Can pre-workout cause erectile dysfunction?

Pre-workout supplements are designed to boost energy, focus, and endurance during exercise — but can they mess with your sex life? Specifically, can pre-workout cause erectile dysfunction (ED)?

There’s not enough evidence that pre-workout supplements cause ED directly. However, some of the most common ingredients in these products may pose a risk if used in excess. 

Ahead, we’ll explain how pre-workout supplements work, how they can affect erectile function, and whether there are any sexual side effects you should know about. After all, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice your sexual health for a six-pack.  

Pre-workout supplements are dietary supplements many people take before exercise in the hopes of boosting their physical performance. These products typically contain a mixture of ingredients, like caffeine, creatine, and amino acids, which act on different physiological pathways. While these ingredients may theoretically work together to enhance performance, direct evidence is limited.

Purported benefits vary by product since supplements contain different ingredients, but common claims include reduced fatigue, increased endurance, improved strength, support for muscle growth, and post-workout recovery.

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There’s currently not enough evidence showing a direct link between pre-workout supplements and erectile dysfunction. In fact, some common ingredients in these products, like L-arginine, may even support erectile function. That said, research is limited and pre-workout products typically contain much lower doses of l-arginine than the amounts studied for ED. 

Some research also shows that common ingredients found in pre-workout supplements can have a positive impact on some markers of cardiovascular health. Since erections rely on healthy blood flow, these effects could potentially influence erectile function, but research on a link between pre-workout supplements and erections is limited.  

That said, there are some potential ways pre-workout supplements may affect erectile function, such as: 

• Increased blood pressure: While some pre-workout supplements may support cardiovascular health, others have been linked to increases in blood pressure. High blood pressure is a known risk factor for ED because it can damage and narrow blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the penis.

• Hormonal changes: Caffeine is one of the most common ingredients in pre-workout supplements. Some research suggests higher caffeine intake may be linked to lower testosterone levels in men, and low testosterone is one possible cause of ED. That said, the evidence is mixed, and more research is needed before any firm conclusions can be made.

• Poor sleep: Some pre-workout supplements — especially those containing stimulants like caffeine — may interfere with sleep, and poor sleep is a common risk factor for ED.  

• Hidden ingredients and inaccurate dosing: Dietary supplements aren’t regulated the same way prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs are. That means, they could contain undisclosed ingredients or incorrect dosages. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), some products have been found to contain steroids or hormone-like substances, which can disrupt hormone balance and potentially lead to sexual problems like ED.

Pre-workout supplements could potentially affect your sexual health in ways that go beyond erectile function. Depending on the formulation, certain ingredients can influence libido, mood, and physical sensitivity — in either direction, depending on ingredients and individual response. 

• Changes in libido: There’s limited research on how pre-workout supplements affect libido directly. However, stimulants like caffeine may indirectly influence sexual desire by boosting alertness and energy. Yohimbine, another ingredient found in some pre-workout supplements, has been used as an aphrodisiac and has more direct effects on sexual function through its actions on specific receptors. That said, research backing up its efficacy is modest.  

• Performance anxiety: At the same time, stimulants like caffeine can cause anxiety and restlessness, especially when used in excess. Sexual performance anxiety has been linked to issues like ED, premature ejaculation (PE), and reduced sexual desire.  

• Changes in arousal or sensitivity: Some ingredients, like L-citrulline and L-arginine, may boost nitric oxide and increase blood flow, which could potentially support arousal and sensitivity since nitric oxide is so important in pathways important for sexual arousal. Stimulants like caffeine have complex effects on blood vessels, sometimes promoting blood flow and in other cases reducing it, depending on how much you consume and how you react to caffeine.

• More sexual stamina: Pre-workout supplements are famous for their potential to improve endurance during exercise, especially if they contain stimulants like caffeine. This could potentially help support sexual stamina and reduce fatigue during physically strenuous activities, including sex.

• Indirect benefits from exercise: If pre-workout supplements get you to hit the gym more often, that’s no small feat, as consistent exercise could have a positive impact on your sexual health over time. Regular physical activity is associated with better cardiovascular health, increased energy, and a lower risk of sexual dysfunction.

If you’re thinking of trying pre-workout supplements, follow these tips to use them safely and reduce the risk of sexual (or other) side effects:

1. Don’t exceed recommended dosages

Always follow label instructions and consider starting with a small dose to see how you respond. Avoid “dry scooping,” which involves consuming the powder without liquid, as it could increase the risk of taking too much. If you are in doubt about what dosage might be safe, discuss with your healthcare provider. 

