Horny Goat Weed for Men – Can It Help With ED?

When you’re focused on treating physical health conditions or illnesses, you might wish to explore an herbal supplement. Some lifestyle changes and medications can alleviate your symptoms, but many people see improvements when they use horny goat weed.

What conditions will the goat pill treat? Is it effective? You’ll learn everything you should understand about horny goat weed and how it can be used, where to find it, and much more. Let’s get started!

What’s Horny Goat Weed?

In general, horny goat weed is an herbal supplement you can get over the counter, and it’s sold at many large retailers and pharmacies. Icariin is the primary active ingredient within, which is the extract from the Epimedium plant. This is reported to help those with erectile dysfunction.

It’s sold in various forms, such as teas, powders, capsules, and tablets. You can also find it named:

  • Randy beef grass
  • Rowdy lamb herb
  • Barrenwort
  • Yin yang huo

Research is limited on this traditional Chinese medicinal herb. However, it’s believed to be therapeutic for those who suffer from osteoporosis and congestive heart failure, according to animal and cellular studies. Still, horny goat weed is one of those things that is known best for treating ED.

Be aware that dietary supplements aren’t regulated like traditional drugs in the US. Therefore, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) hasn’t approved their use for effectiveness or safety before the products get marketed. It’s wise to choose a supplement that’s tested by a third party.

Even with testing from third parties, that doesn’t mean the supplements are necessarily safe for everyone in general. It’s best to speak to a healthcare provider about the supplements you plan to take and ensure that there are no potential interactions with other medications or herbal remedies.

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Taking Horny Goat Weed Extract – The Dosage

Many people ask: how much horny goat weed should I take? There’s no specific dosage for it, but the supplement manufacturers provide a recommended amount. Therefore, the amount can vary from 500 up to 1,000 milligrams.

If you don’t know how much horny goat weed to take, make sure you talk to a doctor to get a recommendation. They can also help you decide when to take horny goat weed for the most health benefits.

Remember that it might take time for the beneficial effect to happen, so you should use the supplement for about one month before you look for results. However, this varies, so contact a doctor if you have any side effects after using it.

What Might Happen If You Take too Much?

Overall, horny goat weed features phytoestrogens, which adults can safely take by mouth for two years or so. However, icariin, which is included in this supplement, can only be safely consumed for six months.

If you use certain types of this supplement at higher doses or for prolonged periods of time, it could be unsafe. You may experience serious side effects, including severe breathing problems.

How Does Erectile Dysfunction Inhibit Erections?

Whenever a man is sexually stimulated, the nitric oxide in the body will signal a chemical to the forefront, which causes the muscle to relax and slow blood clotting and flow to the penis. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate puts the inflow of blood into three cylinders within the penis, which leads to your erection.

If you have ED, the enzyme PDE5 (protein phosphodiesterase type 5) will interfere with the body’s nitric oxide and the cGMP that relaxes those muscles in the arteries. Therefore, the blood doesn’t move through them to create the erection.

ED is often defined as an inability to maintain or get an erection that’s firm enough for sexual intercourse. Most men can’t sustain an erection, though they don’t necessarily have ED. It depends on how often this happens.

What Does Horny Goat Weed Do, and How Does It Work?

Icariin will inhibit the activity of the protein phosphodiesterase type 5 that blocks the artery dilation within the penis. Therefore, the blood can fill up the three cylinders and arteries within the penis to create the erection. This works similarly to other prescription drugs, such as sildenafil (Viagra).

Most people wonder: how fast does horny goat weed work? When focused on improving sexual performance, it will usually work within 60 to 90 minutes. However, that’s not always the case, and each person is different. Don’t get discouraged if it takes longer to experience the benefits.

Horny Goat Weed for Her

What does horny goat weed do for women? Most of the time, you hear about men taking the supplements, but ladies can see the benefits, as well. For example, horny goat weed can:

  • Reduce triglyceride and cholesterol levels in postmenopausal women
  • Increase estrogen levels
  • Help with bone health in postmenopausal women

Will Horny Goat Weed Work?

The claims of effectiveness for horny goat weed are significant, just as with most supplements, but there is insufficient evidence as to whether it will actually work by increasing the blood flow to your penis.

