Ginger for Better Sex? Here’s What the Science Says

People have used ginger for centuries to treat various health conditions, with fresh ginger root taken for nausea and inflammation and other forms like ginger tea supposedly improving blood circulation, reducing the risk of heart disease, and promoting wellness. All of these upsides may lead you to wonder, are there any ginger benefits sexually?

According to some research, fresh ginger supplementation can improve sexual function, such as if you have erectile function conditions like erectile dysfunction (ED) or premature ejaculation. It may also boost sexual performance and promote overall sexual health. But there’s a disclaimer about much of this research: It’s limited.

Below, we’ve covered the ginger benefits for men sexually and how the benefits of ginger might offer some sexual benefits.

While no single food can prevent sexual dysfunction no matter how much of it you eat, a healthy diet overall can improve your sex life or even increase sexual desire. Plus, there could be other health benefits of ginger that might enhance sexual intercourse.

Ginger has been part of natural remedies for most of humanity’s existence, and consuming it has been indirectly linked to benefits ranging from the treatment of infertility to the management of obesity.

While traditional medicine is sold on the overall beneficial effects of ginger and the “gingerol” compounds that scientists continue to link to health benefits, the full picture of the benefits of ginger is more limited. There is not much out there in terms of results from systematic reviews, animal studies, and other controlled research.

There are three main health benefits of ginger: improved blood flow, decreased oxidative stress, and potentially, some fertility benefits related to sperm quality and viability.

Let’s look at these in more detail.

Increases Blood Flow

While studies on how ginger affects sexual function are limited, this medicinal plant has been shown to lower blood pressure. Ginger also can be used to lower blood pressure in those with hypertension (also known as high blood pressure).

Studies have also found a connection between higher blood pressure and a higher risk of sexual dysfunction in men. So if ginger helps lower blood pressure and widen blood vessels, it could increase sexual arousal and libido.

Additionally, ginger has been found to increase blood flow. An in-vitro study (a study done in a test tube but not on humans or animals) showed that ginger can prevent blood clots and help widen blood vessels — the latter of which is a crucial component of getting an erection.

Following an encounter that results in sexual arousal, the body releases nitric oxide, which helps relax the smooth muscles in the penis. This relaxation allows for increased blood flow to the penis, which is necessary for an erection.

Reduces Oxidative Stress

Ginger has been found to reduce inflammation as well as oxidative stress. The latter is a condition marked by an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in your body, which can lead to inflammation and cell damage.

Some studies have suggested that oxidative stress negatively affects male fertility and may contribute to sperm damage, but more research is needed to fully understand the effect. Further, most studies on these of benefits of ginger have been done on animals rather than humans.

Still, animal and test tube studies have found that ginger may help to reduce oxidative stress and other age-related cell changes in combination with other ingredients, which could help treat erectile dysfunction.

At this point, studies on the effects ginger has on reducing oxidative stress — and in turn, sexual dysfunction — are promising. However, more research is needed to better understand how ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties can affect sexual arousal in men.

Might Improve Fertility

Another of the possible ginger benefits for men is that it could improve fertility, according to some studies.

Studies in animals have found that ginger might boost testosterone production by increasing blood flow, reducing oxidative stress, and increasing reproductive hormone levels, per one review.

Ginger has also been found to increase sperm concentration in ejaculation and testosterone levels while improving sperm count and sperm motility.

Still, more studies are needed to know if ginger has a real influence on male fertility through improved sperm count and increased testosterone production.

Worried about your sex drive, but don’t want to take medications like Viagra^® because you’re concerned about the side effects? Ginger probably isn’t going to solve your problem — at least not by itself.

Yes, ginger benefits sexually may include increased blood flow and levels of sexual hormones, as well as lower oxidative stress. All of these ginger benefits for men combined could help to reduce sexual dysfunction issues like erectile dysfunction.

That said, more research on humans is needed to really understand how to best use this aphrodisiac for your sexual well-being.

If you’re currently struggling with sexual dysfunction, there are other more scientifically vetted options. Your healthcare provider may recommend certain medications — for example, erectile dysfunction is often treated with sildenafil or tadalafil.

You can also connect with a healthcare provider online to discuss more ED medications and treatment options.