Key takeaways
Gas station sex pills are not regulated and can even contain dangerous compounds, so you should avoid taking them.
There’s limited research to indicate certain herbs and vitamins can positively affect sexual function, but more studies are needed (and these ingredients may not even be in gas station sex pills, even if they’re listed on the label).
Safer options for treating erectile dysfunction (ED) include prescription medications and lifestyle changes.
Here's what we'll cover
Key takeaways
Gas station sex pills are not regulated and can even contain dangerous compounds, so you should avoid taking them.
There’s limited research to indicate certain herbs and vitamins can positively affect sexual function, but more studies are needed (and these ingredients may not even be in gas station sex pills, even if they’re listed on the label).
Safer options for treating erectile dysfunction (ED) include prescription medications and lifestyle changes.
Gas station sex pills are products marketed as supplements that claim to improve sexual performance and erectile dysfunction (ED). Unlike prescription medications, they aren’t regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means their ingredients, dosages, and safety are unverified.
Translation: It’s difficult to tell what’s actually in these products, and some can even have dangerous hidden ingredients, which can result in side effects. Ahead, we take a closer look at the different types of gas station sex pills, why they can be dangerous, and better options for improving your erections.
Are gas station sex pills safe?
According to the FDA, male enhancement products you can buy at gas stations — i.e. gas station sex pills — are not safe, as they frequently contain hidden and potentially dangerous drug ingredients.
Not knowing exactly what’s in a product can lead to a lot of problems. There can be issues with quality, too much of an undeclared drug like Viagra, the potential for allergic or medical reactions, and even potential interactions with other medications. Some male enhancement products have been found to contain heavy metals and other contaminants; others have dangerously high doses of undeclared Viagra or Cialis.
Often, gas station sex pills just don’t work, and you just end up with a headache or stomachache. At the other extreme, there have been cases of emergency room visits after taking a gas station sex pill containing a dangerously high and undeclared quantity of sildenafil. Because you don’t know what you’re taking, taking gas station sex pills exposes you to numerous potential risks.
Do gas station sex pills work?
Because manufacturers don’t always list ingredients and there’s no regulation on ingredient quantity, quality, and packaging, it can be hard to predict how each male enhancement product will work.
Some of the ingredients these products do list may help with ED, namely Korean red ginseng and L-arginine. Many of the studies on these ingredients are small, though, lacking the large, randomized controlled trials needed to confirm results. Plus, since these products have little to no regulation, it’s unclear what you can trust.
Some of these natural supplements may help boost nitric oxide or increase blood circulation, which is needed for erections. However, none has been shown to work as well as Viagra, Cialis, or other prescription options for ED.
Over-the-counter male enhancement products that contain undeclared Viagra or a similar ED drug may appear to be effective. But they can contain much higher doses than would normally be prescribed, making them a dangerous alternative to the real thing.
Side effects of gas station pills
Side effects of gas station sex pills vary depending on what ingredients are in them — and as we mentioned, it’s not always possible to know exactly what’s in these pills.
One of the biggest concerns is the risk of drug interactions or medical contraindications if the gas station pills contain undeclared active ingredients like sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra) or tadalafil (the active ingredient in Cialis). These undeclared ingredients can interact with other medications like nitrates or negatively affect men with underlying health conditions, especially if the dose is not right. This can lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
Other symptoms people can experience include:
Stomachaches
Headaches
Chest pain
Dizziness
Nausea
Vision problems
And it’s not just hidden ingredients that can cause side effects. Herbs and vitamin supplements, even if they are present in the quantities listed on the packaging, can also have various side effects. For example:
L-arginine can cause a drop in blood pressure
Horny goat weed and Ginkgo Biloba can affect blood clotting, leading to a risk of bleeding, especially if you are taking other blood-thinning medications
Maca can cause gastrointestinal upset
Some of these ingredients can be extremely dangerous in high doses. The effects of each ingredient can be different depending on any underlying medical issues or sensitivities.
Types of gas station sex pills
There are dozens of brands of male enhancement products on store shelves. The names are usually sexually suggestive or vague, like Extenze, Rhino 69, or VITALITY. Many are promoted as herbal or natural Viagra, even though their ingredients are unknown.
