If you look for the best vitamins for erectile strength, you will find many supplements that make all sorts of claims about improving your erections, testosterone, or sexual performance. The real-world evidence is much more nuanced.
While certain vitamins and minerals play an important role in the normal function of blood vessels, nerves, and other systems that contribute to normal erectile function, these nutrients seldom appear to directly affect men with erectile dysfunction (ED). The most obvious reason to take a vitamin or mineral supplement is to address a genuine deficiency.
So, which vitamins and nutrients are actually worth knowing about – what does the real-world research say? Here's a look at the evidence, focussing on what matters for Australian men.
Can Vitamins Actually Help Erectile Dysfunction?
A confirmed deficiency should be addressed for general health; whether that improves ED depends on the cause and is uncertain. An erection is the result of complex interactions between several physiological systems, including blood flow, hormone levels, nerve function, and even psychological state and libido. Nutritional deficiencies can impact normal function, but addressing a deficiency isn't the same thing as taking a vitamin or mineral to specifically address ED.
As it stands, no vitamin has been proven to be an effective treatment for men with erectile dysfunction who already have adequate levels of that nutrient. That's an important difference because supplements are often hyped up as treatments, when the real-world evidence shows otherwise.
Vitamin D, zinc, vitamin B12, folate and amino acids have all been investigated to some degree, but the evidence varies considerably between the different nutrients.
Vitamin D: Common in Australia, But Is It a Cure for ED?
Vitamin D is one of the nutrients most associated with erectile dysfunction. There is a logical biological basis for the connection, since the hormone plays an important role in vascular function, and blood vessels are critical to normal sexual function.
Observational studies have found a link between low vitamin D and poorer erectile function, but these studies cannot establish a cause-and-effect relationship. In other words, being deficient in vitamin D does not necessarily cause erectile dysfunction, and taking this hormone cannot be assumed to improve sexual performance.
How Common is Vitamin D Deficiency in Australia?
It turns out that vitamin D deficiency is actually quite common in Australia. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics National Health Measures Survey 2022–24, 20.6% of Australian adults had vitamin D deficiency, defined as a blood concentration below 50 nmol/L. The prevalence was higher among adults aged 18–29, at 29.2%. The survey also found seasonal differences in vitamin D levels, with deficiency more common during winter.
Does Vitamin D Supplementation Improve Erections?
This is where the evidence gets more conflicting. The Australian D-Health Trial is one of the largest randomised controlled trials. It followed 11,530 Australian men aged 60-84 who were given either 60,000 IU of vitamin D or a placebo each month.
After three years, researchers assessed ED in 8,920 of the men. They found that the prevalence was 58.8% in the treatment group and 59.0% in the placebo group. This means there was no significant difference between the two groups.
The researchers concluded that vitamin D supplementation showed no preventative effect against ED. This large trial found no reduction in ED prevalence after three years of supplementation in older men; it did not establish whether treating a confirmed deficiency improves existing ED.
Does this mean people shouldn't worry about vitamin D deficiency?
Not necessarily. Vitamin D still has many other important health benefits and if you are truly deficient, it's a good idea to bring it up with your doctor. The main point is that there is currently no strong evidence that taking extra vitamin D will improve your erection quality specifically.
The Takeaway: If you are worried about having a vitamin D deficiency, talk to your doctor about testing your levels. If you have a confirmed vitamin D deficiency, your doctor can advise whether supplementation or other treatment is appropriate. However, if you are not deficient in vitamin D, there is currently no strong evidence that you should take vitamin D to improve erectile dysfunction.
Zinc: Essential Mineral, Not a Proven Erectile Dysfunction Cure
Zinc is an essential nutrient that plays an integral part in many bodily functions, including the normal functioning of the immune system, enzyme activity, and the reproductive tract.
Does Zinc Help With Erections?
There is limited evidence that zinc supplements can improve erectile dysfunction. One randomised, double-blind crossover trial, published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Toxicology, looked at men with type 2 diabetes, diabetic nephropathy and erectile dysfunction. These men received either 30 mg of elemental zinc per day or a placebo. The researchers found no significant benefit of zinc on erectile dysfunction.
