From the Guidelines
There is currently insufficient scientific evidence to recommend lion's mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) as an effective treatment for sexual issues like erectile dysfunction or low libido. While some preliminary animal studies suggest that lion's mane may have potential benefits for the nervous system and could theoretically impact sexual function through its effects on nerve growth factor and blood circulation, human clinical trials specifically examining its effects on sexual health are lacking.
Key Points to Consider
- Lion's mane supplements are generally considered safe for most people when taken in typical doses (500-3000 mg daily), but they should not replace proven medical treatments for sexual dysfunction such as PDE5 inhibitors (like sildenafil or tadalafil) or hormone therapy when appropriate.
- The American College of Physicians recommends that clinicians initiate therapy with a PDE-5 inhibitor in men who seek treatment for erectile dysfunction and who do not have a contraindication to PDE-5 inhibitor use (Grade: strong recommendation; high-quality evidence) 1.
- Treatment of sexual dysfunction requires a multidimensional treatment plan that addresses the underlying issues, as guided by the specific type of problem, and referrals to specialists (ie, psychotherapy, sexual/couples counseling, urology, sexual health specialist) should be made if appropriate and available 1.
- If you're experiencing sexual health issues, it's best to consult with a healthcare provider who can properly diagnose the underlying cause and recommend evidence-based treatments.
Important Considerations
- Sexual dysfunction often has physical, psychological, or relationship-based causes that require comprehensive assessment and targeted interventions rather than supplementation alone.
- PDE5i treatment has been shown to improve the symptoms of ED and be well tolerated, and many studies have also shown the efficacy and tolerability of PDE5i for treating ED in patients with cancer and survivors 1.
- Testosterone therapy may relieve symptoms of ED, problems with ejaculation, or problems with orgasm for survivors with hypogonadism, and the addition of testosterone to PDE5i therapy in individuals with low serum testosterone levels may also improve ED 1.
From the Research
Lion's Mane and Sexual Issues
There is no direct evidence in the provided studies to support the effectiveness of lion's mane for treating sexual issues such as erectile dysfunction (ED) or low libido.
- The studies focus on various treatments for sexual dysfunction, including hormone replacement therapy 2, sildenafil 3, 4, 5, and testosterone replacement therapy 4, 6.
- These studies suggest that sildenafil and testosterone replacement therapy can be effective in treating ED and low libido in certain patient populations 4, 5, 6.
- However, there is no mention of lion's mane as a potential treatment for sexual issues in any of the provided studies.
- Therefore, it cannot be concluded that lion's mane is effective for treating sexual issues such as ED or low libido based on the available evidence 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.