Does ExtenZe^® Work for “Male Enhancement”?

ExtenZe^® is marketed as a “male enhancement” supplement meant to increase sexual pleasure, boost stamina, and improve erectile function.

While these claims are appealing, the science behind ExtenZe isn’t very reliable, and there’s no evidence that it’s an effective erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment.

There’s also some controversy about ExtenZe’s marketing practices, purported benefits, and the use of unlabeled, potentially dangerous ingredients in this supplement.

Below, we’ve explained what exactly ExtenZe is and whether it works as a treatment for erectile dysfunction. We’ve also listed several proven, evidence-based treatment options for erectile dysfunction.

ExtenZe is a supplement that’s marketed as a male enhancement product. The brand claims it can improve just about every aspect of your sexual performance, from pleasure to stamina to erectile function and beyond.

Despite these marketing claims, there’s no scientific evidence showing that ExtenZe is an effective erectile dysfunction treatment. Likewise, there’s no evidence that it improves other aspects of sexual function or performance in men. 

The company that makes and markets ExtenZe has been sued several times for making unsubstantiated advertising claims about its products.

Investigations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) show that ExtenZe and other male enhancement pills contain unlisted, potentially dangerous ingredients, including prescription ED ingredients, like sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra^®).

While it might seem convenient to have access to sildenafil without a prescription, it can be dangerous. Like other prescription drugs, sildenafil is only safe when taken under the direct supervision of a healthcare provider. There’s also no way of knowing how much sildenafil is in ExtenZe and other gas station sex pills.

We’ve all seen infomercials that sell products claiming to increase your penis size and help you last longer.

ExtenZe is one of the most well-known sex supplements for men. It’s been on the market since the early 2000s and, thanks to relentless marketing — the company even sponsored its own NASCAR car in the 2010s — it’s been hard to avoid.

When it first came onto the market, most of ExtenZe’s marketing focused on its supposed ability to make your penis bigger.

These days, ExtenZe claims to offer a variety of sex-related benefits, including:

• Better blood flow to the erectile chambers inside your penis, meaning bigger and harder erections

• Enhanced sexual pleasure and performance, resulting in more enjoyable sex

• Longer-lasting sex

ExtenZe is available as tablets and oral gel caps and is sold by most drugstores and stores that offer sexual wellness supplements.

Of all the underregulated sexual enhancement supplements on the market, ExtenZe makes some of the boldest claims out there. Some users report anecdotal improvements to their sexual performance, though it’s likely these are just placebo responses. 

Ultimately, the science doesn’t add up. 

There’s no scientific evidence that ExtenZe pills can improve your erections, increase your stamina, or boost sexual desire.

Biotab Nutraceuticals, the company behind ExtenZe, has actually been sued several times for false advertising and other questionable marketing practices. 

In 2011, the company agreed to pay a $1.75 million fine for engaging in misleading advertising by claiming, without any evidence, that ExtenZe could increase penis size.

One year earlier, the company settled a deceptive advertising class action lawsuit for $6 million without admitting any wrongdoing.

The previous company behind ExtenZe also dealt with legal action. In 2006, it paid out $300,000 in civic penalties after making unsubstantiated claims that ExtenZe pills could increase average penis size by 27 percent. 

That’s pretty convincing evidence that ExtenZe might not do what it claims to do for your sex life.

ExtenZe contains several active ingredients, some of which may affect certain aspects of your sexual health and performance, including:

• Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). DHEA is a steroid hormone precursor used by your body to create androgens like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Because of DHEA’s effects on testosterone levels, it’s listed as a banned substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

• Pregnenolone. Pregnenolone is also a precursor hormone used by your body to create testosterone, estrogen, and other hormones. It’s often marketed for its purported ability to increase other hormone levels, although research on this topic is mixed.

• Yohimbe. Yohimbe is a natural ingredient made from the bark of a tree native to central and western Africa. In the United States, marketing products that contain yohimbine as a treatment for ED without approval from the FDA (which ExtenZe has yet to receive) is illegal.

• Tribulus terrestris. Tribulus terrestris is another herbal ingredient. It’s often used in male enhancement and fitness supplements due to its supposed benefits, like building muscle mass and boosting testosterone levels. 

• L-arginine. L-arginine is an amino acid marketed as a natural option for improving blood flow. Some research suggests that L-arginine may improve mild or moderate ED in 1,500 to 5,000 mg dosages. It’s unclear how much L-arginine is in ExtenZe.

• Horny goat weed. Horny goat weed is a traditional medicine that has been used for centuries as an aphrodisiac. Though some research shows horny goat weed may improve sexual satisfaction, these effects are not backed by rigorous studies.

• Astragalus. This Asian herb is said to impact the nervous and immune systems, increase energy levels, and increase sperm count, but evidence is lacking. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, there’s not enough reliable scientific evidence to know whether astragalus is helpful for any health condition.

Over the years, the Food and Drug Administration has investigated ExtenZe pills several times and found that ExtenZe products sometimes contain unlisted ingredients.

Back in 2018, the FDA announced that ExtenZe Plus pills contain sildenafil, a prescription medication for ED and the active ingredient in Viagra.

Unlabeled ingredients are a major safety issue, as they can cause interactions with certain medications and other products. 

According to the FDA, the unlabeled sildenafil found in ExtenZe Plus may “interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs” and “may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels.”

Does ExtenZe work like Viagra in your body? 

Not necessarily.

Because these ingredients are included illicitly, they’re often manufactured inexpensively outside the United States in facilities far from ideal. These ingredients may be tainted, poorly produced, or dosed incorrectly, posing extra risks if consumed. 

ExtenZe is a Supplement, Not a Medication

The FDA mandates that medications undergo a complex and thorough trial and testing process before they’re approved for human use.

This process helps ensure that medications are safe and effective before they’re made available to the public.

ExtenZe is a supplement, not a medication, and supplements don’t have to go through the same rigorous testing as medications you get from a healthcare professional.

This means that the “natural” ingredients used in ExtenZe may not have been thoroughly tested for safety and may be harmful when misused or consumed in excessive quantities. 

Despite its “natural” formula, some of the ingredients used in ExtenZe may cause side effects, including serious ones like

• Heart and neurological issues (e.g., heart attacks and seizures)

• Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat) or hypertension (elevated blood pressure) 

• Increased feelings of anxiety

• Male pattern baldness, which can occur due to DHEA

• Stomach problems

Many of the unlabeled ingredients in ExtenZe products can also cause side effects. For example, sildenafil can cause the following adverse effects:

• Headaches

• Flushing

• Dyspepsia (indigestion)

• Blurred vision and other vision changes

• Nasal congestion

• Muscle soreness

• Back pain

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Skin rash

Because of these potential side effects, it’s essential to talk with your healthcare provider before you consider using ExtenZe or any other over-the-counter male enhancement dietary supplements.

As an FDA-approved medication, Viagra (and its generic counterpart, sildenafil) went through a long and thorough testing process before it came onto the market in the late 1990s. 

As part of this process, Viagra was tested in 21 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials that involved more than 3,000 people.

These trials showed what you’d expect if you’ve ever taken Viagra — that it works very well as an ED treatment and has few, mild side effects. 

Because ExtenZe is a dietary supplement, not a medication, it hasn’t gone through the same rigorous clinical trials. As such, it can’t legally be marketed as an evidence-based treatment for ED or as a medication for increasing your penis size. 

While some of the ingredients in ExtenZe may offer benefits for sexual performance, there’s no substantial scientific evidence to prove that they treat erectile dysfunction in the same way or to the same extent that Viagra does.

Because of the lack of high-quality study data about its safety and effectiveness, as well as the manufacturer’s history of including undeclared ingredients, it’s hard to recommend ExtenZe for improving your erections, penis size, or other aspects of your sexual performance.

However, there are proven treatments for ED, including medications you can use before sex and a variety of changes you can make to your habits and lifestyle.

ED Medications

If you have ED, you’ll get much better results from a science-based medication than from a supplement like ExtenZe.

Currently, the FDA has approved the following oral medications as treatments for ED:

• Sildenafil. The active ingredient in Viagra, sildenafil, is a popular ED medication that can provide relief from erectile dysfunction for approximately four hours per dose.

• Tadalafil. The active ingredient in Cialis^®, tadalafil, is a longer-lasting medication known as the “weekend pill” because it can provide relief from ED for up to 36 hours per dose.

• Vardenafil. The active ingredient in Levitra^®, vardenafil, provides relief from ED for four to six hours per dose.

• Avanafil. The active ingredient in Stendra^®, avanafil, is a fast-acting second-generation medication that is less likely to cause some side effects. 

These medications, which are referred to as PDE5 inhibitors, work by widening blood vessels and increasing blood flow to your penis, making it easier to get and stay hard when you’re in the mood for sex.

There is also an FDA-approved injectable medication, alprostadil, for ED, as well as a recently FDA-authorized over-the-counter gel for ED.

We offer access to several oral erectile dysfunction medications online — including chewable ED medication, which makes taking ED medication even more convenient — following a consultation with a licensed healthcare provider who will determine if a prescription is appropriate for you. 

Habits & Lifestyle Changes

An estimated 30 to 50 million men in the United States live with ED. If you’re one of them, making some simple, small changes to your lifestyle and habits can improve your erections and sexual health. 

Try to:

• Stay active and exercise regularly

• Follow a healthy, balanced diet

• Limit your alcohol consumption

• If you smoke, make an effort to quit

As well as living a balanced lifestyle, it’s important to stay on top of medical conditions that may contribute to ED. These include issues such as high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and type 2 diabetes.

While ExtenZe makes some lofty claims about its ability to provide these, there’s no scientific evidence it delivers.

If you’re thinking about trying ExtenZe or a similar male enhancement supplement, make sure to keep the following in mind:

• We don’t know if ExtenZe works. Despite the bold claims, testimonials, and ExtenZe reviews you may find online, ExtenZe hasn’t been subject to any clinical trials. They’ve also been sued for making false claims.

• Ingredients in ExtenZe may cause side effects. Some ingredients found in ExtenZe, such as yohimbe, might increase your risk of heart attack, anxiety, and seizures.

• ExtenZe may contain hidden ingredients. Although ExtenZe claims to use a “natural” formula, FDA investigations have found that ExtenZe products use hidden drug ingredients, some of which may cause side effects and interactions. 

Instead of relying on male enhancement products or herbal remedies to deal with ED, you’ll get far better results by using evidence-based erectile dysfunction medication. 

Interested in getting started? Get advice from a healthcare provider today to find a treatment plan that works for you.