This was a small study, and it failed to isolate men with zinc deficiency, so it is unclear if there would have been a beneficial effect in men with an actual zinc deficiency.
The bottom line is that zinc is an essential nutrient, but more zinc is not necessarily better.
How Much is Too Much Zinc?
The upper level of intake for zinc in Australia is 40 mg per day for adults, including zinc from food, water and supplements. Too much zinc can cause adverse effects, such as impaired copper status, so it is best to avoid high-dose zinc supplements without a specific nutritional reason. If you follow a varied and balanced diet, you probably do not need additional zinc, as it is found in a variety of foods, including meat, seafood, dairy products, legumes, grains and nuts.
The Takeaway: Zinc is essential for normal health, but the evidence for its use in the treatment of ED in men who are not deficient is currently insufficient.
Vitamin B12 and Folate: Possible Links, But More Research Is Needed
Vitamin B12 and folate play vital roles in normal red blood cell production, cell metabolism, and the processing of homocysteine. Homocysteine is an amino acid circulating in the blood. Abnormal levels have been investigated in relation to blood vessel health, including possible effects on erectile function.
Observational studies have found differences in B12, folate, and homocysteine levels between men with and without ED, but they do not establish a cause-and-effect relationship.
A cross-sectional study of 84 men with ED and 42 healthy control subjects found lower median vitamin B12 and folate levels and raised homocysteine levels in the ED group.
However, these findings cannot determine if low B12 or folate levels contribute to ED, if ED is related to other factors which affect these nutrients, or whether correcting the levels would improve erections.
Who May Need to Pay Particular Attention to B12?
People who are at increased risk of deficiency in B12 should speak to their GP about being tested for it. This may apply to people who have certain diets, problems with absorption or long-term use of certain medicines, depending on their individual circumstances. If deficiency is confirmed, addressing this is important, but B12 or folate supplements should not be viewed as a standalone treatment for ED.
The takeaway: Low B12, low folate, and elevated homocysteine may be a factor in some men with ED, but the link is not strong enough to suggest that these supplements can improve erections.
L-Citrulline: Promising Early Evidence, But Not Proven Treatments
L-citrulline and L-arginine are amino acids, not vitamins. They are sometimes associated with erectile function because they are part of the nitric oxide pathway, which is important in relaxing blood vessels.
What does the research say?
A small study of men with mild ED was conducted using L-citrulline. The study consisted of 24 men who took a placebo for one month and 1.5 g of L-citrulline per day for a second month. Of the 24 men taking L-citrulline, the erection hardness changed from mild ED to normal erectile function in 12 of them (50%), versus 2 out of 24 men (8.3%) taking the placebo.
It's an intriguing result, but the study is small, short-term, and single-blind. Larger, well-designed trials are needed to determine whether L-citrulline has a meaningful role in ED treatment.
If you are thinking about taking supplements that could impact blood pressure or blood flow, speak with your doctor or pharmacist first, especially if you are already taking medications for cardiovascular conditions or erectile dysfunction.
For more information on what non-prescription options are available in Australia, you can read our guide to non-prescription ED treatments in Australia.
Are “Natural” Male Enhancement Supplements Safe?
The term ‘natural’ is not necessarily an indicator of safety, or even of clinical validation or efficacy. The Therapeutic Goods Administration has previously taken action against the promotion of Natural Vigra VIAGRA as an herbal alternative. TGA laboratory analysis revealed that these products contained a therapeutic dose of the pharmaceutical ingredient sildenafil, which is a prescription-only medicine in Australia.
It is important to note that products bought from overseas suppliers are at risk of containing ingredients not approved in Australia. Therefore, overseas suppliers may differ in their standards of quality control and may not provide products that are consistent in quality or that have been tested and approved in Australia, as therapeutic goods need to be for the Australian market.
When purchasing vitamins or medicines that are regulated as therapeutic goods, look for an AUST number on the pack labelling, and check that the product is listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). An AUST number applies only to therapeutic goods. Some products sold as foods, such as fortified foods, are regulated as foods rather than therapeutic goods and do not carry an AUST number.
