ED gummies, mints, and drops: do they work?

These days, it seems like there’s a gummy, a chewable, or another over-the-counter (OTC) option for every ailment, and unsurprisingly, erectile dysfunction (ED) is among them. But just because there seem to be tons of ED gummies available, are they really all that effective? It depends, according to research.

Some of the ED gummies contain evidence-backed ingredients, such as tadalafil (Cialis) that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat ED. Others feature various herbs and vitamins purported to help you get and maintain an erection. Although easily accessible and commonly available sans-prescription, these ED gummies are not approved by the FDA and have not been clinically proven to treat ED.

Here’s everything you need to know about ED gummies, from what to consider before purchasing male enhancement gummies to alternative treatments for ED that might be worth considering instead.

Erectile dysfunction gummies are supplements that supposedly help men get and maintain an erection as well as potentially amp up libido. They’re typically available OTC (i.e. without a prescription), although this depends on the product’s ingredients. ED gummies containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), for example, might only be available at cannabis dispensaries, depending on state laws around cannabis. And those that contain prescription ED medications require an Rx from a healthcare provider—as is the case with Daily Rise Gummies, which contain tadalafil, the active ingredient in Cialis. 

Common ingredients in ED gummies 

If not already evident, the ingredients found in ED gummies vary across brands. 

While some are composed of supplements and herbs—e.g. maca root, ginseng, horny goat weed—others feature cannabidiol (CBD)—i.e. the part of the cannabis plant that won’t get you high—as the main ingredient. 

Here, some of the ingredients found in ED gummies:

• CBD 

• THC

• Maca root

• Ginseng

• Horny goat weed

• Tongkat ali

• L-arginine

• Tadalafil 

As mentioned above, the main active ingredient in many ED gummies is CBD, which is extracted from the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. This oil won’t make you feel high like THC does, but it’s been marketed (and studied) for its relaxation effects. Scientists think cannabinoids, such as CBD, work by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which calms the nervous system and peripheral nervous system.

Some studies claim CBD can be helpful in alleviating anxiety in people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some evidence indicates that it may also offer benefits to people with schizophrenia and depression.

Other studies have found that men with anxiety are more likely to experience ED because being anxious can sometimes affect sexual performance and sex drive, which may be another reason that CBD might help with ED. 

But how? If used before sex, the thought is that CBD gummies for men or other similar OTC products can alleviate symptoms of ED by decreasing performance anxiety and lowering blood pressure, which can, in turn, improve circulation and promote blood flow to the penis. 

Still, there’s not enough data to make the blanket assumption that CBD—and the gummies that contain it—are an effective treatment option for ED. More research is needed to determine whether there’s a direct correlation between the two.

Typically, the first line of treatment for ED is traditional prescription medications (think: Viagra or Cialis). But long gone are the days when Rx drugs could only be taken as a pill to swallow. Today, you can reap the rewards of safe and effective medications in a gummy form. 

Containing 7 mg of tadalafil (the active ingredient in Cialis), Daily Rise Gummies deliver prescription-strength ED treatment in a once-a-day, fruit-flavored bite. Unlike other ED meds, tadalafil has a longer half-life, lasting up to 36 hours in the body. Because of this, the medication—and, in turn, Daily Rise Gummies—can help you get an erection any time you want when taken daily. 

ED lozenges

Not sold on ED gummies but also not a fan of popping pills? Enter: male enhancement lozenges, such as Ro Sparks, which contain sildenafil and tadalafil—the active ingredients in Viagra and Cialis, respectively, that are both FDA-approved and scientifically proven to treat ED. 

Ro Sparks is a sublingual formulation, meaning it dissolves under your tongue, and studies have found this type of ED treatment hits the bloodstream faster. While traditional ED meds can take up to an hour to work (or even longer if you’ve had a big meal), Ro Sparks work in 15 minutes on average. And thanks to tadalafil, the medication can last for up to 36 hours for stronger, harder erections. 

