Disclaimer: None of the information in this article constitutes medical advice, and is just the opinion of the writer(s). We recommend that patients follow their doctor’s guidance in regard to erectile dysfunction treatment.
Many consumers compare the effects of natural and pharmaceutical treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED), often favoring natural treatments if they’re similarly effective. Horny goat weed and Viagra are two of the most popular treatments for ED.
But are they similarly effective based on clinical research? Is one safer than the other? What was our experience trying horny goat weed tea? And which do we recommend?
In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more, as we analyze research studies to give our take on whether horny goat weed or Viagra is more likely to be effective for treating ED, and for enhancing sexual performance generally.
We'll also share our honest experience trying horny goat weed tea over the course of several weeks, and explain why generic Viagra may be a better choice than brand-name Viagra for patients who wish to pursue this medication.
Key takeaways:
- Horny goat weed unproven in human trials
- Viagra is clinically proven to treat ED
- Viagra has a more favorable side effect profile
Can Horny Goat Weed Naturally Treat ED?
As we documented in our review on “does horny goat weed really work?”, there have actually been legitimate medical trials on this plant for enhancing sexual function.
One such trial, published in the Asian Journal of Andrology, found that the active chemical compound in horny goat weed, called icariin, inhibits an enzyme called PDE5 which results in greater blood flow to the penis.
However this was a test tube study, so the quality of evidence is weaker than a trial with human or animal subjects.
A 2011 medical review on horny goat weed found that the herb increased testosterone levels in animal studies, but this doesn’t necessarily mean the same effects will apply to humans.
Another medical review found that icariin improved erectile function in animal studies and test tube studies.
Overall, we consider horny goat weed to be potentially effective for ED, but there isn’t enough human research to say so conclusively.
We tested horny goat weed ourselves from Full Leaf Tea company (see our Full Leaf Tea Company review article for a full review of this brand):
After using this tea for several weeks, I did notice an increase in sex drive.
Does Viagra Work for ED?
Viagra is one of the most well-studied pharmaceutical treatments for ED, having initially been approved by the FDA in 1998. The generic name for this medication is sildenafil, and we’ll use these terms interchangeably as they refer to the same active drug ingredient.
A meta-study published in the Drugs journal found that Viagra was effective for improving the frequency, hardness and duration of erections in human trial participants, and that the drug transiently reduced blood pressure levels.
A clinical trial on Viagra found that at a dose of 50 milligrams (mg), the drug increased erection duration by over 800% compared to a group taking placebo pills.
A meta-review published in the Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management journal analyzed data from over 1,000 patients using Viagra over long periods of time (4 years).
Over 94% of the patients responded that they were satisfied with the drug at each yearly assessment, and that it improved their sex life.
Viagra is clearly highly effective for the treatment of ED, and moreso than horny goat weed.
Which Has a Better Side Effect Profile?
Just because a supplement is sold over-the-counter (OTC) like horny goat weed doesn’t necessarily make it safer than a prescription drug.
We can’t identify any long-term clinical trials on the safety of horny goat weed in humans, however the plant has been used medicinally for thousands of years, so we consider it to be likely safe if dosed appropriately.
Our main concern regarding the safety of horny goat weed is that it’s typically sourced from China, a country with relatively high levels of environmental pollution, which may cause high heavy metal (and other contaminant) levels in horny goat weed supplements.
Therefore, we consider this to be a riskier supplement than average.
Viagra has been extensively safety tested, as we referenced in our review of Rugiet, another prescription ED treatment that contains the active ingredient in Viagra.
A medical review on Viagra reported that the most common side effects were headache, flushing and upset stomach. The drug’s FDA label contains no “black box” warning, which is required when a drug has life-threatening side effects.
Overall, we consider Viagra to be less likely to cause serious side effects than horny goat weed given that the drug is extensively safety tested and there are no sourcing or contamination issues.
Is Generic Viagra Cheaper?
For consumers interested in trying Viagra, we would recommend speaking with your doctor about generic sildenafil instead.
Brand-name and generic drugs contain the same active drug ingredient and are equally effective, but generic versions are often much cheaper.
GoodRx reports the average retail price of Viagra to be $822.09 currently. Most patients with health insurance will pay significantly less than this but it proves how expensive brand-name drugs can be.
On Cost Plus Drugs, which is Mark Cuban’s generic drug venture, sildenafil is available for under $7 for a month's worth of supply.
Our Clean Men's Health Picks
Illuminate Labs Panax Ginseng Extract is our top erection quality pick.
Panax ginseng was shown in a clinical trial published in The Journal of Urology to increase erectile function scores "significantly" compared to participants taking placebo pills.
MBG Vitamin D3 Potency+ is our top testosterone support pick.
Vitamin D3 supplementation has been clinically shown to increase total testosterone levels by over 25%.
Both of the products recommended in this section are free of ingredients that we consider unhealthy.
