For centuries, people have turned to aphrodisiacs in an attempt to boost their libido and enhance their romantic appeal.
Spanish fly is one such aphrodisiac. “Spanish fly” refers to all sorts of tonics, potions and other “love supplements” made from one type of insect: blister beetles. There have been a variety of formulations of Spanish fly drug over the years. We’ve heard of a Spanish fly pill, a Spanish fly liquid, Spanish fly for men and Spanish fly for women.
Spanish’s fly’s reputation isn’t great. This buggy “treatment” is linked to a long list of potential side effects — some of which can be deadly. Meanwhile, there’s only limited scientific evidence that it has much of an effect on bedroom performance.
Below, we’ve shared what Spanish fly is, the risks of using Spanish fly and its potential intimate effects, and whether Spanish fly is worth using or should be avoided. We’ve also shared a few alternatives you may want to consider if you’re aiming to boost your desire and performance.
What Is Spanish Fly?
Spanish fly technically refers to two things: a type of green blister beetle (Lytta vesicatoria from the family Meloidae) and a toxic blistering agent the beetles produce called cantharidin.
Historically, the green blister beetle was used to treat warts and a skin condition called molluscum.
Cantharidin — the product isolated from these beetles for “medicinal” formulation — has long been used as a natural aphrodisiac. It was allegedly used by ancient Egyptians and Romans as a bedroom stimulant, a method for improving intimate relationships and as a tool for committing bedroom blackmail. In more modern times, it was mentioned in the 1960s as part of a now even-more-unpleasant Bill Cosby joke.
Today, supplements marketed as “Spanish fly” may contain little or no cantharidin. Instead, they might contain various herbal ingredients that manufacturers claim can boost bedroom performance, stamina and attractiveness.
Does Spanish Fly Work?
When it comes to non-prescription aphrodisiacs and male enhancement pills, most are big on promises but small on actual results. The evidence that Spanish fly works is, likewise, scant.
Put simply, authentic Spanish fly isn’t something you or your partner want to consume, no matter what potential you’ve read about. It’s a hazardous substance and cases of poisoning can happen in rare circumstances — which could have serious consequences.
Some research shows that its core ingredient, cantharidin, increases blood flow to the urogenital tract. But the fact is that most reliable research quickly dismisses cantharidin as dangerous for human consumption.
Risks and Side Effects of Spanish Fly
When it comes to products containing cantharidin (and not some other random ingredients), there are serious safety risks you should be aware of if you’re considering taking these types of herbal supplements.
The first very real risk, it turns out, is dying.
Cantharidin is listed by the National Center for Biotechnology Information as not only an irritant but also an acutely toxic substance. It’s even featured in the Hazardous Substances Data Bank.
People have died from using products containing cantharidin. Two British women were killed by a man who gave them coconut ice laced with cantharidin, hoping it would lead to them having intercourse with him. And American people have been rushed to the emergency room after taking cantharidin in the hope of stimulating intimate activity.
Assuming you don’t die, side effects associated with cantharidin you might experience include:
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Blistering. Cantharidin is known to cause skin blisters. You may notice skin blisters, a burning sensation, itching and changes in pigmentation after you use products containing cantharidin.
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Blood in saliva, vomit or urine. Cantharidin is known to cause hematemesis (vomiting of blood) and gross hematuria (blood visible in urine). It can also cause dysuria (pain while urinating).
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Priapism. Cantharidin can cause priapism — a type of painful, long-lasting arousal that can damage your member when left untreated. Priapism is a serious medical emergency that requires urgent attention from a healthcare provider.
Cantharidin poisoning can also cause:
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Seizures
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Burning of the mouth
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Renal dysfunction
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Cardiac abnormalities
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Nausea and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
There’s one final risk of Spanish fly to consider: the mystery ingredient trap. Products labeled “Spanish fly” aren’t regulated by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) in the same way that prescription medications are, so there’s no real way to know what’s in them. The FDA maintains a long list of other bedroom performance booster supplements that have been found to contain unlabeled, potentially dangerous ingredients.
In other words, you can’t always be sure you’re getting the right amount of cantharidin — or what else you’re getting along with it — from non-prescription bedroom enhancement products. And regardless of whether you get any cantharidin, you could potentially die.
Better Options for Boosting Performance
Spanish fly — any fly of any nationality, really — isn’t where you want to look for ED help.
