7 Natural Vitamins And Supplements For Premature Ejaculation

Premature Ejaculation (PE) is a common form of male sexual dysfunction, and can happen to anyone. It is a fully treatable condition and there are many forms of treatment that can be used to overcome the issue. Certain vitamins and supplements could be helpful in dealing with PE as they contribute to our sexual function and even boost our mental health in terms of stress and anxiety, all of which contribute to PE.

Understanding Premature Ejaculation

Premature Ejaculation (PE) is a condition where a man ejaculates sooner than desired before or shortly after commencing sexual activity or sexual penetration. Ejaculation refers to the ejection of semen from the body. This is controlled by the central nervous system, where sexual stimulation sends signals to the spinal cord and brain. When a certain level of excitement is reached, signals are sent from the brain to the reproductive organs, causing ejaculation.  

PE is one of the most common forms of male sexual dysfunction, with research suggesting that 30% to 40% of men experience PE at some point in their life.

There are two forms of PE, including lifelong (occurs all or nearly all of the time beginning from the first sexual encounter) or acquired (develops after previous sexual encounters with ejaculatory issues). Lifelong PE is often the result of psychological factors, such as having a distressing sexual experience. Acquired PE can be a result of both psychological and physical factors, which include alcohol consumption and prostatitis.

Symptoms of Premature Ejaculation

PE may not be a cause of concern if it happens infrequently. However, you might be diagnosed with the condition if you always or often ejaculate within one minute of penetration and/or you often feel distressed and frustrated as it’s affecting your sex life and relationships.

If you’re worried that you may have PE, it’s best to see a doctor who will evaluate the issue for you and get to the root of the problem. Fortunately, PE is a treatable condition.

Causes of Premature Ejaculation

PE may occur due to both psychological and physical factors. At the same time, conditions such as Erectile Dysfunction (ED) can increase the risk of PE occurring. Fear of losing an erection after facing issues maintaining an erection may cause a person to hurry through sex, resulting in early ejaculation.

Psychological causes of PE include:

• Depression or anxiety
• Expecting failure
• Traumatic sexual experiences from an earlier age
• Stress
• Issues within the relationship

Physical causes of PE include:

• Abnormal hormone levels
• Abnormal levels of neurotransmitters (chemicals in the brain)
• Inflammation and infection of the prostate or urethra
• Inherited traits

How Do Vitamins And Supplements Help With Premature Ejaculation?

Vitamins and supplements help with numerous bodily functions and can have a range of benefits for your overall health.

While there is no conclusive evidence that vitamins and minerals can treat PE, there has been some research demonstrating that consuming an insufficient amount of these vitamins and minerals could contribute to the development of PE.

The link between specific vitamin and mineral deficiencies and PE highlight the importance of ensuring we consistently and conscientiously maintain our intake of these nutrients, be it through our diet or oral supplements.

1. Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in the production of red blood cells and DNA, as well as nerve function. Your body can’t actually make the vitamin on its own, so you need to attain it either from your diet or supplements.

Those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet might be more prone to Vitamin B12 deficiency, which could lead to anemia, fatigue, muscle weakness, or mood disturbances. Fortunately, the vitamin also comes in the form of oral supplements.

Another potential side effect of Vitamin B12 deficiency could be the development of PE.

A 2017 study investigated the relationship between Vitamin B12 levels and PE among 109 men, and found that patients with PE indeed had lower vitamin B12 levels compared to healthy patients.

Furthermore, a 2019 study with 155 male patients found that B12 deficiency resulted in shorter intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) times and higher Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) scores among patients.

Including food sources rich in Vitamin B12 in your diet could be helpful in helping to prevent PE, or even improving your condition if you are currently experiencing PE.

Vitamin B12 is mainly found in animal products, especially food sources such as poultry, meat, fish and dairy products. If you’re on a vegan diet, not to worry - fortified foods such as breakfast cereals, bread, yoghurt, and plant-based milk alternatives can also be sources of vitamin B12.

2. Vitamin C

Most of us might already know about the benefits of Vitamin C, which we often get either by drinking orange juice or consuming vitamin C tablets. It’s a water-soluble vitamin that must be taken daily through either food or supplements.

It helps to control infections, heal wounds, and is a powerful antioxidant. It is also needed to produce collagen, which is an essential component of connective tissue throughout the body.

Getting a sufficient amount of Vitamin C may help prevent damage of veins in the penis from free radicals (unstable atoms that cause damage to cells). These free radicals might play a role in heart disease and cancer, and could even contribute to PE.

As an antioxidant, Vitamin C can help protect against these damaging free radicals. Fruits and vegetables are the best sources of this vitamin. This includes citrus fruits (such as kiwi, lemon, grapefruit, and of course, oranges), bell peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, and white potatoes.

Read More: The Best Foods to Help Treat Premature Ejaculation

3. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a vitamin that is fat-soluble, which means it dissolves in fats and is stored in the liver and fatty tissue.

Naturally-occurring Vitamin E exists in 8 chemical forms, of which the only form that is recognized to meet human dietary requirements is alpha-tocopherol. It is also an antioxidant that protects cells from the effects of free radicals, meaning that it could be helpful in preventing PE.

A 1979 study with 35 individuals found that Vitamin E administration did not result in significant differences in human sexuality, but it did result in increased energy and wellbeing amongst the study participants. One participant said that the increase in his overall energy level also resulted in an increase in his sexual energy.

Further studies on a larger scale need to be conducted in order to fully evaluate the relationship between Vitamin E and PE, but the benefits of the vitamin and its effects on one’s overall health and vitality could play a role in improving PE.