Since the FDA doesn't regulate dietary supplements, it’s not clear exactly what’s in these products. Some of the top sellers usually contain one or more herbs, nutraceuticals, or vitamins.
What do gas station sex pills typically contain?
It’s important to emphasize that, since gas station sex pills are minimally regulated, there’s really no way to be certain what they actually contain. But here are some herbs and vitamins often listed as ingredients in these products.
Common herbs in gas station sex pills
The following herbs are commonly listed in gas station sex pills. Some of these herbs have minimal research on their effectiveness, while others have no evidence at all.
Red Korean ginseng. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that ginseng was associated with improved erectile function, though more research is needed. Some studies suggest it works for ED by promoting nitric oxide production and relaxing blood vessels, which is similar to the way certain ED medications work.
Tribulus terrestris. While this herbal plant has shown some promise in increased libido or erectile function scores in some studies, results have been mixed. More research is needed to see what the results are in humans.
Horny goat weed (epimedium). There have been some studies finding that the active ingredient in horny goat weed (icariin) can improve erectile function in animal models. That said, there haven’t been any sizable studies on how horny goat weed might impact ED in humans.
Yohimbine. This compound is extracted from the bark of the yohimbe tree. One review mentioned that yohimbe was rarely significantly better than placebo for treating erectile dysfunction. Later research has found that side effects of yohimbine can include anxiety, high blood pressure, and agitation.
Maca (Lepidium meyenii). A small study of 50 men with mild ED found that treatment with this Peruvian plant resulted in a small but significant improvement in erectile function. Other small studies have found mixed results on sexual desire. Overall, the evidence is limited and inconclusive, and more research is needed.
Ginkgo biloba. Two randomized placebo-controlled trials have not found any benefit to sexual function with ginkgo extracts. Some of the side effects reported from taking ginkgo include nausea and headache. Of note, these trials were conducted in people who were experiencing ED as a side effect of antidepressant medications.
Tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack). A review of multiple studies found that tongkat ali, a flowering plant commonly found in Southeast Asia, may have clinical effects on erectile function, but more trials are needed to confirm this.
Nutraceuticals
In addition to herbs, some male enhancement supplement manufacturers may claim to include the following nutraceuticals (vitamins). Like the herbs often included in these pills, some of these vitamins have more research backing them than others.
L-arginine. This amino acid can potentially help with mild to moderate ED. In one systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 different studies, researchers found that dosages between 1,500 and 5,000 mg could offer significant improvements in mild to moderate ED.
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone). Your body produces this hormone naturally, but it’s also available as a supplement. A small study of men with low DHEA levels found that men who took a DHEA supplement experienced an improvement in their erectile function. Later scientific reviews have suggested that more research is needed before it’s actually recommended to take DHEA to help with ED. It might be better to check with your healthcare provider whether you’re actually deficient in DHEA before turning to a supplement.
B-complex vitamins. Some studies have found a link between B vitamins and erectile function. Men with ED tend to have lower levels of folic acid and higher levels of homocysteine (an amino acid that B vitamins help regulate). It might be worth checking your homocysteine and B vitamin levels with your healthcare provider if you are curious, but don’t expect B-complex vitamins to have immediate effects for ED, particularly if you are not deficient.
Zinc and other trace minerals. Zinc plays a role in testosterone production, which can indirectly affect erectile function. A systematic review of 38 studies found that zinc deficiency is linked to lower testosterone levels, and zinc supplementation might help improve testosterone levels in men with zinc deficiency. A previous study found that testosterone levels — which can indirectly affect erectile function — decreased significantly after 20 weeks on a low-zinc diet. If your zinc levels are normal, taking extra zinc may not be helpful, but if you have a zinc deficiency, you might benefit from checking and replenishing your levels.
Herbal supplements and vitamins are sold legally and generally have mild side effects, but are not regulated the same way that prescription medications are. What makes gas station sex pills particularly dangerous are the undeclared, illegal ingredients that show up in many products but are not listed on the labels.
Hidden ingredients
It’s illegal to sell prescription drugs over the counter. Despite this, every year, the FDA regularly warns consumers about male enhancement products that contain undeclared prescription-grade Viagra (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil), vardenafil, and other similar drugs.