Natural “treatments” can be great — in theory. But most aren’t practical because we don’t know all of the facts or understand safe and effective dosages.
While Spanish fly is not proven to be safe or effective as an aphrodisiac, there are real options available for treating intimacy dysfunction and improving your performance in bed.
Some of these require a prescription, while others are available online and over the counter, including:
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ED medications
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PE medications
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Lifestyle changes
Let’s look at each group in more detail.
ED Medications
If you’re thinking about using Spanish fly for ED, we get where you’re coming from, even if your plan is bad.
After all, ED is pretty common — it’s estimated to affect approximately 30 million men in the U.S. alone.
But there are safer, scientifically proven options to consider. Currently, the FDA has approved four pills for treating ED:
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Sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra)
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Tadalafil (Cialis)
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Vardenafil (Levitra)
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Avanafil (Stendra)
These all belong to a class of medications referred to as PDE5 inhibitors. They work by increasing blood flow to your privates, making it easier to get and stay hard when you feel aroused.
The FDA has also approved an injectable medication, alprostadil, for ED, and it has authorized a topical gel for ED.
PE Medications
Like ED, PE is a common bedroom performance issue that can cause serious harm to your confidence and intimate pleasure.
PE is very treatable. If you’re prone to PE, you’ll get the best results by using medication to slow down climax. Your options include:
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Antidepressants. Some antidepressants, including sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) are used off-label to treat PE. Research shows that these medications help slow down climax and improve stamina for men with PE.
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ED medications. Off-label usage of ED medications, such as sildenafil (Viagra) can also be effective for PE.
Topical PE products. It’s also possible to treat PE topically. Products like Delay Spray for Men are designed to reduce sensitivity, allowing you to be intimate for longer before reaching climax.
Lifestyle Changes for Better Bedroom Function
While medication may provide the fastest effects, you’ll get the best results by combining it with a healthy lifestyle. Try the following habits and lifestyle changes to improve your physical health and bedroom function:
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Stay physically active. Regular exercise can have a hugely positive impact on your physical health, bedroom performance and arousal function. Try to get 150 minutes or more of moderate-intensity cardiovascular exercise per week, as well as a couple of strength workouts per week.
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Maintain a healthy body weight. Research has found that having overweight or obesity is linked to a higher risk of experiencing ED. Try to maintain a BMI either within or as close to the healthy range as possible.
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If you smoke, try to quit. Research shows that smoking is linked to an increased risk of developing bedroom performance issues, including ED. It’s also a key risk factor for other medical conditions, including potentially fatal ones, such as cancer and heart disease. If you smoke, try your hardest to quit.
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Live a healthy, balanced lifestyle. From sleep to diet, a variety of factors can affect your bedroom performance. Our guide to naturally protecting your arousal shares tactics you can use to live a life that prioritizes your bedroom health and function.
Why Spanish Fly Pills Aren’t Worth It
Spanish fly isn’t just ineffective as an aphrodisiac — it’s also dangerous. So keep Spanish fly and other herbal aphrodisiacs at arm’s length. There’s just way too much at stake.
Here’s our take on Spanish fly:
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By using it to increase your bedroom drive, you’re putting your health at risk.
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Don’t give it to other people in an effort to make them feel more attracted to you.
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Giving it to someone else without their permission is both unsafe and illegal.
If you need help with your bedroom performance, you can view a range of ED treatments online and connect with a licensed healthcare provider to discuss your needs.
This article originally appeared on Hims.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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The 7 Best Vitamins & Supplements for ED
If you’ve been googling “what is the best vitamin for ED” or “supplements for ED” and coming up short on answers, there’s a reason for it: the “natural male enhancement” pills that you find online and in gas stations are released by brands that make dubious claims about what their products can do, and often, those claims aren’t backed by a lot of research. In fact, many of them are dangerous.
That said, certain vitamins and supplements (not the stuff you see at the gas station) — like vitamins B3 and D, or supplements like L-arginine, to name a few — may offer some erectile function benefits that are backed up by some science.
So, whether you came here in search of vitamins for erectile strength or supplements for ED, we’re happy to share what research shows about vitamins that help with ED…maybe. We’re going to go through all the vitamins you should look for, and the foods in which you can find them
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You’re probably aware of ED treatments like Viagra, which work by increasing blood flow to your privates when you’re in the mood for love-making. But what about the options available without a prescription?