Vitamin E is found in foods such as vegetable oils, margarine, peanuts, almonds, meats, dairy, leafy greens and fortified cereals. Again, the vitamin is also available as oral supplements.

4. Folic Acid

Folic acid is the man-made version of the vitamin folate (otherwise known as vitamin B9). Folate helps the body make healthy red blood cells and is important for the synthesis and repair of DNA and other genetic material.

With insufficient folate in the body, a person can develop folate-deficiency anemia, where there are insufficient red blood cells to provide oxygen to the body. Interestingly, the importance of folate spurred the FDA to require manufacturers to add folic acid to grain products such as rice, cereals, and bread in the US to boost folic acid intake among consumers.

According to research, folic acid is said to play a significant role in causing PE and folic acid administration can help prevent PE from occurring. Folate can also help to boost serotonin in patients, since folate deficiency is associated with decreased serotonin activity.

A 2014 study investigated the relationship between serum folic acid levels in patients with erectile dysfunction and/or PE, and found that there were strong associations between serum folic acid concentrations and sexual dysfunction. However, a 2019 study on the relationship between acquired PE and folic acid found that folic acid had no significant impact on PE.

More studies on a larger scale are needed to fully explore the relationship between the two, and current research remains overall inconclusive on the exact effectiveness of folic acid on PE.

5. Biotin

Biotin (also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H) is an essential nutrient that breaks down substances like fats, carbohydrates, and protein, and turns them into energy. Biotin is said to promote healthy hair, better skin, and stronger nails. The symptoms of biotin deficiency include hair loss or scaly red rash on the skin.

Overall, biotin does seem to contribute to a normal sexual function, which could be helpful for patients with PE.

A study on the efficacy of a phytotherapeutic combination of Rhodiola rosea, folic acid, biotin and zinc (EndEP®) on patients with lifelong PE found that the treatment significantly improved the ejaculatory control and quality of sexual life of these patients.

Biotin can be found in foods such as egg yolk, organ meats such as liver, nuts, oats, white mushrooms, spinach, cauliflower and bananas.

If you’re looking to take advantage of the benefits of Biotin in improving your sexual function and boosting hair growth, you might want to consider Grow, a specially formulated supplement carried by Noah  that strengthens hair, promotes hair growth, and stimulates keratin production in hair. Besides Biotin, it also includes nutrients such as Vitamin A, Vitamin E, folic acid, Vitamin C, and more.

Biotin can also be found in foods such as egg yolk, organ meats such as liver, nuts, oats, white mushrooms, spinach, cauliflower and bananas.

6. Zinc

Zinc is a trace mineral that is found throughout the body. It is vital for many aspects of human health, including immunity, metabolism, reproduction, and more. Zinc can also help maintain your vision and keep your skin and heart healthy. It’s found in a wide array of foods including red meat, poultry, as well as fish.

In a 2000 study, zinc was found to contribute to an increase in testosterone amongst men who started on a zinc supplementation regime.

According to research, Zinc is also said to have a key role in prostate health and ejaculatory reflex health, helping with sperm release and motility.

Though there is limited specific research on the efficacy of Zinc with relation to PE, its effects on testosterone and prostate health could indeed play a role in helping to improve or prevent PE from occurring.

Noah’s Vigour supplement is an exclusive supplement that uses Zinc as one of its main ingredients. Vigour works to help manage stress and anxiety, improve muscle strength and endurance, and enhance energy while boosting testosterone levels and sperm count and motility.

7. Magnesium

Magnesium is another important mineral in the body that is required for more than 300 enzymatic reactions that work to help with protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and blood pressure regulation.

Magnesium deficiency has been linked to numerous problems, including depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, muscle weakness, cramps and tremors, jerking, confusion, and disorientation. This deficiency could also contribute to the development of PE.

A 2001 study on 39 men with premature ejaculation found that men with significant PE had significantly lower seminal magnesium levels. The study observed that magnesium may be involved in semen transport, therefore affecting PE. According to a 2003 clinical study, changes in seminal plasma magnesium levels are possibly related to the magnesium content of your diet.

Magnesium supplementation may indeed be beneficial in improving one’s sexual function, but it also has numerous benefits related to heart health and protection against diseases.

Together with Zinc, Magnesium is one of the key ingredients in Noah’s Vigour supplement which has clinically proven results in increasing testosterone levels, sperm count, sperm motility and sperm volume. At the same time, you’ll experience benefits such as better sleep, decreased stress and anxiety, improved muscle strength and endurance, and increased vitality.

Top food sources of magnesium include nuts, seeds, whole grains, and leafy vegetables.

The Takeaway

Overall, we’ve summarized the best vitamins and supplements known for PE. These nutrients do have numerous benefits on our overall health, which also means that they can play an important role in improving our mental and sexual functions. However, research on the exact effectiveness of these supplements on the treatment of PE are limited.

These vitamins and supplements should be taken alongside approved treatment methods for PE for maximum effectiveness, and not used alone to treat your PE. If you’re experiencing PE, it would be best for you to seek professional advice from a doctor.

A doctor will evaluate your issue and diagnose you before sharing how you can best go about improving your condition. Since PE has many possible causes, its treatment method will depend on a precise and well-rounded evaluation in order to target the issue precisely.

With Noah, a digital health clinic for men in Singapore, you can speak to a doctor and get the PE treatment that you need from the comfort of home. Doctors on our platform are best equipped to help you determine the best course of action and can prescribe you with the right medication should you need it.