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Your sex life, your way
Search online for “sex pills,” and you’ll find hundreds of options, claiming they can make your penis bigger or boost your sexual stamina.
Sex pills are a broad category. While some prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) options can support men’s health and wellness, others can be risky. Some male enhancement pills, herbal supplements, and dietary supplements can be downright dangerous.
Below, we dig into the scientific evidence behind various sex pills and outline which options are your best bet for achieving a satisfying sex life.
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“Sex pills” isn’t a medical term. It’s a catch-all phrase for any capsule, tablet, or oral compound that promises to enhance your sex life.
This includes science-based prescription medications for erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation (PE) — and less reliable options.
Non-prescription sexual performance pills are readily available online and in many stores. They’re cheap and accessible but there’s no real proof that they work.
But unlike sexual health treatments approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), OTC sex pills don’t go through rigorous testing for effectiveness or safety.
If you’re looking to improve your sex life, FDA-approved medications and treatments backed by real studies are your best option.
We’ll dive into prescription medications shortly, but let’s first tackle OTC sex pills and supplements. These products, often branded as male enhancement supplements, make some pretty bold claims like the ability to:
Increase your penis size
Give you stronger erections
Help you last longer in bed
Let you recover faster after sex
So, do they really deliver?
Some evidence suggests certain ingredients can boost sexual satisfaction in men with nutritional deficiencies, including:
Magnesium
Horny goat weed (epimedium)
Maca root
White willow bark
Rauvolfia serpentina
Black pepper
But that doesn’t mean they’ll have the same effects in healthy men or improve your erections, sexual stamina or overall sex life.
In our guide to increasing your testosterone levels, we go into more detail on the ingredients that might boost testosterone.
The FDA treats dietary supplements like “foods” rather than medications. This means many sexual enhancement tablets aren’t rigorously tested for safety.
It also means it’s not always clear exactly how or where sexual enhancement supplements are made. Some pills might come from clean, modern facilities, while others might come from facilities that lack safety and cleanliness standards.
Shockingly, some pills even contain unlabeled prescription drug ingredients. These hidden ingredients can cause dangerous interactions and potentially serious side effects, especially if you're taking meds for high blood pressure, heart disease, or other common medical conditions.
Relying on these products to improve your sex life? It’s risky. You never really know what’s in them.
For the latest on tainted sex tablets and pills, check out the FDA’s Tainted Sexual Enhancement Products list.
The FDA has approved the following erectile dysfunction medications:
Sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra®)
Tadalafil (the active ingredient in Cialis®)
Vardenafil (the active ingredient in Levitra®)
Avanafil (a newer medication sold as Stendra®)
These medications known as phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors), increase blood flow to your penis after sexual arousal.
Let’s look at each of these medications in more detail.
Sildenafil (AKA Viagra) is a fast-acting ED medication that was the first prescription drug for ED to receive FDA approval in 1998.
You take it as needed 30 to 60 minutes before sex, and its effects last about four hours per dose.
Sildenafil is a great option for when you need a one-night fix for ED.
Like all ED medications, sildenafil can cause side effects like:
Headaches
Flushing
Muscle soreness
Vision changes
Nasal congestion
Our guide to sildenafil side effects goes into more detail and covers potential drug interactions to be aware of if you’re considering sildenafil as an ED or PE treatment.
Tadalafil is a longer-lasting ED pill producing effects that can last for 36 hours per dose — a benefit that’s earned it the nickname “weekend” ED pill.
Tadalafil is a great choice if you enjoy spontaneous sex or have fun more than once a day. Since it lasts long, you don’t need to worry about timing your dose.
The downside of Cialis? Side effects may stick around longer than other medications.
Vardenafil is similar to sildenafil, but its effects last slightly longer, providing relief from ED for up to six hours.
It might be a better option for you if you usually take your ED medication with or after dinner, since food is less likely to mess with its absorption.
Common side effects of vardenafil include headaches, nasal congestion, flushing and indigestion, similar to other ED pills.
Avanafil, sold under the brand name Stendra, is a new ED medication with several benefits over other prescription pills:
It works faster. Avanafil starts to work in as little as 15 minutes, so you can take it closer to sex than other ED medications.
Food doesn’t impact its absorption. Like vardenafil, you can take avanafil with meals without slowing onset.
It has fewer side effects. Stendra is less likely to cause side effects than other ED medications.
