Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common problem. Somewhere between 2 and 40 percent of men ages 40 to 69 experience it. Experts predict that 322 million men around the world will have ED by 2025.
Folic acid is a B vitamin that your body uses for lots of important processes. It acts as a helper molecule for an enzyme called 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR).
Can folic acid help with ED? Some recent research suggests that it might. The connection comes down to a substance called homocysteine. Some scientists think that homocysteine and folic acid levels have an effect on erectile function.
This article takes a look at what we know about the relationship between folic acid and ED. We’ll explore the role of homocysteine, how folic acid impacts homocysteine levels, what the research says, and whether folic acid is a potential treatment for ED.