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Does using Vicks VapoRub for erectile dysfunction work?

8 min read

Written by: 

Jamie Ballard

Reviewed by: 

Peter Schlegel, MD, FACS

 and 

Raagini Yedidi, MD

Updated:  Mar 13, 2025

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Reviewed By

Peter Schlegel, MD, FACS

Peter Schlegel, MD, FACS, is a Ro Advisor, board-certified urologist, and male fertility expert.

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Key takeaways

  • Vicks VapoRub is an over-the-counter cough suppressant and topical treatment for muscle pain. 

  • Some other uses of Vicks VapoRub supported by small amounts of scientific research include using it to help with toenail fungus, symptoms of anxiety, or as a mosquito repellent.

  • There’s no evidence that Vicks VapoRub can be used to effectively treat erectile dysfunction (ED), and applying Vicks VapoRub directly to the penis can be dangerous. 

  • There are plenty of safe and effective ways to treat ED, including medications like Viagra or Cialis, injections, penis pumps, and even penile implants.

Here's what we'll cover

Here's what we'll cover

Key takeaways

  • Vicks VapoRub is an over-the-counter cough suppressant and topical treatment for muscle pain. 

  • Some other uses of Vicks VapoRub supported by small amounts of scientific research include using it to help with toenail fungus, symptoms of anxiety, or as a mosquito repellent.

  • There’s no evidence that Vicks VapoRub can be used to effectively treat erectile dysfunction (ED), and applying Vicks VapoRub directly to the penis can be dangerous. 

  • There are plenty of safe and effective ways to treat ED, including medications like Viagra or Cialis, injections, penis pumps, and even penile implants.

Even though erectile dysfunction (ED) is common and nothing to feel ashamed about, many people still feel awkward seeking treatment. Understandably, there’s plenty of interest in home remedies for erectile dysfunction; after all, wouldn’t it be so convenient to cure your erectile function with something already in your medicine cabinet? 

Well, if you’ve seen a social media post that piqued your curiosity about using Vicks VapoRub for erectile dysfunction, you may be disappointed to hear this particular home remedy doesn’t hold any water. The good news is Vicks VapoRub does offer some other benefits, and there are plenty of other proven and safe ways to address your ED. Keep reading to learn more.

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What is Vicks VapoRub, and what does it do? 

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Vicks VapoRub is an over-the-counter ointment that can be used as a cough suppressant and topical pain reliever. The active ingredients in Vicks VapoRub are menthol, eucalyptus oil, and camphor. 

When the ointment is applied to the chest or neck, it temporarily relieves coughing caused by the common cold. In one study published in 2013, researchers found that children with cold symptoms treated with Vicks VapoRub had improved sleep when compared with children with cold symptoms who were given a placebo or no treatment. They also found that children treated with Vicks VapoRub experienced improvements in cough severity and cough frequency compared with the control group. 

Prior research on adults has also found that, in adults with nasal congestion, treatment with menthol improved nasal sensation of airflow. 

When applied to muscles and joints, Vicks VapoRub temporarily relieves minor aches and pains, according to the FDA and the manufacturer. In a 2020 study, researchers found that a menthol-based topical analgesic is more effective than ice for decreasing pain from delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), commonly observed following athletic activity. This is because menthol and camphor are counterirritants. Their overall effect is to desensitize the skin’s nociceptors (nerves that detect and transmit pain signals to the brain). If those nerve cells are desensitized, they send fewer pain signals to the brain. 

Other Vicks VapoRub benefits

You may have seen articles with headlines like “40 Uses for Vicks VapoRub,” but true science-backed uses number far fewer than that. 

The only Vicks VapoRub uses recommended by the manufacturer are treating coughs and muscle soreness. However, there are studies and anecdotal reports of people using Vicks VapoRub or products like it to treat other conditions. Some other potential uses for Vicks VapoRub include: 

  • Possible remedy for toenail fungus. A small study published in 2011 found Vicks VapoRub to be an effective treatment for toenail onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the nails. In the study, 83% of participants had a positive response to Vicks VapoRub treatment for toenail fungus. However, only about 28% saw full recovery at 48 weeks, suggesting it may not be effective as a stand-alone treatment for toenail fungus, which is notoriously difficult to treat.