Want to learn more about this ED medication? Read our guide to avanafil.
Hims chewable ED medications contain several of these FDA-approved ingredients for ED. And the best part? They’re super easy to take.
ED isn’t the only sexual health issue that can mess with your sex life. Research in the Indian Journal of Urology reveals that four to 39 percent of men may experience premature ejaculation at some point in their lives.
Looking to tackle PE and boost your sexual confidence and stamina? You’ve got some solid options, like prescription antidepressants and topical products. We cover them below.
Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that healthcare professionals typically prescribe to treat major depressive disorder. They may also prescribe it off-label to help with ejaculation latency — that’s a clinical term for the time it takes before you reach orgasm and ejaculate.
Take it daily or just when you need it for PE. Thanks to its long-lasting effects, you can easily time your dose before getting intimate for the best results.
We offer sertraline for PE online, following a consultation with a licensed healthcare provider who will determine if a prescription is right for you.
You can read more about this medication in our guide to sertraline for premature ejaculation.
There’s also a link between the other SSRIs and better sexual stamina including:
Paroxetine (Paxil®)
Fluoxetine (Prozac®)
Escitalopram (Lexapro®)
Research shows that all of these SSRIs offer similar improvements in ejaculation time, with only mild side effects.
Wondering if SSRIs can help you? Schedule a consultation with our online psychiatry service for mental health conditions to find out if a prescription might be right for you.
Sprays, creams, and wipes might not be sex pills, but they can help treat premature ejaculation.
Take our Delay Spray for Men or Clockstopper Benzocaine Wipes, for example. They contain topical anesthetics like lidocaine or benzocaine that reduce penis sensitivity.
Just apply these products 10 to 15 minutes before sexual activity. You’ll last longer without feeling numb or uncomfortable.
Our full guide to how lidocaine sprays work goes into more detail about using this type of spray to improve your sexual health and performance.
Looking for a male sex tablet with natural ingredients? You might be considering dietary supplements like horny goat weed, maca root, ashwagandha, ginkgo biloba or ginseng.
You’ll often find them featured in over-the-counter male enhancement supplements.
They promise a lot but they’re not backed by much scientific evidence.
Some sources claim that ingredients like horny goat weed can improve erections and sexual desire. The catch? Most of the studies backing these claims involve animals, not humans or have other problems.
Here’s a breakdown of what the research says about natural remedies for ED and PE:
Ashwagandha. People claim it’s a natural testosterone booster, but most studies only show a small increase in testosterone levels that’s unlikely to impact sex drive or male sexual health.
Ginseng. Most research on this pseudo-aphrodisiac is low quality and there’s no conclusive proof that it can help you delay orgasm.
Tribulus terrestris. This is another popular ingredient in testosterone boosters, but the limited research available shows it doesn’t impact erectile function.
Horny goat weed. This natural ingredient contains icariin, a mild PDE5 inhibitor — which means it works in a similar way to prescription ED meds. But it’s not enough to make a difference in sexual health.
You can learn more about herbs, vitamins, and other men’s sexual health supplements in our guide to natural home remedies for ED.
PDE5 inhibitorsboost blood flow to your penis by blocking the PDE5 enzyme in your arteries. Since erections are all about healthy blood flow, these drugs make it easier for you to get and stay hard when you’re in the mood for sex.
Unlike gas station sex pills that overpromise and underdeliver, genuine ED treatments actually work. For instance, a study revealed that 98.4 percent of men with erectile dysfunction who took sildenafil reported better erections.
ED and PE medications work well on their own, but they’re more effective when you combine them with a healthy lifestyle.
Simple habits like staying active can support healthy blood vessels and improve blood flow to your penis, helping you get and stay hard.
To get the best results from ED pills, try incorporating the following habits into your routine:
Exercise at least five times a week to reduce your risk of developing diabetes, which is a major risk factor for ED
Eat a balanced diet that’s high in complex carbs, lean proteins, and fibrous vegetables
Limit foods that can impact heart health and blood pressure, like those high in saturated fat
Quit smoking, which can damage your heart, lungs, and blood vessels — affecting your sexual performance
Limit your alcohol intake, which can cause “whiskey dick,” a non-clinical term for the negative effects of alcohol on healthy erections
You can learn more about maintaining a better lifestyle for your sexual health in our full guide to maintaining an erection naturally.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), reports that around 30 million men in the United States deal with some level of erectile dysfunction.
