Content
Be ready for sex whenever you're in the mood
Reviewed by Mike Bohl, MD, MPH, ALM
Written by Geoffrey Whittaker
Published 06/11/2022
Updated 04/15/2024
Semenax: male enhancement pill or the worst energy drink concept in modern history?
Maybe you read a Semenax review or someone’s claims about the Semenax results they’ve experienced after a few weeks on this supplement. The truth? The Semenax before and after story that you read in the Semenax reviews may be compelling and impressive, but none of it is reliable or based in science.
Many male enhancement supplements make bold claims, but these claims are often weakly substantiated, not backed by rigorous scientific studies — or only backed by questionable studies — and not approved by the FDA.
Is Semenax one of these questionable supplements? Let’s look at the ingredients and the research behind them to answer that question.
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According to the brand’s website, Semenax is a proprietary blend of ingredients designed to increase semen volume, semen production and ejaculate volume generally.
Alongside erectile function and ejaculation, male fertility is one of the most common aspects of sexual health that men care about. This product claims to include ingredients that improve sperm motility and sperm quality in some of the language on its official website (along with a 67-day money-back guarantee) and packaging.
The producer of Semenax — a company called Leading Edge Health — claims to deliver on this promise with ingredients including natural amino acids and herbal concentrates specifically selected for their long scientific track records.
Semenax pills contain the following ingredients:
Swedish flower pollen
L-lysine
Epimedium sagittatum
Zinc aspartate and zinc oxide
L-carnitine
Catuaba bark
Pumpkin seed
Maca
Vitamin E
Pine bark extract
Muira puama
Hawthorne
Cranberry extract
Sarsaparilla
Avena sativa extract
Butea superba
It’s true that some of these ingredients have been used by a variety of cultures for sexual well-being since ancient times.
But that’s where the facts pretty much end. Dietary supplements aren’t regulated in the same way as the sexual health drugs you get from your doctor with a prescription, so there’s not much that can be claimed with absolute certainty.
Does Semenax really work? It’s hard to say. Some of the ingredients on the list above are associated with sexual health, but beyond this, there’s not much reliable research around their benefits.
But, again, some of the ingredients carry some clout:
Sarsparilla, for instance, has diuretic properties and contains steroid-like substances that are thought to increase sexual desire in men, according to the Semenax website.
Hawthorne is an antioxidant with cardiovascular benefits that Semenax claims improves the intensity and hardness of erections.
Pumpkin seed is naturally high in zinc and has been shown to support prostate health.
A study of L-arginine may have yielded some positive results somewhere, but one of the first studies we came across that looked at the benefits of L-arginine for a different purpose was actually paused early because several people died while taking the compound (there were no placebo group deaths).
As for zinc, one 1996 study found a relationship between serum testosterone level and zinc deficiency in adult men.
Some of the ingredients Semenax may be associated with improved sexual health in some men, but that’s about as far as it goes. A dietary supplement that contains many natural ingredients with “encouraging potential” does not make an effective treatment.
So are there risks or side effects associated with Semenax? The answer is a bit unclear.
The Semenax website says Semenax has “zero known adverse side effects.” That said, other sources show that the ingredients in Semenax can have side effects.
It’s hard to decipher which parts of Semenax and supplements like it could be dangerous, however; it’s quite possible that a supply of Semenax would vary in ingredient concentrations from month to month. A 2013 Pharmacognosy Review study concluded that using supplemental products for natural male enhancement may be risky due to a lack of safety data, unclear mechanisms of action for many of their active ingredients and a lack of knowledge about the safety of frequent or extended use of these substances. In other words, there are too many unknowns about long-term supplement use, which makes experts wary and against these products, especially when other options exist.
There’s reason to be cautious about using supplements in general.
Supplements like Semenax and other non-prescription options with questionable scientific backing all come with the same warnings. The data isn’t convincing, and many of these supplements just worry experts.
One study from 2019 found that some supplements for sexual enhancement can include chemicals that are not listed on the packaging. These gas station sex pills might contain ingredients that could cause side effects like blood pressure fluctuations, headaches and other symptoms. experienced by people taking prescription ED medications.
