Goals ›

Sexual health

Desire, sexual function and hormone support.

Strongest evidence: Iodine, Soy Isoflavones and Inositol.

Supplements for sexual health

Each supplement gets the grade of its strongest sexual health benefit. Open one to see each benefit.

StrongModerateWeakNo trials
SupplementMain effects in studiesEvidenceBenefits studied
IodineTSH↑,Tg↓, Goiter↓,volume↓44%Strong1 of 2
Soy IsoflavonesHot flashes/symptoms −40–61%, Estrogen metabolism +31% ratioStrong1 of 2
InositolInsulin↓ testosterone↓ ovulation↑, Pregnancy/egg quality↑ hormones↓Strong1 of 2
SeleniumThyroid antibodies -36%, TSH/FT4 shiftsStrong1 of 2
Black CohoshSymptom relief; hormones unchanged, Hot flashes −85%Strong2 of 2
GinsengErectile function +7, Desire/satisfaction +6Strong1 of 2
MagnesiumPTH/cortisol balance, Insulin/inflammation balanceStrong1 of 2
ZincIGF-1/growth ↑, +48%, +20%Strong1 of 2
ArginineED scores +5-12, Fertility/pregnancy +47%Moderate1 of 2
Panax GinsengErectile function +7, Sperm quality +85%Moderate1 of 2
Showing 10 of 59 supplements.

What sexual health covers

2 benefits that studies measure, and the supplements with the strongest evidence for each.

Sexual wellness

Sexual function and satisfaction, including desire, arousal and performance. It is measured on validated questionnaires such as the International Index of Erectile Function and the Female Sexual Function Index.

16 supplements, 1 strong
  1. GinsengStrong, 17
  2. ArginineModerate, 13
  3. Panax GinsengModerate, 13
  4. Tribulus TerrestrisModerate, 9
  5. AshwagandhaModerate, 4

Hormone balance

The levels of hormones such as testosterone, oestrogen, thyroid hormones and cortisol, and whether they sit in the normal range. It is measured directly in blood or saliva.

49 supplements, 7 strong
  1. IodineStrong, 224
  2. Soy IsoflavonesStrong, 41
  3. InositolStrong, 30
  4. SeleniumStrong, 25
  5. Black CohoshStrong, 17