Is turmeric good for erectile dysfunction?

Finding it hard to stay hard? If you’re dealing with erectile dysfunction (ED), you might be on the hunt for natural and prescription remedies that can help you keep it up. One remedy that’s gained attention is turmeric, which raises the question: Is turmeric good for erectile dysfunction?

Curcuma longa (AKA turmeric) is a plant native to Asia that's long been used for culinary, medicinal, and even cosmetic purposes. Curcumin is the main active component in the plant, which is also where turmeric’s famous vibrant yellow-orange color derives from. This doesn’t come from the plant’s leaves, but rather from its rhizomes, which are underground horizontal stems. 

The medicinal use of turmeric dates back 4,000 years. Scientists now know that the curcumin found in turmeric is what’s responsible for the majority of the plant’s long-reported health benefits, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Researchers continue to study the plant’s uses in modern medicine today.

But, does turmeric help sexually? Can this spice help keep things hot in the bedroom if you’re having erection trouble? The short answer is probably not, but read on to learn more about turmeric for ED.

Turmeric might be able to indirectly help erectile dysfunction by improving overall health over longer periods of time in combination with a healthy diet and lifestyle. However, we don’t have any hard and fast scientific research that shows the effectiveness of turmeric for ED.

Some studies suggest curcumin’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects may help address some underlying causes of ED, but we don’t have the necessary human studies to prove that turmeric alone can treat or cure ED. The only direct research on turmeric and ED was done on animals — and let’s just say that research about mice penises doesn’t necessarily directly translate to human penises.

So if you’re asking, “Does turmeric help with erectile dysfunction?” — the short answer is, not directly, at least based on the scientific literature we have right now.

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Sprinkling turmeric into your diet, even in relatively large amounts, likely isn’t enough to reap significant health benefits, which is why many people opt for turmeric supplements that are high in curcumin.

If you decide you want to take a turmeric  or curcumin supplement, research shows up to 8,000 mg per day of curcumin has been tolerated in the short term. However, commercially available turmeric and curcumin supplements typically range from 500 mg to 2,000 mg per dose. Since there is no research specifically backing turmeric for erectile dysfunction, there are no official guidelines for how much you should take to experience sexual benefits.

Regardless of your motive for taking turmeric supplements, check with your healthcare provider. They can provide guidance on what dose might be safe for you, since everyone’s body is different. 

There are some potential health benefits of turmeric, but does turmeric help sexually? Some of curcumin’s general health benefits could translate to sexual benefits, including:

• May reduce inflammation: Chronic, low-grade inflammation is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction. Research suggests that curcumin supplementation can help reduce inflammation over time. If inflammation is playing a role in your ED, curcumin could potentially help.

• May reduce oxidative stress: Oxidative stress is another risk factor for erectile dysfunction. Curcumin acts as an antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals and combat oxidative stress to protect against cell damage. 

• May improve blood flow: Good blood flow is key for harder erections. Researchers have found that curcumin may help improve endothelial function, which is linked to the health of your blood vessels. It can also boost the availability of nitric oxide, which helps improve blood flow, too. 

• Could boost testosterone levels: Low testosterone may contribute ​​to erectile dysfunction, and it can result in a lower sex drive, too. While there are no direct studies in humans, some animal studies have investigated the impact of turmeric on testosterone. One study on hypertensive rats, for example, found that turmeric and ginger could increase their testosterone levels. However, it’s unclear whether this would translate to humans (with or without high blood pressure), and more evidence is needed for improved understanding.

• May improve sperm motility: A couple of small lab-based studies suggest that curcumin, one of the main compounds in turmeric, might support sperm motility, or the sperm’s ability to swim, in some individuals. While this doesn’t directly impact erectile function, it could benefit fertility. However, these studies were “in vitro,” meaning they were conducted in a lab setting outside of the human body, so the results may not reflect how turmeric actually affects sperm motility in real-world conditions.

If you take too much turmeric, you may experience some unpleasant side effects, most commonly related to the digestive system. 

When consuming turmeric in food, you won’t be taking in very high amounts of it (yes, even if you’re heaping it into recipes!). Taking too much usually only happens with turmeric supplements, which contain curcumin in much higher concentrations. Additionally, some formulations are designed for increased bioavailability, meaning your body can absorb even more of the compound than it usually would. For example, some turmeric supplements also contain piperine — a compound found in black pepper — which can greatly improve curcumin’s bioavailability. In rare cases, prolonged use of high-dose, highly bioavailable curcumin has been associated with liver injury. 

Remember: While turmeric is generally safe in moderation and when taken from reputable sources, there’s no scientifically-proven added benefit to taking more than recommended. This is especially true for benefits unproven by research, such as sexual benefits. Follow dosage guidelines on the supplement bottle and check with your healthcare provider before starting a high-dose turmeric supplement (or any other new supplement, for that matter). You can also ask your provider for advice on whether you should opt for a high bioavailability supplement formulation or not. 

Turmeric side effects

You might not experience any side effects from turmeric, but some people experience gastrointestinal upset from taking too much, such as: 

• Diarrhea 

• Nausea 

• Vomiting

• Acid reflux

• Constipation

Turmeric interactions

Certain medications don’t mix well with turmeric, including (but not limited to):

• Anticoagulants and antiplatelets: If you take anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as Warfarin or any antiplatelet medications, it’s best to avoid taking turmeric or curcumin supplements, since it can increase the risk of bleeding. 

