A Urologist's Guide to Ingredients Found in Top-Selling Nutraceuticals for Men's Sexual Health

Abstract

Introduction Use of supplements is common among men seeking urologic evaluation for sexual health matters. With a dizzying array of formulations available and little regulation on the dosage, purity, or ingredients found in these products, the health effects of nutraceuticals are often confusing to patients and medical practitioners alike. Aim In this review, we set out to concisely summarize the data on ingredients found within the top-selling nutraceutical agents marketed for men's sexual health in order to provide a clinical guide for urologists. Methods We used sales data from the most popular retail provider of men's health supplements to identify the top-selling products marketed toward improvement of men's sexual health. We summarized the available information related to the ingredients, dosage, cost, and mechanism of action for these substances and performed an extensive literature search to identify and review the current evidence available for each of the most common ingredients found in these nutraceuticals. Results The top-selling nutraceuticals marked for men's sexual health contain a blend of multiple supplements (up to 33 in one formulation identified), the most common being ginseng, tribulus, zinc, horny goat weed, B complex vitamins/trace minerals, fenugreek, L-arginine, maca, DHEA, ginkgo, and yohimbine. The currently available medical literature evaluating the efficacy of these substances is generally of low quality. Conclusions Despite the dearth of evidence supporting nutraceutical agents in the men's health arena, these substances are still commonly used by patients. As these products can affect the health and well-being of men presenting to a urology clinic, a familiarity with commonly used agents can help the urologist appropriately counsel their patients.

Household Expenditures on Dietary Supplements Sold for Weight Loss, Muscle Building, and Sexual Function: Disproportionate Burden by Gender and Income

“…Prior research has similarly found evidence of social inequities in the burden these products pose, with two U.S. nationally representative studies finding lower-income adults more likely than their wealthier peers to use dietary supplements for weight loss (Pillitteri et al, 2008) and diet pills without a prescription, which is likely to include use of dietary supplements (Kakinami et al, 2014). Prior research has also found gender differences in the use of these products, with females more likely to use weight-loss supplements and males more likely to use musclebuilding supplements (Blanck et al, 2007;Eisenberg et al, 2012;Pillitteri et al, 2008). Though we were not able to find epidemiologic studies estimating the prevalence by gender of use of sexual-function supplements, these products are primarily marketed to men (Cui et al, 2015).…”

“…Prior research has also found gender differences in the use of these products, with females more likely to use weight-loss supplements and males more likely to use musclebuilding supplements (Blanck et al, 2007;Eisenberg et al, 2012;Pillitteri et al, 2008). Though we were not able to find epidemiologic studies estimating the prevalence by gender of use of sexual-function supplements, these products are primarily marketed to men (Cui et al, 2015). As might be expected, we found male-only headed households were more likely to purchase these products than other household types.…”

“…A different study assessing use of muscle-building products among adolescents found that 35% of boys had used protein powder in the past year and 11% had used other products including dietary supplements sold for muscle-building. On the other hand, 21% of girls had used protein powder in the past year and 6% had used other products including supplements sold for muscle-building (Eisenberg et al, 2012).…”

“…Despite their widespread use, dietary supplements for weight loss, muscle building, and sexual function are not medically recommended and have been shown to be ineffective in many cases (Steffen et al, 2007;Roerig et al, 2003;Blanck et al, 2007) and to pose serious health risks to consumers due to adulteration with banned substances, prescription pharmaceuticals, and other dangerous chemicals (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2017; U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2010;Cui et al, 2015). In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been well aware of this heightened risk for many years, and in 2010 issued a special warning to consumers regarding supplements sold for weight loss, muscle building, and sexual function as being more likely than other supplements to be deceptively marketed and tainted with toxic ingredients (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2010).…”

Household expenditures on dietary supplements sold for weight loss, muscle building, and sexual function: Disproportionate burden by gender and income

“…Food and Drug Administration, 2017, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2010, Cui et al, 2015). In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been well aware of this heightened risk for many years, and in 2010 issued a special warning to consumers regarding supplements sold for weight loss, muscle building, and sexual function as being more likely than other supplements to be deceptively marketed and tainted with toxic ingredients (U.S.…”