  • Managing anxiety symptoms. Anecdotal reports on TikTok and Reddit suggest that using Vicks VapoRub can help manage symptoms of anxiety thanks to its powerful scent. While there’s no research concluding that Vicks VapoRub has any direct effect on anxiety, there is at least one animal model study that found ingestion of menthol decreased the level of cortisol (a stress hormone) and anxiety-like behavior. Another study found that inhalation of a specific component in eucalyptus oil decreased anxiety in patients who were about to undergo a medical procedure. While there isn’t enough evidence to make a definitive conclusion, if smelling Vicks VapoRub once in a while helps alleviate symptoms of your anxiety, it is worth trying. If you are having severe anxiety or find home remedies aren’t helping you, be sure to talk to a healthcare provider. 

  • Helps repel mosquitos. While more research is needed, a few studies have found that Vicks VapoRub may be useful as a mosquito repellent. A scientific investigation into protective technologies against the Zika virus found many respondents who said they used Vicks VapoRub to repel mosquitos.  Additionally, a scientific review published in 2013 found that camphor oil—one of the three active ingredients in Vicks VaporRub—can repel certain species of mosquitoes. Again, Vicks VapoRub is probably best used as an adjunctive measure alongside other, more proven options. 

Does using Vicks VapoRub for erectile dysfunction work?

No, it does not. There is no evidence to suggest Vicks VapoRub is an effective or safe treatment for erectile dysfunction. 

Where did this myth come from? It’s hard to trace it to a singular source, but one explanation might be related to the idea that menthol can have minor effects on blood flow.

Quick reminder: When someone gets an erection, smooth muscle in the penis relaxes, allowing blood to flow in and fill the penis. Meanwhile, the veins that drain blood from the penis trap blood within the penis, hopefully resulting in an erection.  

When someone has erectile dysfunction, that process doesn’t go quite so smoothly. Proven treatments for ED (which we’ll discuss below) work by enhancing blood flow into the penis and allowing better muscle relaxation within the penis, as described above. Since menthol has minor effects on blood flow, the mistaken assumption has arisen that it may be a good option for ED as well.

A 2020 review on the vascular effects of menthol concluded that when menthol is applied directly to the skin, it can increase blood flow to that area by triggering a response that involves the body’s nitric oxide, endothelial factors, and nerve signaling. Given that blood flow is a crucial part of getting and maintaining an erection, it’s easy to see how someone might conclude that applying a topical menthol product could result in an erection (no matter how bad an idea that actually is). 

There is also an animal study that suggests TRPM8 channels, which regulate blood flow, exist in a key artery that supplies blood to erectile tissue. These channels are activated by cold or chemicals like menthol. In rats with hypertension, these channels were more sensitive, leading researchers to conclude that targeting these channels in humans with menthol may be useful for treating ED that’s specifically linked to high blood pressure. However, these findings don’t necessarily mean that Vicks VapoRub can be used to treat erectile dysfunction, and it’s not recommended to apply Vicks VapoRub directly to your penis. Let’s see why.

Side effects of using Vicks VapoRub for erectile dysfunction 

There are a few reasons you shouldn’t use Vicks VapoRub on your penis.  A 2010 case report found that some of the active and inactive ingredients in Vicks VaporRub, including turpentine oil, eucalyptus oil, and cedar leaf oil can potentially irritate the skin. Given that the skin on the penis is generally sensitive, it may be more prone to irritation. 

Additionally, Vicks VapoRub is only intended for external use. Putting it on your penis and then in someone else’s mouth, vagina, anus, or any other body part with mucous membranes is unsafe. Not only might it cause irritation, but absorption of camphor—one of the active ingredients in the product—into the body can be dangerous because it is possible to overdose on camphor. Symptoms of camphor poisoning include nausea, vomiting, seizures, unconsciousness, hallucinations, and slowed breathing, among other possible symptoms. 

It’s also worth noting that the concentration of menthol in Vicks VapoRub is only 2.6%, while the topical gel studies included in the 2020 review on menthol had a higher concentration of menthol. So besides being potentially irritating or dangerous, using Vicks VapoRub on penis tissue likely wouldn’t have a high enough concentration of menthol to even make a significant impact.  

Alternatives to using Vicks VapoRub for erectile dysfunction 

If you’re looking to treat erectile dysfunction, there are plenty of options that don’t involve Vicks VapoRub. Keep it in the medicine cabinet for treating cold symptoms and sore muscles, but consider one of these alternatives if you’re looking to treat ED. 

Try oral prescription medications

There are several oral ED medications on the market, mostly belonging to a class of drugs  known as phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (aka PDE5 inhibitors). These drugs help strengthen erections in part by increasing blood flow to the penis. Some options to explore with your healthcare provider are: 

  • Viagra. One of the most well-known ED drugs on the market, Viagra is the branded version of sildenafil.  It usually takes effect within 30 to 60 minutes. (If you’re looking to save money, sildenafil is also available as a non-branded medication).