• Chemotherapy: Curcumin may interact with chemotherapy treatments for cancer, making treatment less effective.

• Medications that lower blood sugar: If you have diabetes and are taking medications to lower your blood sugar, it’s best to avoid curcumin since it might also lower your blood sugar, risking hypoglycemia. 

Always consult a healthcare provider to determine if a supplement is safe to take with your existing medications and any other supplements you take.

Who should avoid taking turmeric?

Turmeric supplements from reputable sources should be safe for most people when taken within recommended doses. However, some people should avoid taking them. You should always check with a healthcare professional, but here are a few instances where turmeric supplements may not be right for you:

• If you have liver disease: Due to the potential risk of liver injury from high doses of turmeric, it’s best to avoid turmeric supplements if you already struggle with liver disease, like hepatitis or cirrhosis. 

• If you’re iron deficient/anemic: Based on animal studies in mice, curcumin might further impact your body’s iron, so it’s best to avoid it.

• If you have an increased risk of bleeding: As mentioned above, curcumin has mild antiplatelet effects which can increase bleeding risk in some people. Those with increased risk of bleeding including people taking medications like aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel, rivaroxaban, and apixaban should discuss with their healthcare provider before adding this supplement into their routine.

In general, if you have any pre-existing health conditions, check with a healthcare provider before taking any supplements, since they could potentially affect your condition. 

Looking for more scientifically-backed options to help with your erection troubles? You can try the following lifestyle changes and medications.

Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly

Obesity is a known risk factor for erectile dysfunction, with research suggesting that people with a high BMI have up to a three times higher risk of ED than those at a healthy weight. Studies show that weight loss can improve erectile function, and eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly can help you achieve a calorie deficit and lose weight. 

But exercise is good for erectile function, even without obesity in the mix, for many reasons, including improved blood flow throughout the body, reduced cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and even positive impacts on overall mood.

Take care of your mental health

Stress, anxiety, and depression can all contribute to sexual function, including your ability to get and maintain an erection. If you frequently struggle with mental health symptoms, they could be contributing to your ED. Another clue that psychological factors are playing a role in your ED is if you are still getting normal nighttime and morning erections but struggle with erections when it comes time for intercourse. Working with a mental health professional, like a therapist or psychiatrist, can help you manage your symptoms. 

If your mental health struggles are more specific to your sexual function (like performance anxiety), a sex therapist can help.   

Consider prescription medications

Medications known as PDE5 inhibitors (phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors) are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat ED. These meds are often first-line treatments that help relax your blood vessels and increase blood flow to your penis when aroused. Common PDE5 inhibitors include:

• Viagra (sildenafil)

• Cialis (tadalafil) 

• Vardenafil 

• Stendra (avanafil)

Other options include Ro Sparks (under-the-tongue dissolving pills that contain both sildenafil and tadalafil) and Ro’s Daily Rise Gummies (once-daily gummies containing tadalafil). While these last two options are not specifically FDA-approved for the treatment of ED, their active ingredients have been individually FDA approved for the treatment of ED.

Speak with your healthcare provider to see if these medications might be right for you.

Try injections

Erectile dysfunction injections are an additional prescription option when traditional oral ED meds aren’t the best fit. Medications in the injections include prostaglandin E1, papaverine, and phentolamine. These injections (yes, directly into the penis) dilate the blood vessels, allowing for better blood flow so you can get hard and stay hard. Once a healthcare provider prescribes them to you, you can administer the injections yourself at home. 

Give penis pumps a try

While most people think of penis pumps as a tool to make your penis bigger (sorry, but they won’t have any permanent effects), they actually can help with getting an erection. A good ole’ fashion penis pump (formally known as a vacuum erection device) temporarily increases blood flow to the penis, and a recent meta-analysis found that using one can help improve “intercourse success rate” (i.e., getting hard enough to have penetrative vaginal sex) for those with erectile dysfunction that doesn’t respond to oral medications like Viagra.

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So, does turmeric help with erectile dysfunction? We don’t have enough evidence to say yes. While curcumin supplements may improve aspects of your overall health, which might in turn lead to sexual benefits over time, we can’t say for sure that turmeric can help treat ED.

• We don’t have solid research: Scientists haven’t specifically studied whether or not turmeric can help erectile dysfunction in humans. While we do have evidence that turmeric can result in general health benefits, claims that turmeric can benefit you sexually are theoretical. Plus, we don’t know what dosage of turmeric or curcumin would even result in said benefits for ED. Given the way turmeric or curcumin are thought to benefit the body, it’s very unlikely turmeric or curcumin could ever be considered a short-term treatment option for ED. 

• Opt for more legit treatments. If you have ED, it’s better to go with clinically proven treatments, such as prescription medications from your healthcare provider, like Viagra or Cialis. These are far more likely to get the results you want (and in a much more timely manner) than popping turmeric capsules. If these medications don’t work for you, speak with your healthcare provider. Sometimes prescription medications require adjustments that your healthcare provider can help you navigate. If you find they are still not working, speak with your healthcare provider about trying other options including prescription injections or even a penis pump.

• Address the underlying causes: Since there are various possible underlying causes of ED, it’s essential to identify what’s behind your specific case. A healthcare professional can help you determine the cause and how to address it, whether that’s exercising more, eating healthy, tending to your mental health, or all of the above.