FDA-approved prescription medications can treat ED and other sexual health issues like premature ejaculation.
Let’s recap what you should know about sex pills for men:
“Sex pills” and enlargement pills are readily available, but they’re not all effective. Over-the-counter pills and supplements for sex aren’t backed by the same research as prescription medications.
Some OTC options could actually be unsafe. FDA investigations have found that many sex tablets for men contain hidden ingredients, including some that can result in dangerous drug interactions and other health problems.
FDA-approved medications are your best bet for treating ED. Evidence-based PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil and vardenafil can help with sexual health issues.
Antidepressants might help too. While they’re not approved for ED or PE, doctors sometimes prescribe SSRIs off-label for sexual dysfunction.
Ultimately, there’s no one-size-fits-all pill for sex. You’ll get the best results by using medication that’s right for your needs.
Curious about your options for improving your sex life? Book an erectile dysfunction consultation today.
Our guide to premature ejaculation pills goes into more detail about how these treatments work to delay ejaculation and improve stamina.
Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. See a mistake? Let us know at [email protected]!
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
Dr. Kelly Brown is a board certified Urologist and fellowship trained in Andrology. She is an accomplished men’s health expert with a robust background in healthcare innovation, clinical medicine, and academic research. Dr. Brown was previously Medical Director of a male fertility startup where she lead strategy and design of their digital health platform, an innovative education and telehealth model for delivering expert male fertility care.
She completed her undergraduate studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (go Heels!) with a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science and a Minor in Chemistry. She took a position at University of California Los Angeles as a radiologic technologist in the department of Interventional Cardiology, further solidifying her passion for medicine. She also pursued the unique opportunity to lead departmental design and operational development at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, sparking her passion for the business of healthcare.
Dr. Brown then went on to obtain her doctorate in medicine from the prestigious Northwestern University - Feinberg School of Medicine and Masters in Business Administration from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management, with a concentration in Healthcare Management. During her surgical residency in Urology at University of California San Francisco, she utilized her research year to focus on innovations in telemedicine and then served as chief resident with significant contributions to clinical quality improvement. Dr. Brown then completed her Andrology Fellowship at Medical College of Wisconsin, furthering her expertise in male fertility, microsurgery, and sexual function.
Her dedication to caring for patients with compassion, understanding, as well as a unique ability to make guys instantly comfortable discussing anything from sex to sperm makes her a renowned clinician. In addition, her passion for innovation in healthcare combined with her business acumen makes her a formidable leader in the field of men’s health.
Dr. Brown is an avid adventurer; summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (twice!) and hiking the incredible Torres del Paine Trek in Patagonia, Chile. She deeply appreciates new challenges and diverse cultures on her travels. She lives in Denver with her husband, two children, and beloved Bernese Mountain Dog. You can find Dr. Brown on LinkedIn for more information.
Education & Training
Andrology Fellowship, Medical College of Wisconsin
Urology Residency, University of California San Francisco
M.D. Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineB.S. in Radiologic Science, Chemistry Minor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Published as Kelly Walker
Cowan, B, Walker, K., Rodgers, K., Agyemang, J. (2023). Hormonal Management Improves Semen Analysis Parameters in Men with Abnormal Concentration, Motility, and/or Morphology. Fertility and Sterility, Volume 118, Issue 5, e4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/fertility-and-sterility/vol/120/issue/1/suppl/S
Walker, K., Gogoj, A., Honig, S., Sandlow, J. (2021). What’s New in Male Contraception? AUA Update Series, Volume 40. https://auau.auanet.org/content/update-series-2021-lesson-27-what%E2%80%99s-new-male-contraception
Walker, K., Shindel, A. (2019). AUA Erectile Dysfunction Guideline. AUA Update Series, Volume 38. https://auau.auanet.org/content/course-307
Walker, K., Ramstein, J., & Smith, J. (2019). Regret Regarding Fertility Preservation Decisions Among Male Cancer Patients. The Journal of Urology, 201(Supplement 4), e680-e681. https://www.auajournals.org/doi/10.1097/01.JU.0000556300.18991.8e
Walker, K., & Smith, J. (2019). Feasibility Study of Video Telehealth Clinic Visits in Urology. The Journal of Urology, 201(Supplement 4), e545-e545. https://www.auajournals.org/doi/10.1097/01.JU.0000556071.60611.37