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Highlights
- VigRX Plus is an herbal supplement that claims to increase your libido, make your erections look better and feel better, and give you more control.
- The scientific evidence for these claims is limited at best, and there are questions about how VigRX Plus presents scientific research on its site.
- While VigRX has conducted its own studies, there are concerns regarding their results and how the company represents them.
- Prescription ED medication has been rigorously studied and is far more likely to offer safe and effective results.
In our ongoing series on gas station sex pills and male enhancement herbal supplements, we’ve found a wide range of approaches to the “science” behind these products. Does VigRX Plus hold up to scrutiny? Learn about what’s in VigRX, whether it can back up its claims, what possible risks are involved with using it, and how to get the most effective ED treatment.
What is the VigRX Plus Male Enhancement Pill?
According to its official site, VigRX Plus is a “male virility supplement” that will increase libido, improve the “look and feel” of your erections, give you better control over your erections, and increase both frequency and intensity of your orgasms.
Of note, however, at the bottom of their official site is a disclaimer: “These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.” The reason for this is that, legally speaking, VigRX Plus is an herbal supplement, which has substantially less federal oversight than prescription medications.
What Are the Ingredients in VigRX Plus?
The VigRX Plus site shows signs of not being updated in several years, including a URL marked as “old ingredients.” Despite that, labels we found on current sites selling the product seem to line up.
The ingredients include:
- Damina
- Epimedium (also called “horny goat weed”)
- Red ginseng
- Muira pauma
- Hawthorn berry
- Catuaba bark
- Saw palmetto
- Ginkgo biloba
- Black pepper (called “Bioperine” here)
Is There Any Evidence to Support VigRX Plus’ Effects On ED?
In the course of researching these herbal supplements, we’ve looked into the research on several of these ingredients, most of which either have limited effects or no effects at all. In some cases, there is limited evidence that the ingredient works as claimed, but studies clearly state that more research is needed before definite conclusions can be drawn.
Here’s what the research shows about the ingredients in VigRX Plus.
- Damina. Damina, also known as Turnera diffusa, is a plant that has traditionally been used as an aphrodisiac. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support its efficacy in treating erectile dysfunction (ED). More research is needed to establish its potential benefits and safety profile.
- Epimedium. Epimedium, commonly known as “horny goat weed,” contains a compound called icariin. Some studies suggest that icariin may have phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitory effects, similar to sildenafil (Viagra). This could potentially help with ED. However, the evidence is not robust, and more clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy.
- Red ginseng. Red ginseng, also known as Panax ginseng, has been studied for its potential benefits in treating ED. Some clinical trials have shown positive effects of red ginseng on ED, possibly due to its ginsenoside content. It may improve nitric oxide production, which can enhance blood flow to the penis. But again, more research is needed to prove it.
- Muira pauma. Muira pauma, also known as “potency wood,” is traditionally used in Brazilian folk medicine. A preliminary study suggests it might have a positive effect on libido and erectile function — in rats and when included in a combination that included three other herbs. The scientific evidence is limited on muira pauma itself, and human research is needed to confirm its benefits, used alone or in combination with other ingredients.
- Hawthorn berry. Hawthorn berry is primarily known for its cardiovascular benefits. There is some research, but it seems mostly concerned with hawthorn’s anticoagulant and anti-oxidant properties and the potential risks of combining it with other substances that have those effects. We were unable to find any studies on hawthorn and its effect on erectile dysfunction, though it may improve blood flow and heart health, which could indirectly benefit ED.
- Catuaba bark. Catuaba bark, also known as Trichilia catigua, is a traditional remedy from Brazil. It’s believed to have aphrodisiac properties. Some animal studies suggest it might have CNS stimulant and vasodilatory effects, meaning it could help with erectile function. However, there’s a lack of robust clinical evidence supporting its use for ED and very few studies on humans.
- Saw palmetto. Saw palmetto is often used for prostate health. Some believe it can benefit ED by improving prostate health and hormonal balance. However, not only has that not held up under scientific scrutiny, there’s even evidence that saw palmetto may contribute to ED. However, this needs to be studied in more detail before a clear conclusion can be made either way.
- Ginkgo biloba. Ginkgo biloba is known for its potential benefits in cognitive function and circulation. Some studies suggest that it might inhibit the PDE5 enzyme, as well, which is the same mechanism of action as sildenafil (Viagra) and other ED medications. However, its effects are said to be moderate compared to sildenafil. What’s more, ginkgo biloba can have significant side effects and drug interactions.