  • Cialis. Cialis is the branded version of tadalafil, an ED medication that can be taken as-needed or daily, depending on the dosage. Effects can last up to 36 hours, but that doesn’t mean you’ll get spontaneous or continuous erections during that time—just that you’ll be able to get hard when you want to. It’s also available as a generic pill for less money than the brand-name version.

  • Vardenafil. This fast-acting medication can begin to have effects in as little as 10 minutes. It’s available as an oral tablet or a dissolvable tablet. As is the case with Viagra and Cialis, it won’t give you spontaneous erections, but will help you get and maintain one if you’re turned on. 

  • Ro’s Daily Rise Gummies. These gummies from Ro contain tadalafil, the active ingredient in Cialis. They’re designed to be taken every day and allow you to get erections whenever, wherever. 

  • Ro Sparks. This powerful little medication that dissolves under your tongue combines sildenafil and tadalafil, the active ingredients in Viagra and Cialis, respectively. It’s designed to get you hard in 15 minutes on average and keep you ready for up to 36 hours.

Viagra Important Safety Information: Read more about serious warnings and safety info.

Cialis Important Safety Information: Read more about serious warnings and safety info.

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Make lifestyle changes 

Erectile dysfunction can have many different causes, including health conditions, side effects from medications, and emotional factors. 

ED can also be caused by lifestyle factors like excessive alcohol consumption, tobacco consumption, and poor diet. If you suspect your ED is lifestyle-related, consider making changes to your diet and cutting back on alcohol or recreational drugs to see if there’s any improvement. In addition to making it easier to get an erection in the first place, making these changes could also lead to better erections and increase your sexual confidence, improving the sexual experience for you and your partner.

Try devices or implants

Another option if medications and lifestyle changes aren’t working is a penis pump. These devices typically work by having the user place their penis inside a chamber. Using a vacuum or hand pump to create suction in the chamber has the effect of increasing blood flow to the penis, which can help with erections. A small study on men with diabetes and erectile dysfunction found that 75% were able to achieve an erection sufficient for satisfactory sex when using a penis pump. 

Another non-medication option is a penile implant, which involves a device being surgically implanted under the skin of the penis. They’re typically either flexible silicone implants or inflatable implants that fill with a saline solution. This is used after almost all other treatments have been attempted and is usually not something your healthcare provider will recommend upfront since it requires surgery.   

Ask your provider about shockwave therapy

 While this likely won’t be a provider’s first recommendation for ED, shockwave therapy is worth exploring if you haven’t responded to other treatments. It’s thought to work by stimulating blood flow to the penis, though more research is needed. 

A scientific review of existing studies found the most significant effects of shockwave therapy were seen in people with vasculogenic ED (as opposed to other types of ED). Another small study found that shockwave therapy was effective in 60% of participants who did not respond to PDE5 inhibitors, the class of medications to which Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil) belong. 

Bottom line: Vicks VapoRub for ED

Vicks VapoRub may make you feel better when you’ve got a cold or minor muscle aches after a hard workout, but it should not be used to treat erectile dysfunction. There are some other potential ways you can use the product, but there’s no evidence that it’s a safe or effective way to treat ED. 

  • According to the FDA, Vicks VapoRub can be used as a cough suppressant and topical treatment for muscle soreness. Some research suggests it can also be tried in modest doses as a home remedy for toenail fungus, anxiety symptoms, and mosquito bites. 

  • There is no scientific evidence that Vicks VapoRub is an effective or safe treatment for erectile dysfunction, and it’s not recommended to apply Vicks VapoRub directly to your penis. 

  • If you’re looking to treat ED, consider prescription medications, lifestyle changes, devices, or implants designed specifically to treat erectile dysfunction. A healthcare provider can help you find the option that’s right for you. 

DISCLAIMER

If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Erectile Dysfunction

How we reviewed this article

Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.

Editorial Guidelines | Medical Review Process

Current version

March 13, 2025

Written by

Jamie Ballard

Fact checked by

Peter Schlegel, MD, FACS and Raagini Yedidi, MD

About the medical reviewers

Peter Schlegel, MD, FACS

Peter Schlegel, MD, FACS, is a Ro Advisor, board-certified urologist, and internationally acclaimed expert in the treatment of male fertility. For nearly 20 years, Dr. Schlegel served as the chair of Urology at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell. He now focuses on providing the best patient care possible for urologic conditions through his private practice.

Raagini Yedidi, MD

Raagini Yedidi, MD, is an internal medicine resident and medical reviewer for Ro.

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