Among the big offenders: Rhino pills. The Rhino brand — with names like Krazzy Rhino, Gold Rhino, or Platinum Rhino — has been a repeat offender on the FDA’s tainted sexual enhancement products listing, but this brand is not the only one putting illegal products on store shelves.
Male enhancement products are continually being confiscated for containing prescription-strength erectile dysfunction drugs such as undeclared Viagra. Products that appear on the tainted product list are also added to a larger FDA Health Fraud Product Database.
It’s good to search both lists. But keep in mind that potentially dangerous products may not yet have been identified and listed, so these lists aren’t comprehensive.
Some sexual enhancement products reportedly contain twice the normal dose of Viagra without even declaring it, which can be quite dangerous. This can be especially problematic for people taking medications for their blood pressure. If they also take Viagra unknowingly, they may end up with dangerously low blood pressure.
People taking nitrate medications are advised not to also take PDE-5 inhibitors like Viagra or Cialis. If they take a gas station sex pill that contains Viagra without knowing it, they are exposing themselves to dangerous medication interactions.
The FDA also warns to watch for counterfeit drugs, which are fueling the increase in tainted dietary supplements. It’s hard to figure out where these counterfeit drugs are manufactured, and they have no oversight, making it all the more important to be careful when using unregulated supplements.
Alternatives to gas station sex pills for erectile dysfunction
If you have ED, there’s no need to turn to potentially unsafe male enhancement drugs from the gas station. There are far better — and safer! — options. Ultimately, it’s best to talk with your healthcare provider to explore the many safe ways to enhance your sex life and avoid the gas station sex pills.
Prescription medications
Using oral prescription medications to manage ED is common. Many of the medications for ED on the market are known as phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (aka PDE5 inhibitors). They work in part by increasing blood flow to the penis. None are designed to give you spontaneous or continuous erections, but they are designed to make it easier to get an erection when you are aroused. Some options you may want to explore with a healthcare provider include:
Viagra. If you’ve heard of “the little blue pill,” you’re already familiar with the active ingredient in this medication. Viagra is the branded version of sildenafil, an ED medication that should be taken 30–60 minutes before you want to have sex.
Cialis. This is the branded version of tadalafil, an ED medication that can be taken either daily or as-needed. If you take it daily, you’ll be ready for sex around the clock. For as-needed use, take it 30–60 minutes before you want to have sex. When prescribed daily, Cialis is usually taken at lower doses.
Vardenafil. This fast-acting oral medication can take effect in as little as 10 minutes, though. However, since your individual experience may vary, it’s still recommended that you take it about one hour before you plan on having sex.
Ro’s Daily Rise Gummies. These daily gummies contain tadalafil, which stays in your body for more than 24 hours. That means you’re always ready for sex, whenever the moment is right. While these gummies are not FDA-approved, their active ingredient has been FDA-approved for the treatment of ED.
Ro Sparks. This dissolving tablet is the best of both worlds: sildenafil and tadalafil. The combo of these two medications is designed to get you hard in as little as 15 minutes after dissolving and keep you ready for up to 36 hours. Ro Sparks is not an FDA-approved formulation, but its active ingredients have been individually FDA-approved for ED.
It’s essential that you get ED medication from a licensed healthcare provider, as ED can be caused by other treatable medical conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or low testosterone. They can help you determine if other health conditions are potentially contributing to your ED symptoms. You also want to ensure ED medication won’t interfere with another medication or affect an existing health condition.
If oral medications are not working, you can ask your healthcare provider about injectable medications for ED. The advantage of injectable medications is that they do not require sexual arousal to cause an erection.
Devices or implants
Another ED treatment some people use is a penis pump, also known as a vacuum erection device. These consist of a plastic chamber and a hand- or battery-operated pump.
You put your penis in the chamber, and the suction created by the pump draws blood into the penis, helping an erection to occur. A constriction ring is then placed at the base of the penis to maintain the erection. Be careful not to use them too much or for longer than 30 minutes, as overuse could lead to penile injury.
While not usually a first-line treatment for ED, penile implants are sometimes an option for men whose ED hasn’t responded to other treatments. These are either semi-rigid or inflatable devices that are surgically placed within the penis to help you achieve an erection when you want to. While they can sometimes be associated with complications such as infection, some men report satisfaction with this option.