Because of its powerful 2-in-1 composition of tadalafil and sildenafil, Ro Sparks requires a prescription for a healthcare provider. But you can easily connect with a pro by filling out Ro’s free online visit form. 

Prescription meds

If you’re interested in learning more about ED gummies (and made it to this point in the article), you’re likely familiar with Viagra and Cialis. What you may not know, however, is that both of those medications are part of the same drug class known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. Considered the first line of treatment for ED, PDE5 inhibitors keep the blood vessels in the penis open and allow more blood to flow in, promoting harder, longer-lasting erections. Keep in mind, though, they don’t give you an automatic erection. You need to be sexually aroused in order for these prescription drugs to work.

PDE5 inhibitors—which are taken by mouth— include:

• Viagra (sildenafil)

• Cialis (tadalafil)

• Levitra (vardenafil)

• Stendra (avanafil)

Penis injections 

When ED pills aren’t working or otherwise can’t be taken because of other underlying health conditions such as heart disease, a healthcare provider might recommend ED injections, which are meds injected in liquid form. They work by relaxing the smooth muscles and increasing blood flow to the penis.

Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)—also known as alprostadil (or by its brand names Caverject and Edex)—is the most commonly used ED injection medication. PGE1 is FDA-approved for use alone, but it’s also commonly combined with two other medications: papaverine and phentolamine. TriMix, for example, combines all three of these meds and is one option for treating ED.

Medical devices

Other options for treating ED include penis pumps, cock rings, and penis implants. A penis pump—aka vacuum constriction device (VCD) or a vacuum erection device (VED)—works by using suction to draw blood into the penis to facilitate an erection. Some studies have found that penis pumps can be effective in up to 90% of cases of ED. 

A cock ring, on the other hand, is placed around the base of the penis (or around the penis and testicles) to keep blood from flowing out of the penis once it’s entered, hopefully helping the penis stay erect for longer. And then there are penis implants, which, as the name describes, involve implanting a device under the skin of the penis. They’re typically reserved for extreme cases of ED where all other treatment methods have failed. 

Lifestyle changes

Last but certainly not least are lifestyle changes for ED. These include (but are not limited to): 

• Exercise regularly: Maintaining a workout routine is one of the best ways to improve cardiovascular health, which plays an important role in your ability to get and maintain an erection. 

• Eat a healthy diet: Several studies have linked a nutritious, balanced diet to better erectile function. When it comes to your intake, reducing or limiting processed foods, sugars, and red meat and increasing fruits, veggies, and whole grains can positively impact erections.

• Get enough sleep: Research has shown sleep apnea and sleep deprivation to lower testosterone levels and contribute to ED. Aiming for at least 6 hours of shut-eye per night can benefit both your sexual and overall health. 

• Take care of your mental wellbeing: Stress and anxiety are commonly to blame for sexual dysfunction—after all, sexual performance is just as much about the physical as it is about the mental. Practicing stress management and reduction techniques (e.g. meditation), as well as getting more assistance from a pro, can help address ED.

The short answer is that it depends. ED gummies that include evidence-based ingredients 

ED gummies that contain evidence-based ingredients—see: Daily Rise Gummies, which contain 7 mg of tadalafil—are more likely to address any erectile woes. 

On the flip side, ED gummies that call upon herbs and CBD to address ED might not live up to their claims. More research is needed to determine whether the majority of ED gummies are effective as well as to understand the connection between ED and CBD. CBD has been shown to help with anxiety and some other conditions, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a treatment for people with ED. 

Still, male enhancement gummies are available OTC and are easily accessible, which certainly makes them an appealing option for people with ED. Keep in mind, of course, that supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA, and it can be difficult to determine which brands are reliable in their claims. 

At the end of the day, it’s always a good idea to consult a healthcare provider if you’re experiencing ED. They can help you navigate options, such as prescriptionED meds or other treatments, so you can be more confident and enjoy a more fulfilling sex life—and that’s the long and short of it.

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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.

Current version

June 11, 2024

Written by

Haley Longman

Fact checked by

Raagini Yedidi, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Raagini Yedidi, MD

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