Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a problem that plagues an estimated 150 million men across the world, up to a third of whom come from the United States (via StatPearls). It’s no wonder that so many are seeking a cure for ED, or that unproven claims that a product or practice can help remedy it easily gain traction.
Enter the notion that rubbing a bit of Vicks VapoRub down there — yes, the same soothing ointment that people rely on for quick relief from muscle pain or a cold — supposedly helps keep things, er, up and going. Whoever came up with this may have gotten the idea from the cooling sensation that comes from the topical application of the mentholated product. Per data from the National Library of Medicine, Vicks VapoRub is approximately 4.8% camphor, 2.6% menthol, and 1.2% eucalyptus oil.
Interestingly, a 2017 study in Microvascular Research suggests that applying menthol topically may facilitate improved blood flow by relaxing (and thus, widening) the blood vessels (vasodilation). Medical professionals may prescribe a vasodilator (the most typical example being alprostadil) as treatment for ED. However, it’s important to note that the 2017 research focused on how topical methol affects the skin’s blood vessels, not the blood vessels that directly have to do with getting and maintaining an erection.
So, can Vicks VapoRub help with erectile dysfunction or not?
Make no mistake: There are no reliable, peer-reviewed research efforts or trials that provide concrete support to this spicy myth. While authors of a 2021 study in Revista Gestão Inovação e Tecnologias described the use of menthol in treating ED as “underexplored” and deemed it to be “an opportunity for research and technological development,” Vicks VapoRub was created and formulated specifically for external use, and camphor in particular can be toxic if it enters the body. In other words, you shouldn’t be slathering it on any sensitive areas of the body (especially orifices).
In fact, using Vicks VapoRub improperly or outside of its intended use comes with some pretty unpleasant consequences. Applying it to your penis as a potential ED treatment can seriously irritate or infect it due to the product’s effectiveness as a vasodilator. As mentioned in the 2017 research, externally applied menthol can improve blood flow under the skin’s surface; thus, when the blood vessels within the skin on the genitals expand, the resulting sensation can feel like a seriously uncomfortable burn. Worse, since that area of the body easily becomes moist, bacteria — the same kind that might find its way there when you apply Vicks with your hands — can easily enter cracks in the skin, grow, and cause infections.
Can Vick’s VapoRub help with a man’s sex life at all?
Some have suggested that, similar to the squeeze technique, Vicks VapoRub is a potential solution for premature ejaculation (PE) or loss of sexual stamina. Don’t bother trying, though, as there is no scientific proof that this actually works. You’ll likely just end up with a medical emergency down there.
With that said, Vicks VapoRub isn’t entirely useless for men who want to spice up their sex lives. For starters, if you’re feeling under the weather, it may help you breathe easier, literally. A 2017 study in the Open Journal of Respiratory Diseases found that, based on self-reported accounts of subjects with a cold, using the product helped them sleep better than they would have with an untreated cold. Vicks VapoRub can also help soothe your muscles, ensuring that you’re in top shape before you engage in sexual activity. Per a 2023 review in Cureus, there’s potential for products with menthol and camphor to provide effective muscle, knee, and neuropathic relief, though there’s not enough conclusive evidence yet. It may even help with headaches, based on the findings of a 2015 review in Frontiers in Neurology that looked at mentholated gels and ointments (though the menthol content in said products far exceeded that of Vicks VapoRub’s).
Ultimately, if you’re experiencing ED or other problems related to your sex performance, it’s best to talk to a medical professional.