The TGA classifies different therapeutic goods using an AUST number. AUST R and AUST L(A) products have been assessed for their efficacy, while products with an AUST L do not undergo efficacy assessment by the TGA before being placed on the market. An AUST L(A) assessment covers the product's approved claims (indications); it is not proof that the product treats ED. An AUST number is therefore not an indicator of efficacy. The regulatory status of a product and the evidence supporting a particular clinical claim are two separate matters.
What Matters More Than Any Single Vitamin?
If you are looking to support erectile function, the evidence suggests that we look at the bigger picture. Erectile function is largely governed by the state of your vascular system. Hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, lack of exercise, and obesity can all contribute to ED. ED can also be an early indicator of cardiovascular or metabolic issues, which is why it should not be dismissed as a vitamin deficiency.
A GP would take into account several factors when assessing ED, including:
- Blood pressure
- Blood sugar
- Cholesterol
- Current medications
- Hormone levels
- Cardiovascular risk
- Lifestyle
- Psychological factors
- Other illnesses
Depending on your individual circumstances, you may need to have blood tests or additional investigations. We discuss the relationship between body weight and erectile function in our article on belly fat and erectile dysfunction.
You can read our guide to reversing ED naturally, which provides an overview of the lifestyle factors that can contribute to sexual health issues. The bottom line is that while supplements may well have a place in addressing an actual deficiency, they must be viewed as part of a wider strategy to address erectile dysfunction.
When Should You Speak to a GP About ED?
Infrequent cases of erectile dysfunction may occur in several men, which do not always indicate a serious problem. If these issues become frequent, then it is advisable to consult a doctor.
ED may be associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hormone levels, medication side effects, and other conditions. Instead of experimenting with several supplements on your own, you should identify the underlying health issue and its potential solution.
Talk to DirectMeds
If you have chronic erectile dysfunction issues or have concerns about whether a vitamin, medication, disease, or another condition may be responsible for ED, it is advisable to consult a qualified health professional. DirectMeds can help you take the next step with an online ED assessment from an Australian-registered healthcare professional.
Frequently Asked Questions for Best Vitamins for Erectile Strength:
What is the best vitamin for erectile dysfunction?
There isn't one proven "best" vitamin for ED. . Correcting a confirmed deficiency (such as low vitamin D) may be important for general health, but whether it improves ED is uncertain. Vitamin D deficiency is relatively common in Australia, but vitamin D supplements have not been proven to improve ED in a large Australian trial.
Does vitamin D help erectile dysfunction?
Low vitamin D levels have been associated with ED, but the large Australian D-Health Trial found no reduction in ED prevalence after three years of supplementation in older men; it did not establish whether treating a confirmed deficiency improves existing ED. Correcting a proven vitamin D deficiency may or may not help ED.
Does zinc help with erection?
Zinc is essential for normal health, but there's no good evidence that extra zinc helps erections. A small trial of men with type 2 diabetes and ED found no benefit from 30 mg zinc daily.
Can low B12 or folate cause erectile dysfunction?
Low B12 and folate and high homocysteine have been found in some men with ED, but this doesn't prove that they cause ED. If you think you're at risk of being deficient in B12 or folate, ask your GP if you need to have blood tests.
Do L-citrulline or L-arginine supplements work?
A small study found that 1.5 g of L-citrulline helped men with mild ED to have harder erections. But the study involved only 24 men and was short-term, so it can't prove that L-citrulline is an effective treatment for ED.
Are male enhancement supplements safe?
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has identified prescription medicines in products sold as natural sexual enhancement products such as Natural Vigra. Some products bought from overseas sites may not meet Australian standards for therapeutic goods.
How much zinc should an adult man ingest per day?
The Australian recommended dietary intake for adult men is 14 mg of zinc per day. The upper level of intake for adults is 40 mg of zinc per day from food, water and supplements combined. Taking more than the upper level of intake on a regular basis can increase the risk of harmful effects such as decreased copper status.
Should I take vitamins if I have erectile dysfunction?
If you have erectile dysfunction, the first step should be to consult a general practitioner (GP). There may be several factors contributing to erectile dysfunction that need to be addressed. Unless a specific deficiency has been identified, taking additional vitamins is not an established treatment for the underlying causes of erectile dysfunction.