Lifestyle changes
In addition to seeking medical treatment, you may also be able to manage ED through thoughtful lifestyle changes. Some options worth considering are:
Improving your diet. Eating a heart-healthy diet, such as a Mediterranean-style diet, and reducing caloric intake have been associated with improvements in erectile function. Foods that are associated with healthy erectile function include fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
Exercising regularly. Regular exercise is associated with a lower risk of ED. It improves overall health, testosterone levels, and has been shown to significantly improve erectile function.
Managing your stress levels. It’s hard to get in the mood when you’re feeling stressed. One study found that people who took tadalafil and simultaneously stuck to stress management programs were found to have an improvement in stress levels and in erectile function.
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Bottom line
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is, and that’s certainly the case with gas station sex pills that promise bigger, better erections without a prescription. They’re unsafe because they’re not regulated, and they should be avoided.
Since these products aren’t regulated by the FDA, they can contain almost anything. Some contain harmful substances or dangerously high doses of undeclared prescription medications, which can have negative health consequences and dangerous side effects.
More research is needed on most herbs and vitamins in these pills. While there are some studies suggesting ingredients like horny goat weed or Red Korean ginseng can positively impact erectile function, most studies have concluded that more research is needed before recommending the regular use of these supplements for humans.
There are plenty of safe and effective ways to treat ED. Gas station pills are neither safe nor proven to be effective. Prescription medications, lifestyle changes, and even some penile devices have scientific backing and are much safer than gas station pills when used under the care of a qualified healthcare professional.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What are gas station sex pills?
“Gas station sex pills” has become a catch-all term for the many male sexual enhancement supplements often found at the check-out counter at your local gas station or convenience store. These supplements can also be found online and sometimes at larger retail stores.
They generally claim to boost erections, sex drive, and stamina, and some even claim to increase penis size. These claims can be enticing for men with ED or those just looking to enhance their sex lives. But gas station sex pills are not regulated by the FDA, and some even contain illegal or unsafe ingredients in unknown quantities.
Do those gas station sex pills really work?
Some gas station pills may work for some people, but that doesn’t mean you should take them.
For starters, gas station sex pills are not regulated or standardized. They may contain unregulated ingredients, including potentially undisclosed amounts of Viagra or other prescription-strength products. While this may sound tempting if you are looking for a quick fix, remember that these options can be quite dangerous due to the risk of side effects.
It’s also possible that you get gas station pills that don’t work at all, depending on what’s in them. Generally speaking, the FDA advises against taking these types of pills due to potentially dangerous hidden ingredients and a lack of safety regulations.
What is the pill like Viagra at the gas station?
Pills marketed to be like Viagra at the gas station may be male enhancement products such as Extenze, Rhino 69, or VITALITY. But the keyword here is “marketed.” These pills are not regulated by the FDA, and may contain virtually anything, including dangerous hidden ingredients.
While they could contain herbs that might help improve sexual functioning, herbal supplements are generally not as effective as prescription medication, and the risks of these pills simply aren’t worth any potential benefits. Furthermore, herbal supplements come with their own risk of side effects, just like prescription medications.
Does 7-Eleven sell sex pills?
Yes, 7-Eleven sells “sex pills,” but that doesn’t mean you should buy them. Any sex pills at convenience stores are potentially dangerous, and sometimes contain hidden ingredients that aren’t listed on the label. Plus, since they aren’t as regulated by the FDA, they might not even be effective, because the claims on the packaging don’t have to be substantiated.
How much are the sex pills at gas stations?
Sex pills at gas stations are generally inexpensive, costing around $10 or less. However, you shouldn’t be tempted to buy them just because they’re cheap. They can range from being ineffective to being dangerous.
Plus, you could get a safe, FDA-approved generic version of Viagra (sildenafil) for reasonable prices. On Ro, for example, sildenafil starts at just $4 a pill.
Can I buy Viagra in a gas station?
No, you cannot buy Viagra in a gas station. Viagra is prescription only, which means you can not buy it over the counter — in a gas station or any other convenience store. Any product sold over the counter that’s marketed as Viagra is either counterfeit or being sold illegally and may contain dangerous ingredients.
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.
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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