Between 40% and 70% of men suffer from sexual dysfunction at some point in their lives. This figure is probably much higher, but not everyone has the courage to share and seek medical attention when this happens. In many cases, non-prescription aids are resorted to, and the most common, after pills to maintain an erection, are nutritional supplements. There is a huge variety of products based on ginseng, epimedium, fenugreek, ginkgo, maca, L-arginine, etc. Most are relatively expensive, in shiny packaging, but rarely undergo standardized product controls such as dosage, purity, content, and offer confusing information. A team of urologists at WFB Medical Center examined many of these products, concluding that most of them do not have any scientifically based or visible results regarding erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation or libido. Some products advertised as “natural” contained phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) — the same class of chemicals found in proprietary drugs like Viagra. They are prohibited for trade, because their use without medical advice can lead to cardiovascular problems and endanger life. They are especially dangerous for men with heart or liver diseases. Another common ingredient in similar nutritional supplements is DHEA – dehydroepiandrosterone. It is the most abundant steroid hormone in the human body. Scientists have found that it is completely useless for sexual dysfunction, but at least it does not harm the body or the mind – its additional intake has almost no effect on the available DHEA levels in the body. NEWS_MORE_BOX Fenugreek is also very popular for similar products – it is found in every fourth product of this category. It has properties that can improve sexual arousal and muscle strength, but only when combined with a proper diet and exercise regimen. Side effects are not known. Ginkgo biloba, surprisingly, is also common. There is no scientific evidence for its benefits in sexual dysfunction, but it can cause headaches. Ginseng is among the most popular supplements for these problems. There is not as much evidence for their beneficial effects as for the fact that it causes headaches, stomach upsets, constipation, rashes and insomnia. It also has the ability to sharply lower blood sugar, which is especially dangerous for diabetics. L-arginine is the best seller in this category, found in one of three top products. It may lead to improvements in erections in some patients. It is associated with a noticeable drop in blood pressure without straining the heart. Specialists say that one-time episodes of sexual dysfunction are normal, mainly due to stress. If they become more frequent or are associated with other problems such as decreased libido or muscle strength, a consultation with a doctor is advised to find out the cause and prescribe the right treatment.