Well, if you’ve been looking at the “natural male enhancement” stuff on gas station shelves, we have some bad news. As we’ve discussed in our guide to herbal supplements for ED, most non-prescription products for treating ED are, to put it lightly, lacking in scientific evidence (unless they are something specifically approved or authorized by the FDA for ED, like vacuum devices or the topical gel, Eroxon).
That said, as we mentioned above, some research shows that deficiencies of certain vitamins might contribute to ED. If you’re deficient, adding these vitamins to your diet might improve your overall health, including your ability to get and stay so.
To put things in perspective, here’s the current wisdom:
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Numerous factors can play a role in ED, including your cardiovascular health, psychological well-being and your level of interest in love-making.
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Currently, the most effective oral treatments for ED are PDE5 inhibitor medications, such as sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra).
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Vitamins B3, B9, C and D have been linked with blood flow, ED or testosterone levels in scientific studies. However, there’s very limited research on the link between vitamins and ED, meaning our understanding of this potential link isn’t very strong right now.
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To get reliable relief from ED, it’s best to talk to a licensed ED healthcare provider online to learn how you can improve blood flow to your privates and strengthen your erections.
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Depending on your medical history, they may check your blood pressure, cholesterol and other tests that can screen for health conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and other things that are a risk factor for ED.
Okay, now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s talk vitamins.
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Vitamins are critical for the proper functioning of your body. They play vital roles in the development of your bones and organs. They also power essential biological processes that keep you alive, from your metabolism to the operation and function of your brain.
Because vitamins play such important roles in your health and survival, vitamin deficiencies can have serious negative effects on your well-being. What vitamins are good for erectile dysfunction, then, are the ones you don’t have enough of.
Some potential vitamins for ED include:
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Vitamin B3 (niacin)
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Vitamin B9 (folic acid)
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Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
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Vitamin D
Let’s look into each one to learn more.
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Some scientific research suggests that vitamin B3, or niacin, may be helpful for managing ED.
For example, a study in 2011 found that adult men with ED and dyslipidemia (abnormal amounts of lipids in the blood) experienced improvements in erectile function after taking niacin for 12 weeks.
Vitamin B3 is an important vitamin for metabolic function. It’s linked to a reduced risk of certain types of cardiovascular disease thanks to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects.
Niacin is widely available as a health supplement. It’s also found in a variety of foods, including:
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Red meat, poultry and fish
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Bran, yeast and whole-grain cereals
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Peanuts, legumes and seeds
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Eggs
(Related: The Best ED Pills for Men: Pros & Cons of ED Medication)
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Another vitamin that may be linked with ED is vitamin B9, or folic acid.
A study published in the Asian Journal of Andrology analyzed the folic acid levels of men with ED and found that men with ED typically had lower levels of folic acid than healthy, unaffected men.
Interestingly, low levels of vitamin B9 were also linked to PE — another common male performance issue.
A newer study from 2020 noted a more direct link between vitamin B9 and health. In this study, men with ED showed measurable improvements in erectile function after taking a vitamin B9 supplement on a daily basis for three months.
Vitamin B9 plays key roles in the synthesis of DNA and RNA — essential molecules for storing and reading genetic information. It’s also important for the production of healthy red blood cells.
You can purchase vitamin B9 as a health supplement, but it’s also found in a wide range of foods, like:
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Leafy green vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, asparagus and lettuce
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Meats, including liver
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Fish and other seafood
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Peanuts, sunflower seeds and beans
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Milk and other dairy products
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Eggs
Folic acid is also commonly added to many breads, cereals, pastas and other grain products in order to prevent nutritional deficiencies.
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Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins for our bodies. When it comes to erectile health, research suggests that it might play a role in certain biochemical pathways that allow you to get and stay hard during intimacy.
For example, a review published in the journal Fertility and Sterility noted that vitamin C is one of several vitamins and minerals that support the biochemical pathway that leads to the release of nitric oxide.
Nitric oxide, or NO, is generally viewed as the principal agent responsible for relaxing the tissues inside your privates and allowing blood to flow in and create arousal.
Beyond its potential role in your health, vitamin C plays a key role in the biosynthesis of several neurotransmitters, as well as important structural proteins — like collagen, for example.
It’s also essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, absorbing iron and promoting proper wound healing.
Good sources of vitamin C include:
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Citrus fruits, such as orange, grapefruit, lemon and lime
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Other fresh fruits, including kiwifruit, guava and papaya
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Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries
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Red peppers, green peppers, broccoli and other vegetables
Many fruit and vegetable juices also contain plenty of vitamin C. You can also find it in most multivitamin supplements.
