VigRX Plus: Results, Side Effects, and More

VigRX Plus® is marketed as the “world’s leading male enhancement product,” but does it really work?

Maybe you’re struggling with issues like premature ejaculation (PE) or decreased sexual desire. Or perhaps you’re one of the 30 million men dealing with erectile dysfunction (ED) in the U.S. In any case, natural products like VigRX Plus might seem like easy solutions.

As an over-the-counter dietary supplement, VigRX Plus doesn’t require a prescription, and you can order it online. This saves you the trouble of talking about your sex life at a doctor’s office.

We get it — wanting a quick, fuss-free fix to sexual performance issues is understandable. But there are potential downsides to using male-enhancement pills like VigRx Plus.

Below, we’ll discuss what VigRX Plus is, what the product contains, if it can actually improve men’s health or sexual stamina, and whether this dietary supplement is worth your time (or money).

VigRX Plus is a dietary supplement that claims to improve male sexual performance. It’s manufactured by the Canada-based company Leading Edge Health.

The VigRX Plus formulation contains:

• Asian red ginseng (panax ginseng)

• Bioperine

• Catuaba bark extract

• Damiana

• Epimedium leaf extract (horny goat weed)

• Ginkgo biloba

• Hawthorn berries

• Muira pauma bark extract

• Saw palmetto

The purported benefits include increased blood flow to the penis, better control over erections, and heightened sexual desire. Supposedly, this is all thanks to a combination of herbs used in alternative medicine for their aphrodisiac properties.

According to VigRX Plus’s official website, the sexual enhancement supplement is for people who have:

• Erectile difficulties

• Poor control over their erections

• Low-quality orgasms

• Reduced sexual stamina or low sexual energy

• Overall difficulty with sexual function

Complying with FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) supplement rules, the company states that its product isn’t intended to diagnose, treat, or cure diseases.

So VigRX shouldn’t be used in place of medical care from a professional physician or licensed healthcare provider.

According to the manufacturer, some may benefit from being able to purchase VigRX Plus without a prescription.

VigRX Plus is taken twice daily, with one pill per dose.

One box is meant to last 30 days, with results building over the course of 30 to 60 days.

Now, for the big question: Does VigRX Plus work?

The manufacturer claims that the product targets nitric oxide levels, helping relax the smooth muscle tissue of the corpus cavernosa (the spongy tissue of the penis) to increase blood flow. Blood flow is crucial for getting and maintaining an erection.

Research on VigRX Plus Effectiveness

One small study of 78 men using VigRX Plus found that the supplement was effective at improving sexual function and generally well-tolerated with fairly minimal adverse effects.

Compared to the placebo group, men taking VigRX Plus saw better and more significant improvements in orgasmic function, intercourse satisfaction, and sexual desire over 12 weeks.

But there’s a catch. The study was done on younger and middle-aged men (aged 25 to 50). Though erectile dysfunction can affect guys of all ages, the older set may be more likely to develop ED.

We should also note that this study was funded by Leading Edge Health, the manufacturer of VigRX Plus, and researchers were compensated. So, even though this was a placebo-controlled study, there does appear to be some bias.

Another small study tested VigRX Plus for the treatment of premature ejaculation. It found that VigRX doesn’t work significantly better than a placebo.

On the product review site Trustpilot, VigRX Plus’s reviews give the product a rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars.

Some reviewers have mentioned that they experienced harder erections and an increase in sexual desire after taking the pills for 30 days. However, others with ED said they didn’t experience any changes after taking a three-month supply of the pills.

Leading Edge Health has a 5-out-of-5 rating with the Better Business Bureau, a nonprofit that provides information on businesses in terms of ethics, trustworthiness, and consumer complaints.

As with any medication or supplement, it’s possible to experience adverse effects when using VigRX Plus. Notably, VigRX Plus reviews have mentioned unwanted side effects of nausea, headaches, and diarrhea.

Some of the ingredients may have associated VigRX Plus side effects:

• Damiana. According to wellness experts, people use damiana frequently to treat headaches, depression, constipation, and upset stomach. But there’s no evidence linking its use with sexual health conditions. Side effects can include allergic reactions, difficulty breathing, seizures, fever, trouble swallowing, nausea, and vomiting.

