Guide
Erectile Dysfunction Causes: The Heart Link, Medicines and Where HoneyBoost Fits
Erectile dysfunction means not being able to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex. Common erectile dysfunction causes are heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, some medicines and stress. ED can signal a heart problem, so see a clinician. HoneyBoost gummies are a supplement, not an ED treatment.
Written by the HoneyBoost label deskUpdated
The basics01
What is erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is not being able to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex (Mayo Clinic, ED Symptoms and Causes). It is common, it is not a character flaw, and it is often treatable.
Cleveland Clinic says ED affects over 50% of males between ages 40 and 70, and the real numbers may be higher (Cleveland Clinic, Erectile Dysfunction). One bad night does not mean ED. Repeated trouble does mean it is worth a conversation.
Mayo Clinic adds that problems with erections can be a sign of a health condition that needs treatment (Mayo Clinic, ED Symptoms and Causes). That is why this guide starts with the body and the doctor, not with a bottle.
Causes02
What are the main erectile dysfunction causes?
ED has physical and mental causes, and many men have both. Heart disease, clogged blood vessels, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and some prescription medicines are the physical ones Mayo Clinic lists (Mayo Clinic, ED Symptoms and Causes).
Depression, anxiety, other mental health conditions, stress and relationship problems are the mental ones. NIDDK also lists low testosterone as a cause (NIDDK, Treatment for ED). Cleveland Clinic notes that ED is a common side effect of many prescription drugs (Cleveland Clinic, Erectile Dysfunction).
| Type | Examples | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Heart and vessels | Heart disease, clogged vessels, high blood pressure | Get a heart check |
| Metabolic | Diabetes, obesity, low testosterone | Ask about blood tests |
| Medicines | Antidepressants, blood pressure drugs, diuretics, antihistamines, sedatives | Ask your doctor; do not stop on your own |
| Mind and stress | Depression, anxiety, stress, partner issues | Talk to a clinician or counselor |
The medicine classes above are a partial list from Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland Clinic, Erectile Dysfunction). Never stop a prescribed medicine on your own (NIDDK, Treatment for ED).
ED and heart health03
How are ED and heart health linked?
ED and heart disease share the same blood vessels. ED can be the first symptom of an underlying problem, including heart disease (Cleveland Clinic, Erectile Dysfunction), and Mayo Clinic calls it a risk factor for heart disease (Mayo Clinic, ED Symptoms and Causes).
A meta-analysis of 12 studies with 36,744 men found that men with ED had a 48% higher relative risk of cardiovascular disease, 46% higher for coronary heart disease and 35% higher for stroke (Dong 2011, ED and Cardiovascular Risk (JACC)). This is an association seen in groups of men. It does not mean ED causes a heart attack, and it says nothing about any one man.
The practical point is simple. A man with new ED should have his blood pressure, blood sugar and heart risk checked. Blood tests can also look for low testosterone (Mayo Clinic, ED Diagnosis and Treatment). A supplement cannot do that check for you.
Chest pain or fainting means call 911.
Care04
How do clinicians treat erectile dysfunction?
They look for the cause first, then choose from lifestyle steps, pills, devices or injections. Oral prescription medicines include sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil and avanafil (Mayo Clinic, ED Diagnosis and Treatment).
These pills can cause harm in people who take nitrate drugs such as nitroglycerin, who have heart disease or heart failure, or who have very low blood pressure (Mayo Clinic, ED Diagnosis and Treatment). MedLinePlus tells readers to tell their doctor or pharmacist about nitrates (MedlinePlus, Sildenafil). A prescriber matches the choice to your health.
| Step | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Lifestyle | Quit smoking, lose excess weight, be more active, treat alcohol or drug overuse |
| Oral medicine | PDE5 inhibitors, which improve blood flow to the penis (NIDDK, Treatment for ED) |
| Other options | Injection therapy and other treatments chosen with a clinician |
Before using any supplement, check with a healthcare professional (Mayo Clinic, ED Diagnosis and Treatment). NIDDK gives the same advice (NIDDK, Treatment for ED).
HoneyBoost: from $49 a bottle30 gummies a bottle · 2, 3 or 6 bottles · shipping shown at checkout · 60-day money-back guarantee
See packsDaily habits05
What habits help with erection problems?
Quitting smoking, losing excess weight, moving more and cutting back on alcohol are the steps Mayo Clinic names (Mayo Clinic, ED Diagnosis and Treatment). They also help the heart.
- See a clinicianErection problems can be a sign of a health condition that needs treatment and a risk factor for heart disease. (Mayo Clinic, ED Symptoms and Causes) (Cleveland Clinic, Erectile Dysfunction)
- Stop smokingTobacco is on Mayo Clinic's list of physical causes, and quitting is a first step in Mayo, NIDDK and Cleveland Clinic advice. (Mayo Clinic, ED Symptoms and Causes) (Mayo Clinic, ED Diagnosis and Treatment) (NIDDK, Treatment for ED)
- Lose excess weightObesity and metabolic syndrome are listed causes; losing excess weight is a listed first step. (Mayo Clinic, ED Symptoms and Causes) (Mayo Clinic, ED Diagnosis and Treatment)
- Move moreMore physical activity is on the treatment lists of Mayo Clinic, NIDDK and Cleveland Clinic. (Mayo Clinic, ED Diagnosis and Treatment) (NIDDK, Treatment for ED) (Cleveland Clinic, Erectile Dysfunction)
- Limit alcohol and added sugarAlcohol overuse is a listed cause; NIDDK lists limiting alcohol as a lifestyle change. Diabetes is a listed cause too, and added sugar is the part of diet you can read on a label. (Mayo Clinic, ED Symptoms and Causes) (NIDDK, Treatment for ED) (AHA, Added Sugars)
- Check medicines and sleepSome prescription medicines and sleep conditions are listed causes. Do not stop a medicine on your own; ask the prescriber. (Mayo Clinic, ED Symptoms and Causes) (NIDDK, Treatment for ED) (NIDDK, Treatment for ED)
More ideas are on men's vitality habits. If you suspect low testosterone, read low testosterone basics and the guide to "testosterone boosters".
