and many other conditions, including migraines [2].
What science says about taking L-arginine for ED
Although every person is different, L-arginine supplements have been shown to help improve the symptoms of erectile dysfunction and restore sexual function.
Taking L-arginine for erectile dysfunction works by increasing your nitric oxide (NO) levels, which helps to relax and expand your body's blood vessels.
Expanding the blood vessels can be important for sexual function, as it improves blood flow to the penis, which helps promote better erections and erectile function.
Scientific studies have shown that L-arginine can work as an effective erectile dysfunction treatment for men who are dealing with mild to moderate ED, but that is not effective in severe cases of erectile dysfunction.
Of course, it also depends on what's causing your erectile dysfunction in the first place, as taking L-arginine will only be effective for some of these causes.
One randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted in 2022 found that when men with mild to moderate ED took "relatively high doses of L-arginine as a single compound for three months", it "significantly improved" their symptoms of erectile dysfunction, but that it was not effective for patients with "severe vasculogenic" erectile dysfunction [5].
Another study found that 74% of men who were taking L-arginine for mild to moderate ED found that their erectile dysfunction symptoms improved after taking 2 grams, 3 times a day over 3 months [6].
Taking L-arginine supplements as an erectile dysfunction treatment is generally safe for most people, but it can interact with other treatments, particularly if you're already taking something for erectile dysfunction, or if you're taking blood thinners.
If you have any concerns or questions — either about taking L-arginine or about erectile dysfunction in general — your best bet will always be to speak with a health professional directly.
At Pilot, we know that a lot of men don't feel comfortable talking about erectile dysfunction in person, which is why we set up a way for you to treat erectile dysfunction at home.
We're proud to report that over 90% of men have seen an improvement in their erectile dysfunction symptoms with Pilot's ED treatments and that over 75% of men were able to achieve lasting erections with treatment.
Our team of Aussie practitioners are there when you need to ask questions and adjust treatment if needed, and you don't even have to leave the comfort of your own home. We also send our treatments in discrete packaging, so no posties or prying neighbours will know a thing.
If you're ready to treat your erectile dysfunction symptoms and get your sex life back on track, take the quiz today.
Are there any potential risks?
Although taking L-arginine for erectile function is generally safe for most people, there are still potential risks to consider and be aware of.
Like many other medical treatments, some people experience some side effects while taking L-arginine.
These can include gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea, stomach bloating and cramps, but they're usually mild and often resolve over time once your body adjusts to the L-arginine supplement [2].
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to an L-arginine supplement may include hives, itching or rash, and require medical attention. If you experience chest pain or difficulty breathing, call a doctor right away.
More seriously, people with lower blood pressure (hypotension) may experience dizziness, fainting or even shock, in extreme cases [2].
This is because L-arginine works to relax the body's blood vessels by increasing the body's production of nitric oxide, which can lower blood pressure levels.
Likewise, L-arginine can interact with medical treatments and other substances, even herbal supplements [7].
Taking L-arginine with another erectile dysfunction treatment that's already working to relax your blood vessels can be dangerous, as it could cause your blood pressure to drop excessively [7].
Combining L-arginine with blood thinning treatments may lead to an increased risk of bleeding, as the L-arginine relaxes blood vessels and increases blood flow.
People with asthma or allergies may also find that taking L-arginine for erectile function may worsen their asthma symptoms [7]. As your body works to produce more nitric oxide, it could potentially lead to airway constriction, but for otherwise healthy people, the risk is generally low. However, best to consult your healthcare professional before taking it.
For people who are already carriers of the herpes virus, be it genital herpes or cold sores, taking L-arginine may promote the growth and reactivation of herpes. If you have an active herpes outbreak, you should be cautious about using any L-arginine supplements.
Finally, taking high doses of L-arginine may lead to an increased risk of developing kidney or liver conditions, but this is generally only if you take well above the recommended dose. This is especially applicable if you have any pre-existing kidney or liver issues.
With this being said, taking L-arginine for improved erectile function is considered generally safe for most individuals, but it's always best to speak with a doctor or healthcare provider about what's right for you.
At Pilot, we have treatment options that are clinically proven to improve erectile function, prescribed by some of Australia's leading clinicians. You can learn more here.
Sources of L-arginine
Outside of L-arginine supplements, L-arginine can be found in many protein-rich foods from both animal and plant-based sources.
Animal-based sources that are high in L-arginine include meats, like beef, pork, chicken and turkey, as well as fish options like salmon and tuna. Dairy products like milk, yoghurt, and cheese also contain moderate amounts of L-arginine.
As for plant-based sources, soybeans, tofu, tempeh, and edamame are excellent plant-based sources of L-arginine.
Nuts and seeds — like pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and walnuts — are also good sources of L-arginine.
Legumes like chickpeas, lentils, kidney beans and peas also contain L-arginine, and whole grains like oats, quinoa and brown rice also contain moderate amounts of L-arginine.
Finally, dark chocolate, particularly ones that are high in cocoa, also contains a small amount of L-arginine.
For those who follow a plant-based or vegetarian diet, foods like legumes, nuts, seeds, and soy products can provide a sufficient amount of L-arginine. However, if dietary sources are insufficient, supplements may be considered, though it’s always best to consult a healthcare provider before adding them to your routine.
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