Herbal Supplement Added to Erectile Dysfunction Medication: What the Study Showed

If you are a man with type 2 diabetes and notice erection problems, you are not alone. This is a common complication, and standard medications like tadalafil do not help everyone and are not always sufficient. Scientists decided to test whether a Chinese herbal formula called Hongjing Qiwai would add anything to standard treatment. The results are encouraging, but let's examine them carefully.

What Was Actually Tested

The study involved 76 men with type 2 diabetes and erectile dysfunction. They were divided into two groups: one received the herbal formula plus tadalafil at a low dose (5 mg), the other received a placebo plus the same tadalafil. Treatment lasted 6 weeks, followed by another 4 weeks of observation. Neither the doctor nor the patient knew who was taking what—this was a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, which is a fairly rigorous design. But the size was small: 71 men completed the study.

Results at Week Six

Erection was assessed using the international five-item questionnaire (IIEF-5). In the herbal formula group, the average score improved by 5.5 points, compared to 3.3 points in the control group. The difference is statistically significant but not huge. On the erection hardness scale, the increase was also greater: almost 1 point versus 0.5. About 72% of men in the supplement group reported successful intercourse, compared to 46% in the control group. The difference is noticeable, but even in the control group, nearly half were satisfied.

And After Discontinuation?

Four weeks after the end of treatment, the improvement in the herbal formula group persisted. This is an interesting point: usually the effect of pills wears off when you stop taking them. However, the authors note that there are no data on long-term effects, and the observation period was short. No serious side effects were recorded, and laboratory parameters remained normal.

Should You Rush to Get the Herbal Formula?

Here it is important not to hurry. First, the study is small, and its results need confirmation in larger groups. Second, the composition and quality of the formula may vary among different manufacturers. Third, the study had a sponsor—likely the supplement manufacturer, although this is not stated in the abstract. Fourth, tadalafil at a dose of 5 mg is a low dose, and it is unknown how the supplement would behave with higher doses or in people without diabetes.

What to Do Tomorrow

If you have diabetes and erection problems, first discuss basic treatment with your doctor: blood sugar control, blood pressure, physical activity. Tadalafil is a proven drug, and its effect is established. As for herbal supplements, their use should be discussed with a doctor, especially if you are already taking other medications. Do not abandon prescribed therapy for an experimental formula. And remember: even in this study, nearly half of the men on placebo had improved erections—sometimes the very fact of paying attention to the problem and regular pill-taking has an effect.