Saw palmetto has been used for decades to support men’s prostate and urinary health, especially as lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) begin to appear in midlife. But recently, a wave of misinformation has circulated online claiming that saw palmetto causes erectile dysfunction (ED) or negatively impacts men’s sex health. This has left many men confused about whether taking a high-quality saw palmetto extract is helpful or harmful, especially when sexual vitality and confidence are at stake.
In reality, the science tells a very different story. Saw palmetto sex health concerns are almost entirely rooted in misunderstanding how this botanical works, what the research actually shows, and the vast difference between high-quality extracts and cheaper, unverified saw palmetto powders. In this blog post, we’ll break down saw palmetto erectile dysfunction myths, clarify how this botanical interacts with male hormones, and explain why the form and quality of the extract matter more than anything else.
Where the Saw Palmetto Erectile Dysfunction Myths Came From
The belief that saw palmetto might cause ED mainly comes from two misconceptions:
Confusion with pharmaceutical 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (like finasteride).
Prescription medications can suppress this enzyme by up to 90%, which is why they are known for a higher rate of sexual side effects. Saw palmetto oil extracts work very differently, supporting prostate comfort through multiple pathways rather than aggressively blocking hormonal conversion.
Reading information about low-quality saw palmetto products that do not contain true active compounds.
Many supplements sold online are powdered berries, not standardized oil extracts. These products do not match the clinical strength dose of 320 mg of standardized lipidosterolic extract used in published clinical studies†[1], leading to inconsistent user experiences and misinformation.
What the Research Actually Says About Saw Palmetto and Sexual Function
When you examine the clinical evidence, the story is clear: high-quality saw palmetto oil does not cause erectile dysfunction. In fact, trials using validated extracts show either neutral or positive effects on sexual function.
No clinical evidence shows saw palmetto reduces sexual performance.
Across multiple trials of standardized saw palmetto oil, researchers monitored sexual function as a safety endpoint. None of these studies showed increased rates of erectile dysfunction compared to a placebo‡[1].
Supporting urinary comfort may improve overall sex health.
Men who experience nighttime urgency, frequency, or discomfort often report that these symptoms interfere with confidence and intimacy. When urinary flow improves, sexual wellbeing often follows simply because men feel more comfortable and less distracted.[1]
Hormone balance is not negatively affected by quality saw palmetto oil.
Lipidosterolic extracts, such as Flomentum® influence inflammatory and enzyme pathways gently and selectively, unlike pharmaceutical drugs. Their mechanism aligns more closely with the profile of the leading European saw palmetto herbal product recognized by the European Medicines Agency as safe and effective in over 20 published studies§ ||. Products proven comparable to the European reference extract support consistency in composition and enzyme-inhibition activity‡[2][3].
Not one single well-designed trial has shown that clinical-strength saw palmetto extract† causes erectile dysfunction.
Why Quality Matters Most in Saw Palmetto Sex Health Outcomes
Differences in men’s experiences with saw palmetto sex health can almost always be traced back to the type of extract being used.
Cheap powders vs. lipidosterolic oil extracts
Powdered berries contain minimal active fatty acids and sterols. These products do not reflect the extracts used in clinical research and are much more likely to lead to confusion or misinformation.
CO2-extracted oils match the composition used in clinical studies
Only high-quality oil extracts standardized to the clinical 320 mg dose†[1] reflect the results seen in human research. Products proven comparable to the leading European extract‡[2][3] uphold the safety and sexual side-effect profile seen in published studies—specifically that sexual side effects occur at placebo-like rates‡.
These differences explain why many men who switch from ineffective powders to verified CO2-extracted oil report more positive outcomes. Flomentum, for example, uses pure oil extract of saw palmetto berries. Each softgel contains 320 mg of this oil extract, which is the clinical strength shown to support improved urinary function in clinical studies.§
So, Does Saw Palmetto Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
No, according to the clinical evidence. Saw palmetto does not cause erectile dysfunction. Most cases of ED arise from factors unrelated to supplements, including blood flow, age, lifestyle, stress, alcohol, medications, and cardiovascular health. When men attribute ED to saw palmetto, it is usually because of: High-quality lipidosterolic extracts not only avoid negative sexual effects‡[1], but in many cases, they support prostate comfort§ ||, which may indirectly improve sex health and confidence.[1] Saw palmetto sex concerns largely stem from misinformation, confusion, and the widespread availability of low-quality powdered products. When men use a validated saw palmetto oil extract that matches the clinical research†[1]‡[2][3].ports prostate comfort without harming sexual vitality. [1] Winograd J, Lama J, Codelia-Anjum A, et al. Measuring the efficacy of Serenoa repens (USPlus) extract with mobile uroflowmetry. Can J Urol. 2024;31(6):12053-12059. (PDF) [2] Cartwright EJ, Dohnalek MH, Hill WS. Lipid Profile and 5α-Reductase Inhibition Activity of Proprietary Ultrahigh-Pressure Supercritical Carbon Dioxide and Hexane Saw Palmetto Extracts. Uro. 2023;3(1):27-39. [3] Trade coverage summarizing the above preclinical comparability findings (USPlus vs Permixon/HESr): Nutraceuticals World (Feb 16, 2023): https://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/breaking-news/preclinical-study-establishes-mechanism-of-action-of-novel-saw-palmetto-extract/ Nutraceutical Business Review (Feb 17, 2023): https://nutraceuticalbusinessreview.com/valensa-international-announces-newly-published-prostate-health-study-206894
In Closing
Understanding the truth between saw palmetto and erectile dysfunction empowers men to make decisions grounded in clinical research—decisions that support long-term prostate health, urinary comfort, and overall wellbeing§ ||.References
https://canjurol.com/html/free-articles/2024/31-06//CJU_V31I6_07_FREE_DrWinograd.pdf
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4397/3/1/5