The Journal of Sexual Medicine conducted an animal study investigating the effects of horny goat weed on rats. These researchers found that the rats saw an improvement in erectile dysfunction.

Another 2008 study showed that icariin derivatives are effective for inhibiting human PDE5, which is the substance blocking erections. Likewise, it found that sildenafil was roughly 80 percent more potent.

Where to Find Horny Goat Weed Extract

Traditional Chinese medicine has featured horny goat weed for many years. In fact, it has legends surrounding it. In one, the name came from the goat herder who noticed that his flock was sexually stimulated after they ate the plant.

It’s native to Korea, Japan, and China. Today, it’s grown as an ornamental plant, and many manufacturers now use it in various supplements.

Horny Goat Weed Extract

Pros of Horny Goat Weed

  • Very accessible in various forms
  • Sold over the counter
  • Might lower the effects of joint pain and fatigue

Cons of Horny Goat Weed

  • Large amounts can cause breathing problems and spasms
  • Can negatively interact with some medications

Side Effects of Horny Goat Weed

Generally, horny goat weed side effects are often minor when you’re taking it for a few months. However, it can cause:

  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Dizziness
  • Nose bleeds
  • Breathing issues
  • Spasms

Possible Risks When Using Horny Goat Weed

Taking horny goat weed could come with certain risks. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center claims that those with hormone-sensitive cancer or heart disease should discuss the herb with a doctor before using it. The supplement might lead to feeling hot or sweating, but more research is necessary.

Some medical conditions and medications could put you at a higher risk if you use horny goat weed. These can include:

  • Thyroid disease
  • Hormone-sensitive cancer (ovarian or breast cancer)
  • Heart disease
  • Medications used to thin the blood
  • Medications that lead to an irregular heartbeat
  • Blood pressure-lowering medications

If you use any of those medications or have the conditions listed earlier, it’s best to talk to a doctor before using the supplement. Likewise, you shouldn’t take over-the-counter pain relievers or ibuprofen while using horny goat weed.

It can cause you to have an allergic reaction if you have an allergy to any plants within the Berberidaceae family. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include:

  • Feeling hot
  • Sweating
  • Rash

Likewise, horny goat weed could be quite dangerous if you take too much. However, there’s no specific dosage because it’s considered an OTC herb. Likewise, there’s not enough scientific evidence to back it up as a sound choice.

Precautions

Some people shouldn’t take horny goat weed at all. These include:

  • Pregnant women
  • Breastfeeding women
  • Anyone with bleeding disorders (the supplement can slow blood clotting and make those conditions worse)
  • Those with heart disease
  • People with certain conditions, such as endometriosis, uterine cancer, and breast cancer

Other Uses of Horny Goat Weed

Horny goat weed has medicinal properties and can often be utilized to improve bone density and bone health. It can even treat polio, bronchitis, and more.

Since it smooths muscle tissue, those with strained muscles can get relief. Likewise, it will relieve numbness and joint pain.

People often use horny goat weed to treat:

  • Fatigue
  • Hay fever
  • Brain injuries
  • Osteoporosis
  • Menopausal symptoms
  • Low libido
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Bone loss
  • Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)

One study in postmenopausal women showed that the extract could increase the activities of those bone-forming cells in the body and reduce bone loss. However, it was a limited clinical trial.

It’s also unclear if horny goat weed can help with high blood pressure. Since it will smooth muscle tissue, researchers believe that it can open the arteries so that more blood can get through. However, it depends on the reason for the high levels.

Generally, it’s wise to call a doctor and ask if it’s suitable for you. Though a pharmacist might be able to assist, they don’t know your medical history like your general practitioner.

Alternative Medicine for Erectile Dysfunction

Many men find that horny goat weed isn’t suitable for them, but there’s nothing to fear. You can find other ED treatments. Standard options include vacuum pumps, medications, and surgery.

If you still want a natural alternative and horny goat weed isn’t suitable for you, you might consider:

  • Lifestyle changes (quit smoking, exercise more, and eat a healthy diet)
  • Acupuncture
  • L-arginine
  • DHEA
  • Red ginseng

Before trying the treatments listed above, it’s wise to talk to your doctor to determine what’s right for you. In some cases, they must rule out illnesses that cause the ED.