HoneyBoost and ED06
Is HoneyBoost an ED treatment?
No. HoneyBoost is a dietary supplement in gummy form. It is not an ED medicine and not FDA-approved, and no study has tested it for ED.
The FDA does not approve supplements before they are sold, and a product claiming to treat a disease would be a drug (FDA, Questions and Answers on Dietary Supplements). The label prints "Bigger Drive. Harder. Longer." as a quoted line. We do not repeat it as a claim.
One line does have an ED trial behind it. A meta-analysis of 10 trials with 540 men with mild to moderate ED found a benefit from L-arginine at 1,500 to 5,000 mg a day (Rhim 2019, Arginine and ED Meta-analysis (J Sex Med)). A HoneyBoost gummy prints 10 mg. That is 0.7% of the lowest studied dose.
| Label line | Per gummy | Studied amount |
|---|---|---|
| L-arginine | 10 mg | 1,500 to 5,000 mg a day, mild to moderate ED (Rhim 2019, Arginine and ED Meta-analysis (J Sex Med)) |
| Maca extract | 10 mg | 2,400 mg of extract a day, mild ED, 50 men (Zenico 2009, Maca in Mild ED) |
L-arginine can lower blood pressure, so ask first if you take nitrates or blood pressure medicine (Mayo Clinic, L-arginine). See does HoneyBoost work and side effects.
Get help07
When should you see a doctor about ED?
See a doctor if ED lasts, if it starts suddenly, or if you have heart, blood sugar or blood pressure concerns. An erection lasting more than four hours is an emergency (Mayo Clinic, Priapism).
Prolonged erections are documented with prescription ED drugs and injections (Mayo Clinic, Priapism), not with this gummy. The rule applies whatever the cause.
- Erection problems that lastSee a healthcare professional, especially if you have diabetes or heart disease. ED can be the first symptom of heart disease.
- Signs of low testosteroneLow desire, low energy or fewer spontaneous erections need a blood test, usually two morning samples, not a store-bought booster.
- You take a nitrateED medicines and some supplements can drop blood pressure too low with nitrates. Ask your doctor before any sexual health product.
- A product works like a drugFast, drug-like effects from a 'natural' product can mean hidden prescription drugs. Stop it and report it to FDA MedWatch.
- Call 911 or get care nowChest pain or fainting: call 911. An erection lasting more than 4 hours: get care right away.
From Mayo Clinic (Mayo Clinic, ED Symptoms and Causes) (Mayo Clinic, ED Diagnosis and Treatment), Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland Clinic, Erectile Dysfunction) (Cleveland Clinic, Low Testosterone), NIDDK (NIDDK, Treatment for ED) and FDA (FDA, Sexual Enhancement and Energy Product Notifications) (FDA, MedWatch). This list is not complete, and a supplement is never a reason to wait.
FAQ08
Erectile dysfunction questions
Can ED be a sign of heart disease?
Yes. Cleveland Clinic says ED can be the first symptom of an underlying problem, including heart disease. A study of 12 groups of men found about a 48% higher relative risk of cardiovascular disease. See a clinician for a heart check.
Which medicines cause erectile dysfunction?
Cleveland Clinic lists antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, blood pressure medicines, diuretics, antihistamines, Parkinson's drugs, prostate cancer drugs and sedatives, among others. Do not stop any of them on your own. Ask your doctor about options.
Does stress cause erectile dysfunction?
It can. Mayo Clinic lists depression, anxiety, other mental health conditions, stress and partner problems as causes. Mental and physical causes often overlap, so a doctor visit can sort out both.
Can low testosterone cause ED?
It can. NIDDK lists low testosterone as one cause of ED. Cleveland Clinic says providers consider a level under 300 ng/dL low in adults, confirmed by blood tests. A supplement cannot confirm it.
Is an erection lasting four hours dangerous?
Yes. Mayo Clinic says an erection lasting more than four hours needs emergency care. Untreated priapism can damage tissue and lead to ED. Go to the emergency room or call 911 right away.
Can I take HoneyBoost with an ED prescription?
Ask your doctor or pharmacist first. The label says not to take it with other medications. L-arginine can lower blood pressure, and nitrate medicine adds risk. Never stop a prescribed medicine because of a supplement.
Who wrote this09
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the order page and linked NIH, FDA, FTC, Mayo Clinic and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is the information site for a USA Authorized HoneyBoost Retailer. It is not the manufacturer or the distributor named on the label. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
Keep reading
More about HoneyBoost
USA Authorized HoneyBoost Retailer
Ready to try HoneyBoost?
Check your medicines with your doctor or pharmacist first, then pick a pack. Six bottles cost the least per bottle; shipping is shown at checkout; every pack carries the 60-day money-back guarantee (confirm the live policy at checkout).
- Checkout on the sales site
- 60-day money-back guarantee
- Shipping shown at checkout