2. Avoid taking pre-workout too close to bedtime

Pre-workout supplements can increase energy and alertness, which is great at the gym, but taking them late in the day could interfere with sleep, which can lead to fatigue, irritability, and an increased risk of ED.

3. Stay hydrated

Some pre-workout ingredients, like caffeine, can have mild diuretic effects. Not drinking enough water could contribute to fatigue, headaches, and eventually reduced blood flow to the penis, which can affect sexual function.

4. Monitor your caffeine intake

Consuming too much caffeine could lead to anxiety, poor sleep, and other side effects. Since many pre-workout supplements contain caffeine, it’s easy to exceed recommended amounts if you also drink coffee, soda, or energy drinks throughout the day.

5. Support your overall health

Pre-workout supplements aren’t a replacement for healthy habits. Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting quality sleep, and managing stress all play important roles in your overall health, including sexual health.

6. Talk to a healthcare professional

If you have an underlying health condition or you’re taking other medications, check with your healthcare provider before using pre-workout supplements to make sure they’re safe for you. 

If you take a pre-workout supplement and you have ED, there’s a good chance those two things are happening independently — meaning, your ED is most likely happening due to other causes. 

But whether pre-workout supplements cause ED or not, ED is usually treatable. Treatment options  could include prescription medication, therapy, or healthy lifestyle changes. If you’re having trouble getting or maintaining an erection, consider the following treatment options:

Talk to your provider about prescription ED medication

Prescription medications like Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil) are considered first-line treatments for ED. Both belong to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5) inhibitors, which work in large part by increasing blood flow to the penis.

These medications can be taken on demand, typically about 30–60 minutes before sex. In the case of tadalafil, it can also be taken daily at a lower dose for increased spontaneity.

On an as-needed basis, sildenafil tends to work more quickly but lasts for a shorter period of time. Tadalafil lasts longer and can remain active for up to 36 hours in the body. When taken at a lower daily dose, tadalafil reaches a steady state in the body so you are always ready for sex. 

In addition to traditional tablets, the active ingredients in these medications are also available through Ro in alternative formulations, such as Daily Rise Gummies and dissolvable Ro Sparks. These are considered off-label uses, as they differ from the FDA-approved pill form but contain the same active ingredients, which are approved individually for treating ED.

Consider therapy

Erections don’t just rely on healthy blood flow to work properly. They’re also influenced by your mental and emotional state. Factors like stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship dynamics can all play a role in erectile dysfunction. Talking to a therapist or counselor can help you better understand and manage these issues.

Treat underlying causes of ED

Erectile dysfunction can often be a symptom of an underlying health issue, like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or other chronic conditions that affect blood flow, nerve function, or hormone levels. 

If you haven’t had a recent checkup, ED is your sign that it’s time to schedule one.  Check in with your healthcare provider to rule out any underlying conditions that could be contributing to your symptoms. 

Follow a healthy lifestyle

Sometimes, the most effective treatment for ED is also the most basic. Research shows that factors like physical activity, diet, weight, smoking, and stress levels are closely linked to erectile function. 

Healthy lifestyle changes may help improve blood flow, support hormone health, and reduce risk factors for ED. For example, increasing exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and following a balanced diet have all been linked to improvements in erectile function.

Even small changes, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, going to bed an hour earlier, or swapping out a nightcap for a mocktail, can have a meaningful impact over time.

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If you’re on the hunt for the best pre-workout supplement for men but you’re worried about erectile dysfunction, let’s put your mind at ease: there’s no strong evidence that pre-workout directly causes ED. But some of the ingredients can cause issues if taken in excess.

Here’s what you should know:

• Some ingredients may affect sexual function. Stimulants like caffeine, especially in high doses, can disrupt sleep and increase anxiety, which may contribute to sexual issues.

• Pre-workout supplements are unregulated and might not be safe. The FDA doesn’t regulate dietary supplements and has warned that pre-workout supplements could include unlisted ingredients or unsafe doses.

• Your overall habits matter most. Exercise, sleep, stress, and underlying health conditions can all play a bigger role in sexual health than any single supplement. 

• ED medications can help. If appropriate for you, medications like Viagra or Cialis can help symptoms of ED.