When to See a Doctor

If you’re experiencing ED symptoms, it might be wise to talk to your doctor, especially if you’ve had issues maintaining or achieving an erection many times throughout the past few weeks. Overall, ED is a common condition, especially when you get older. Your doctor should be familiar with the current methods that might help.

Some men aren’t ready to speak with a doctor and discuss their concerns. If that’s the case, you can consider horny goat weed supplements and others. However, you should focus on the recommended dosage amount from the manufacturer.

You might see various side effects from the herbal supplements you take, such as slow blood clotting and something that causes your blood pressure to drop. In these cases, stop using the supplement and talk to your doctor. Horny goat weed might interact with other medications you’re currently taking, which can lead to a lower blood pressure, as well.

Have you been taking horny goat weed for a while now but don’t notice an improvement in your ED symptoms? It might be time to talk to a doctor and explore other treatment options, such as medications and lifestyle changes.

FAQs

Does Goat Weed Make You Bigger?

There’s no evidence to suggest that horny goat weed will increase your penis size. Overall, there’s no proof that any supplement can do that.

Does Goat Weed Make You Last Longer?

Again, there’s no evidence suggesting that it will help you last longer in the bedroom, but many users say that it has helped them achieve and maintain an erection.

What Will Horny Goat Weed Do?

There’s icariin in horny goat weed, which promotes blood flow and can treat many cardiovascular diseases.

A significant benefit is that it will treat erectile dysfunction by counteracting PDE5, an enzyme that prevents an erection by interfering with the blood flow. When you inhibit PDE5, you can reduce ED symptoms with time.

However, it might not work for you. Those who take it might have adverse interactions or side effects because of other medications. Before starting any herbal supplement, it’s wise to speak to a healthcare provider first.

Does Goat Weed Really Work?

There’s evidence to support taking horny goat weed to treat erectile dysfunction, promote healthy bones, and more. However, there aren’t many reliable studies or significant evidence showing its effectiveness overall.

If you deal with ED, you might consider trying this supplement, especially because you don’t need a prescription. However, if things haven’t improved in two to three weeks, it’s wise to talk to a healthcare provider to build a better treatment plan.

Could Horny Goat Weed Interact with Other Medications?

Cialis (tadalafil) and Viagra (sildenafil) are prescription medications that contain PDE5 inhibitors. Therefore, you shouldn’t use them with any nitrate-containing medicines, such as Monoket (isosorbide mononitrate) or Nitrostat (nitroglycerin), because of the high risk of fatally low blood pressure.

Overall, horny goat weed does contain icariin, which is a mild or gentle PDE5 inhibitor. However, it’s not clear how it might interact with nitrate-containing medicines because there haven’t been many studies on such safety concerns.

Since horny goat weed could interact with medications that lower BP, it’s best to talk to a healthcare provider before starting the supplement.

Can You Take Viagra and Horny Goat Weed Together?

A study conducted on rats found a huge herb-drug interaction between sildenafil and horny goat weed. Specifically, the supplement’s extract decreased the effectiveness and concentration of Viagra.

However, this was an animal study, so it’s unclear how those results might apply to humans. More clinical studies are required to clarify this interaction.

Could Horny Goat Weed Interact with Other Supplements and Herbs?

Horny goat weed could decrease how fast the body can process caffeine, which might increase its effects when you take it with other herbs and supplements that have caffeine. These include yerba mate, guarana, coffee, green tea, and black tea. If you’ve got a caffeine sensitivity, it’s wise to use extra caution when taking the supplement.

Should You Use Horny Goat Weed? Final Thoughts

Horny goat weed is being hailed as “natural Viagra” because the herbal supplement can treat ED. Some studies have suggested that it offers positive effects in other areas, such as for those who have weak and brittle bones or excessive physical fatigue. However, more research is necessary in humans to clarify what health benefits there are, if any.

As a result, you should use caution if you take certain medications or have some medical conditions. It’s best to speak to a doctor to determine if the supplement is right for you.