Natural replacement for Viagra

[mirage]

Not sure if this is the correct place for this post but here it is. I am early 50's and had surgery for prostate cancer 2 years ago. Viagra works fine and sometimes I even get by without it, but I would really rather find a natural supplement. I am otherwise healthy, just had an annual physical, don't take any other drugs and would like to keep it that way. I am not interested in supplements you see advertised on TV or the ones that pop up when you search the web. Thanks in advance.

[Job29Man]

Good luck with this. It has been the subject of an intensive search by all humankind for millenia. The poor rhinoceros almost went extinct because Chinese thought that ground up rhino horn was the trick. Each culture seems to have their "answer" to this. I don't know that any true answer was ever found, or there would be no need for viagra.

How's your general health? Do you exercise? Weight to height OK? Are you on ANY meds for BP, cholesterol, anything? These can affect erections too, and perhaps you'd get as much of a "boost" from getting off meds as from finding a mildly effective herb. Even losing a little body fat can help (especially belly fat) if you have any.

[floridarv]

I had success with this product: http://www.hgpills.com/pd-naturect.cfm

[pilgrim1]

L-ARGININE powder form works spectacular if you have no heart issues...check with your Doctor though!

[gymaddict]

L arginine did nothing for me in my late fifties when I was on a daily regimen of it.

Yohimbe however really gave me good erections. Problem is, yohimbe increases blood pressure so if you have a blood pressure problems, you should not use this stuff.

[texashubby]

There have only been two studies to date, however, evaluating the effectiveness of L-arginine for erectile dysfunction.

One study involved 50 men who took L-arginine (5 grams a day) or a placebo. After six weeks, significantly more men taking L-arginine experienced an improvement in sexual function compared with men taking the placebo. Interestingly, it only benefited men who had initially low levels of nitric oxide.

Another study using a smaller dose of L-arginine and a shorter treatment duration found no benefit with L-arginine use. The study involved 32 men with erectile dysfunction who took oral L-arginine supplements (500 milligrams three times per day) or a placebo for 17 days. Oral L-arginine was no better than the placebo.

Side effects may include digestive complaints. High dosees of L-arginine may stimulate the body's production of gastrin, a hormone that increases stomach acid. For this reason, L-arginine may be harmful for individuals with ulcers and people taking drugs that are hard on the stomach.

L-arginine may also alter potassium levels in the body, especially in people with liver disease. It should not be taken by people who are on medications that alter potassium levels, such as potassium sparing diuretics and ACE inhibitors.

[blushingwife]

Get a complete physical including hormones.
Regardless of whether things come back fine or not, take up exercising (including weight lifting and cardio) and eat a healthy diet.
Supplements don't help much, specially if there are underlying poblems.

[heartofsong]

My hubby has seen an increase in orgasm intensity when taking Gingko Bilboa and Ginseng... but I don't think the effect would be anywhere near the potency of Viagra. (Not sure because he's never taken Viagra.)

[Crown of Iron]

My hubby has seen an increase in orgasm intensity when taking Gingko Bilboa and Ginseng... but I don't think the effect would be anywhere near the potency of Viagra. :?: (Not sure because he's never taken Viagra.)

You'll get that kind of sensation with Saw Palmetto; the first time I took it (for BPH), I discovered its very desirable side-effect.

[mom210]

L arginine did nothing for me in my late fifties when I was on a daily regimen of it.

Yohimbe however really gave me good erections. Problem is, yohimbe increases blood pressure so if you have a blood pressure problems, you should not use this stuff.

Many people do not take enough l-arginine..to be effective the dose for many needs to be 5000 mg- 10000 mgs daily

My dh also takes a potassium supplement daily

[mirage]

Thank you so much for all the responses, I have located a listing with side effects on the Mayo Clinic website. Seems like everything has some kind of side effect, some less desirable than others. I have found a naturopathic doctor who actually addresses mens health and I am waiting on a call back. In the meantime it seems like the ginkgo and ginseng are the place to start. Once again thanks to everyone and if anyone has any other thoughts please let me know.

[Paul B]

Have you tried splitting the pills (someone makes a pill splitter shaped for this)? A lot of guys find half does the job just fine.

Paul

[g8rb8]

Mirage,

Praying that you find the thing that will help you through this. I had prostate surgery (daVinci) a year ago at 45 and sounds like we're in similar situations. Use Viagra sometimes, but it's not always needed. Paul's suggestion of a pill splitter is a good one, especially if you're getting 100mg pills. I was able to figure out that I could get four effective doses from one pill that way. Losing some weight and getting more active has also, I believe, helped me.

I'd be interested to hear what the doctor you referred to has recommended.

May all your PSAs be clean and all the works do the things they're supposed to!

Off topic, but had to throw this in... browsing the web this weekend, landed on a prostate cancer support group's site and started looking at t-shirts on the site.... my favorite, that I'll never wear, 'cause I wouldn't want to have to explain it:

"Prostate cancer leaves you with a DRY sense of humor."