Does baking soda under your tongue help with erectile dysfunction? This question reflects growing interest in home remedies for a common condition affecting many UK men. Erectile dysfunction (ED)—the persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection—often signals underlying health issues requiring medical attention. Whilst numerous unverified claims circulate online, it is essential to distinguish evidence-based treatments from unproven interventions. This article examines the scientific evidence surrounding baking soda for ED, explains why such beliefs persist, and outlines safe, effective treatments available through the NHS.

What Is Erectile Dysfunction and How Is It Treated?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity. It is a common condition in the UK, with prevalence increasing with age. ED is not simply a natural consequence of ageing but often signals underlying health conditions that warrant medical attention.

The condition arises from complex interactions between vascular, neurological, hormonal, and psychological factors. Common physical causes include:

• Cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus

• Hypertension and hyperlipidaemia

• Obesity and metabolic syndrome

• Neurological disorders (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease)

• Hormonal imbalances, particularly low testosterone

• Medications (antihypertensives, antidepressants, antipsychotics, 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors)

• Pelvic or prostate surgery and Peyronie's disease

Psychological factors such as anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and performance anxiety can also contribute significantly to ED, either independently or alongside physical causes.

Evidence-based treatments available through the NHS include phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors such as sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and avanafil, which enhance erectile function by increasing blood flow to the penis. Other options include vacuum erection devices, intracavernosal injections (e.g., alprostadil), intraurethral alprostadil, testosterone replacement therapy (when hypogonadism is confirmed), and psychological interventions including cognitive behavioural therapy and psychosexual counselling. Lifestyle modifications—including smoking cessation, weight reduction, increased physical activity, and moderation of alcohol intake—form essential components of management. NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS) emphasise treating underlying cardiovascular risk factors and addressing modifiable lifestyle factors as first-line approaches alongside pharmacological interventions when appropriate.

Does Baking Soda Under Your Tongue Help With Erectile Dysfunction?

There is no credible scientific evidence that placing baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) under the tongue improves erectile function. This practice is not recognised by any reputable medical organisation, including NICE, the MHRA, or the British Society for Sexual Medicine (BSSM), and does not appear in evidence-based treatment guidelines for ED.

Sodium bicarbonate is a chemical compound commonly used as a raising agent in baking and as an antacid to neutralise stomach acid when swallowed. There is no evidence that sodium bicarbonate is meaningfully absorbed when placed under the tongue, and even if absorbed systemically, it does not produce physiological changes relevant to erectile function. When taken orally in antacid doses, sodium bicarbonate temporarily increases blood pH (alkalinity), but this effect is tightly regulated by the body's buffering systems and has no therapeutic role in ED.

Potential risks of using baking soda inappropriately include:

• Metabolic alkalosis (excessive blood alkalinity) with repeated or large doses

• Electrolyte imbalances, particularly sodium overload

• Gastrointestinal disturbances including nausea and abdominal discomfort

• Interactions with medications when swallowed, particularly those affected by altered gastric pH

• Exacerbation of hypertension or heart failure due to high sodium content

• Delay in seeking appropriate medical evaluation and treatment

Men experiencing erectile difficulties should consult their GP rather than experimenting with unproven home remedies. ED often indicates underlying cardiovascular disease, and appropriate medical assessment can identify treatable conditions whilst providing access to safe, effective, evidence-based therapies. Self-treatment with substances like baking soda may mask symptoms of serious health conditions requiring prompt medical attention.

Why Do People Believe Baking Soda May Help Erectile Dysfunction?

The belief that baking soda might improve erectile function likely stems from several misconceptions and the proliferation of unverified health claims on social media and alternative health websites. Understanding why such beliefs persist helps contextualise the importance of evidence-based medicine.

One theory circulating online suggests that alkalising the body through baking soda consumption might improve circulation and erectile function. This reflects a broader pseudoscientific concept that many diseases result from excessive bodily 'acidity' requiring alkaline interventions. However, the human body maintains blood pH within a narrow range (7.35–7.45) through sophisticated buffering systems involving the lungs and kidneys. Dietary interventions cannot meaningfully alter this tightly controlled physiological parameter, and there is no scientific basis for linking body pH to erectile function.

Another possible explanation relates to baking soda's legitimate medical uses. Sodium bicarbonate is occasionally prescribed for specific conditions including metabolic acidosis and as an antacid for indigestion. This legitimate pharmaceutical application may have been misinterpreted or extrapolated inappropriately to suggest broader health benefits, including for sexual function.