This wasn’t the first time these kinds of findings came to light; in 2015 the FDA advised consumers of the safety concerns of products like “herb Viagra” and other natural male enhancement supplements. The supplements in question in that case actually contained prescription sildenafil, the active ingredient for Viagra.
Supplements’ lack of regulation in the same way as prescription medications makes them quantifiably less safe than FDA-approved medications and treatments.
Let’s look at some of those instead.
Semenax simply can’t compare with prescription PDE5 inhibitors (Viagra, Cialis, etc.) in terms of their sexual performance record, their efficacy and their safety record. But that’s not to say that supplements can’t help at all.
Treatment for erectile dysfunction may include the occasional male enhancement product if your healthcare provider suggests it — after all, vitamin and mineral deficiencies may play into your individual issues with erectile function.
But chances are that, with the guidance of an expert, your treatment for erectile dysfunction will take the form of prescription medications, lifestyle changes and, potentially, therapy.
Medications designed to treat the problem on a chemical level might also be beneficial. Cialis® (tadalafil) and Viagra® (sildenafil citrate) are just two of the most popular medications for erectile dysfunction. These medications — phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors — work to relax the blood vessels that supply blood to your penis, which can help you achieve both initial launch and sustained flight.
There are plenty of reasons to consider the psychological causes of ED, especially if you suffer from performance anxiety, low self esteem or intimacy issues, or if you’ve previously experienced trauma or sexual assault.
Forms of active therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy can provide you with the tools you need to deal with anxious or intrusive thoughts and prevent them from having power over your sex life.
Making substantial and healthy changes to your habits and lifestyle can also put a dent in ED issues — all without having to swallow questionable capsules. Talk to your doctor about your exercise, diet and smoking and drinking habits, which could be affecting your prelaunch checklist in bed.
Reproductive health, orgasm intensity, healthy blood flow and the right mood are important to all of us, and the best way to get the most optimal sexual function isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution.
Here’s our take on whether you should use Semenax:
If Semenax is working for you, great. But even with positive results, you might want to consider the long-term effects of supplements. A healthcare provider can help you learn more and weigh your options.
While they’re doing that, your healthcare provider might also recommend other, safer and more effective treatments.
The best treatment isn’t necessarily prescription or therapy or supplement or diet —it’s what your healthcare provider recommends based on your individual needs.
To find out what those needs are, talk to a healthcare professional today. It’s the best way to “supplement” your sexual health, today or any other day.
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]!
Dr. Mike Bohl is a licensed physician and the Director of Medical Content & Authority at Hims & Hers. Prior to joining Hims & Hers, Dr. Bohl worked in digital health at Ro, focusing on patient education, and as the Director of Scientific & Medical Content at a stealth biotech startup, working on pharmaceutical drug development. He has also worked in medical journalism for The Dr. Oz Show (receiving recognition for contributions from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences when the show won Outstanding Informative Talk Show at the 2016–2017 Daytime Emmy® Awards) and at Sharecare, and he is a Medical Expert Board Member at Eat This, Not That!.
Dr. Bohl obtained his Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Medicine from Brown University, his Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Healthcare Leadership from Cornell University, his Master of Public Health from Columbia University, and his Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies—Journalism from Harvard University. Dr. Bohl trained in internal medicine with a focus on community health at NYU Langone Health.
Dr. Bohl is Certified in Public Health by the National Board of Public Health Examiners, Medical Writer Certified by the American Medical Writers Association, a certified Editor in the Life Sciences by the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences, a Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Nutrition Coach by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and a Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist by the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs. He has graduate certificates in Digital Storytelling and Marketing Management & Digital Strategy from Harvard Extension School and certificates in Business Law and Corporate Governance from Cornell Law School.
In addition to his written work, Dr. Bohl has experience creating medical segments for radio and producing patient education videos. He has also spent time conducting orthopaedic and biomaterial research at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals of Cleveland and practicing clinically as a general practitioner on international medical aid projects with Medical Ministry International.
Dr. Bohl lives in Manhattan and enjoys biking, resistance training, sailing, scuba diving, skiing, tennis, and traveling. You can find Dr. Bohl on LinkedIn for more information.
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