• Ginkgo biloba. There’s insufficient evidence to prove any medical uses for ginkgo biloba. Those taking this herbal supplement may experience headaches, upset stomach, or allergic skin reactions.

• Saw palmetto. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), saw palmetto might help folks with urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate gland. People who take this herbal medicine may experience headaches or digestive symptoms.

Beyond VigRX side effects, another disadvantage is possible interactions with prescription medications. So definitely ask your healthcare provider before starting this supplement to see if it might interfere with other drugs you’re taking.

Like other over-the-counter male virility products claiming to provide reliable erections and enhanced libido, VigRX Plus isn’t approved by the FDA. This means it’s not regulated the way prescription drugs are.

The FDA even recommends people avoid buying sexual enhancement pills marketed as dietary supplements because they may contain hidden ingredients that pose a health risk.

Some VigRX Plus reviews have found this product to be useful in improving erectile function with few to no side effects. But there simply aren’t enough studies or clinical trials available to understand if VigRX Plus is an effective ED treatment.

While many products claim to treat the symptoms of ED safely and successfully, the American Urological Association offers specific guidelines on ED treatment:

• Those with ED symptoms should undergo thorough medical, sexual, and psychosocial assessments, along with a physical exam and laboratory tests.

• People with ED need to complete questionnaires to help find the right treatment plans.

• Healthcare practitioners should advise that ED in males may indicate cardiovascular disease or other heart-related medical conditions.

Always consult a qualified medical professional before taking supplements to discuss possible adverse effects or medication interactions.

Generally, there’s not enough research on whether VigRX ingredients help with moderate erectile dysfunction or low sexual desire. But alternatives to VigRX are available.

If you’re dealing with ED, premature ejaculation, low sex drive, or any other sexual health issues, connect with a healthcare professional to see what options might be right for you.

Your provider may suggest prescription medication, lifestyle changes, or even behavioral therapy to address symptoms while uncovering the underlying cause of sexual function issues.

Erectile Dysfunction Treatments

For those with difficulty maintaining an erection, a healthcare professional may prescribe medications known as PDE5 inhibitors.

These FDA-approved meds have been proven to help with erectile dysfunction by improving blood flow to the penis — and unlike VigRX, they’re backed by numerous peer-reviewed clinical studies.

Erectile dysfunction medications include:

• Sildenafil (Viagra®)

• Tadalafil (Cialis®)

• Vardenafil (Levitra®)

• Avanafil (Stendra®)

Hims also offers access to chewable ED meds formulated as hard mints featuring the same ingredients in Viagra and Cialis at different dosages.

Premature Ejaculation Treatments

For premature ejaculation, your healthcare provider may prescribe certain medications off-label to improve ejaculatory control. (Off-label means a drug is prescribed for something the FDA hasn’t approved it for.) Or you can find support through non-prescription topical products.

Premature ejaculation treatments include:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

• Delay sprays, delay wipes, and climax control condoms made with anesthetics like benzocaine or lidocaine to reduce sensation

• PDE5 inhibitors like the ones mentioned above

Hims also offers access to a two-in-one personalized pill that supports better erections and longer-lasting sex with prescription-strength ingredients.

VigRX Plus is a male sexual enhancement supplement. Some users claim it can elevate the natural desire for sex, help maintain harder erections, and improve your sex life overall.

But is VigRX the best choice for boosting your sex life? Here’s what to remember:

• Dietary supplements can be risky. Despite what some positive VigRX Plus reviews say, male-enhancement supplements might contain hidden ingredients and aren’t always safe or effective for erectile dysfunction or other sexual issues.

• There isn’t enough scientific evidence to support the use of VigRX for sexual dysfunction. The ingredients in this product aren’t backed by enough research to support claims of improving sexual health, and they may even cause unwanted side effects. See our guide to male-enhancement sex pills for more info on this topic.

• Better options are available. From PDE5 inhibitors to topical anesthetics, various other options are proven to improve erectile function. Find these products and more on our sexual health platform.

Ready to take the next steps? Connect with a healthcare provider online today to revamp your sex life and explore ED medications.

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.