- Piperine (Bioperine). Piperine is a compound found in black pepper which can enhance the absorption of other compounds. Bioperine is a patented form of piperine. In the context of ED, piperine is often used in combination with other herbs to enhance their effectiveness. Direct evidence linking black pepper or piperine to ED treatment is sparse.
While some of these ingredients have shown potential benefits in preliminary studies, more robust clinical trials are needed to confirm their efficacy and safety. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement or treatment.
What Does VigRX Plus Say About Its Results?
Our research stands in stark contrast to VigRX’s own study, widely touted on its website, and first published in 2010. That study reports substantial improvement in just about every aspect of a man’s sex life.
To the company’s credit, this is a blind placebo study, a much more scientifically rigorous standard than most studies we see that support herbal supplements. However, this study has several red flags.
- Insofar as we can tell, it has not been peer reviewed by objective authorities.
- The sample size is small, with just 60 completed cases and 75 men in total.
- All the men are drawn from the same region.
- The results are driven by surveys and questionnaires, not objective data collection, and self-report studies are notorious for lacking accuracy.
- The study is also contradicted by others, such as this one from the same year, which found no significant impact.
We found other issues in how VigRX represents itself as well. For example, it cites this study published by the journal BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies on its website.
But instead of linking to the publication directly, it instead features the cover of the Journal of Urology on its website, and if you click on the link, it leads to a screenshot of a response to the study, not the study itself. The comment in question? A urologist expressing concern about possible unreported prescription medication in the herbal supplements supplied to the subjects.
And while the site is filled with testimonials, if you scroll to the bottom, you find that everybody who gave them a testimonial received free products from the company.
Is VigRX Plus Safe?
VigRX Plus faces the same problems many herbal supplements, no matter how honest the company, faces:
- Ingredient quality. Like any plant, herbs are dependent on their environment, and the active substances in any herb can vary widely from year to year with even the most effective farming techniques.
- Quality control. While herbal supplements made in the United States are subject to inspection and other quality standards, products can be tainted across the entire supply chain. It’s not clear where VigRX is made, although it doesn’t claim to be made in the U.S. and lists contact addresses in Australia and Cyprus.
- Counterfeit products. Like any herbal supplement, VigRX has a problem with its art and assets being stolen by counterfeiters, so much so that it has a verification tool on the packaging to confirm you’re getting the correct product.
In addition, for all the research the company cites, there’s little discussion of possible risks of drug interactions or any study of how any of its twelve ingredients interact with each other. Like anything that might have an effect on your body, review what’s in VigRX with your doctor before taking it.
How Much Does VigRX Plus Cost?
The manufacturer of VigRx recommends taking this supplement daily, so you will need to make an initial investment of $69.95 for a one-month supply. If you buy multiple boxes, the price goes down — you can currently buy three boxes and get two free, for example.
Compared with the cost of Viagra, this may sound like a good deal — if it works for you. But when compared with sildenafil, the generic form of Viagra, VigRX will cost you far more. While the cost of VigRx is about $2.33 per pill, you need to take it every day. What’s more, the manufacturer states that you may need to take it for three months before you’ll see any effect.
In contrast, the national per-pill average for 50 milligram sildenafil — the typical starting dose — is $3.09 as of this writing, but many U.S. retailers are pricing it between 50 cents and $1.00 per pill. When you consider that you only need to take sildenafil as needed, rather than every day, that’s a much better deal — for an FDA-approved medication that’s scientifically proven to work.
Not to mention that for nearly all men, prescription ED meds like Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra work the first time, every time.
Get Real, Effective, Tested Male Enhancement
Risking your money and your health on untested herbal supplements is risky. By contrast, FDA approved erectile dysfunction medication has been thoroughly tested before it went on the market and is carefully monitored afterward.
Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors have been shown to treat ED, both in the lab and in the real world. Moreover, when you get a prescription for PDE5 inhibitors, you also consult with your doctor about the many possible root causes of ED. You can work out a treatment plan that not only helps you in the short term, but supports your personal and sexual health for the long term.
To learn more, visit our erectile dysfunction page!
Dan is a long-time freelance writer focusing on technology, science, health, and medicine, with a lifelong interest in physics, biology, and medicine. His work has taken a particular focus on scientific studies “beyond the headlines,” reading the study to more closely examine the results.