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Although research into the effects of vitamin D on performance is limited, some studies have found that vitamin D deficiency is linked to ED.
A small study published in the International Journal of Impotence Research found that men with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency had lower levels of function than men with normal vitamin D levels.
However, it’s also worth noting that this study only investigated function and depression symptoms in young men with low vitamin D status.
A meta-analysis from 2020 also found that vitamin D deficiency may be associated with severe forms of ED.
According to a review published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, around 24 percent of people in the United States have low vitamin D levels. Low vitamin D levels are even more common in Canada and Europe.
Your skin produces vitamin D when it’s exposed to sunlight, and it doesn’t take much to maintain healthy levels. Most people will be able to produce enough vitamin D to stay healthy with natural sun exposure from going for a daily walk or running errands.
If you live in an area with limited sunlight or prefer not to spend too much time outdoors, you can also take in vitamin D from food or vitamin D supplementation.
Foods that contain vitamin D include:
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Fish, including salmon, trout, tuna, sardines and many fish oils
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Cheese, milk and other dairy products
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Red meat and poultry
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Soy, almond and oat milks
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Mushrooms
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Apples, bananas and other fruits
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Rice, lentils, sunflower seeds and almonds
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Broccoli, carrots and other vegetables
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Research on other supplements for ED is often inconsistent or not very strong. Some men might see an effect, many might not.
ED supplements that may produce improvements in function and health include:
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L-arginine. This amino acid plays a key role in the production of nitric oxide, which is a molecule that relaxes your blood vessels and promotes healthy blood flow.
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Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). This hormone is a precursor to testosterone, which is important for regulating your drive.
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Ginseng. This herbal supplement might produce improvements in function and satisfaction, but the quality of research is low.
Just like with vitamins, it’s important to keep in mind that supplements aren’t subject to clinical trials like medications. This means that there’s a lot that we don’t know about them, including the safety and effectiveness of using them as ED treatments.
(Related: What Foods Help You Get Hard: 8 Foods For Erectile Dysfunction)
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None of the “vitamins for erection health” listed above — or anything else you can find in a multivitamin — are proven, evidence-based treatments for ED.
Currently, among the most effective options for treating ED are FDA-approved medications called PDE5 inhibitors. These treatments work by dilating the arteries that supply your privates, allowing for better blood flow to your tissues.
Unlike vitamins and natural remedies, they’re subject to large-scale clinical trials before they go onto pharmacy shelves, meaning we know that they’re safe and effective for most men.
If you find it difficult to get or maintain an erection, consider one of the following medications:
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Sildenafil. The active ingredient in Viagra, sildenafil provides relief from ED for around four hours per dose.
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Tadalafil. The active ingredient in Cialis, tadalafil is a long-lasting medication that can provide relief from ED for up to 36 hours.
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Vardenafil. The active ingredient in Levitra, vardenafil provides relief from ED for four to five hours.
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Avanafil. Sold as Stendra, avanafil is a newer treatment that provides relief from ED for up to six hours, with a lower risk of side effects than other oral ED medications.
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Chewable ED medications. These fast-acting chewable mints include ingredients like sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil to help you get and stay hard during intimacy.
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Although research is limited, some studies have shown a link between ED and certain vitamin deficiencies.
If you’re deficient in vitamins B3 (niacin), B9, C or D, increasing your consumption might improve your overall health, and maybe your ED symptoms. However, there are several things you’ll want to keep in mind before turning to vitamins as a “proven” ED treatment:
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Vitamins like B3, B9, C and D are important for your overall health and health, and may help in the management of ED. More research is needed to determine whether natural supplements containing L-arginine, ginseng and others are as effective as supplement makers claim.
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It isn’t clear if these vitamins help with function if you don’t have a vitamin deficiency. In other words, if you’re healthy, taking extra vitamin C may not have any impact on your performance in the bedroom.
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More isn’t always better when it comes to vitamins. Certain vitamins are toxic when consumed in excess, meaning you shouldn’t exceed the recommended intake if you choose to use a vitamin supplement.
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Vitamins aren’t a replacement for FDA-approved ED medication, or for healthy, natural habits and lifestyle changes that can make maintaining an arousal easier.
This article originally appeared on Hims.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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Featured Image Credit: Iuliia Zavalishina / iStock.