The spread of such misinformation is facilitated by:

• Anecdotal testimonials lacking scientific rigour

• Confirmation bias and placebo effects

• Commercial interests promoting 'natural' alternatives to prescription medications

• Embarrassment surrounding ED, leading men to seek private solutions

• Misunderstanding of physiological mechanisms

The appeal of simple, inexpensive home remedies is understandable, particularly for conditions carrying social stigma. However, ED is a medical condition requiring proper diagnosis and evidence-based treatment. Relying on unproven interventions delays appropriate care and may allow underlying health conditions to progress untreated.

Evidence-Based Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction in the UK

NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS) recommend a structured approach to ED management, beginning with lifestyle modification and progressing to pharmacological and mechanical interventions as appropriate. Treatment should be individualised based on underlying causes, patient preferences, contraindications, and treatment response.

First-line pharmacological treatment involves PDE5 inhibitors, which work by inhibiting the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5, thereby increasing cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels in penile smooth muscle. This promotes vasodilation and increased blood flow, facilitating erection in response to sexual stimulation. Sildenafil (Viagra) typically acts within 30–60 minutes with effects lasting 4–6 hours. Tadalafil (Cialis) offers a longer duration of action (up to 36 hours) and can be taken daily at lower doses. Vardenafil and avanafil are alternative PDE5 inhibitors with similar efficacy profiles.

Important safety information for PDE5 inhibitors:

• Contraindicated in men taking nitrates (including glyceryl trinitrate and recreational 'poppers') due to risk of severe, potentially life-threatening hypotension

• Contraindicated with riociguat (a guanylate cyclase stimulator)

• Caution required with alpha-blockers; dose adjustment and timing may be needed

• Cardiovascular assessment may be appropriate before treatment in men with significant cardiovascular risk factors

• Common side effects include headache, facial flushing, dyspepsia, and nasal congestion

• Rare but serious adverse events include priapism (painful erection lasting more than 4 hours—seek emergency care immediately), sudden vision loss, and sudden hearing loss

If you experience any suspected side effects, report them via the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk.

Second-line treatments include vacuum erection devices (mechanical pumps creating negative pressure to draw blood into the penis), intracavernosal injections of alprostadil or combination agents such as aviptadil with phentolamine (Invicorp), and intraurethral alprostadil pellets. These options suit men who cannot use or do not respond to PDE5 inhibitors.

Psychological interventions are particularly valuable when anxiety, depression, or relationship factors contribute to ED. Cognitive behavioural therapy and psychosexual counselling, often involving partners, address psychological barriers to sexual function.

Testosterone replacement therapy is indicated only when hypogonadism is confirmed through blood tests showing consistently low morning testosterone levels (taken between 09:00 and 11:00) alongside appropriate symptoms. Lifestyle modifications—including regular aerobic exercise, weight loss in overweight men, smoking cessation, and limiting alcohol—improve erectile function and overall cardiovascular health. Addressing underlying conditions such as diabetes and hypertension optimises treatment outcomes.

When to See Your GP About Erectile Dysfunction

Men should consult their GP if they experience persistent or recurrent difficulty achieving or maintaining erections sufficient for sexual activity. Early medical consultation is important because:

• ED may indicate underlying cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or other treatable conditions

• Effective, evidence-based treatments are available through the NHS

• Psychological factors can be addressed through appropriate referral

• Delayed presentation may allow underlying conditions to progress

• Self-treatment with unproven remedies carries risks and delays appropriate care

You should seek prompt medical attention if ED:

• Develops suddenly rather than gradually

• Occurs alongside chest pain, breathlessness, or other cardiovascular symptoms

• Is accompanied by reduced libido, fatigue, or mood changes (suggesting possible hormonal issues)

• Follows starting a new medication

• Causes significant distress or relationship difficulties

• Persists for more than a few weeks

Seek emergency care (call 999 or attend A&E) if you experience:

• Chest pain or severe breathlessness during or after sexual activity

• A painful erection lasting more than 4 hours (priapism)

Your GP will take a comprehensive medical and sexual history, including questions about cardiovascular risk factors, medications, psychological wellbeing, and relationship factors. Physical examination typically includes blood pressure measurement, cardiovascular assessment, examination of genitalia, and assessment of secondary sexual characteristics. Blood tests may include fasting glucose or HbA1c (diabetes screening), lipid profile, and morning testosterone levels (taken between 09:00 and 11:00, repeated if low). Additional tests such as thyroid function, prolactin, and renal or liver function may be requested if clinically indicated.

Based on assessment findings, your GP may initiate treatment, provide lifestyle advice, or refer to specialist services including urology, endocrinology, or psychosexual medicine. Many men feel embarrassed discussing ED, but GPs routinely manage this common condition and approach consultations professionally and confidentially. Remember that ED is a medical condition, not a personal failing, and effective help is available. Do not rely on unproven remedies like baking soda when evidence-based treatments can safely and effectively restore sexual function whilst identifying and treating underlying health conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions