Research suggests that L-citrulline may support erectile function and sexual health primarily through its role as a precursor to L-arginine, which the body uses to produce nitric oxide — a molecule essential for the vascular dilation that enables penile erections. The available evidence comes from narrative reviews rather than direct randomized controlled trials on L-citrulline and sexual function specifically, with the supporting literature largely drawing on its established role in nitric oxide metabolism and the well-documented connection between vascular health and erectile function. One review also identified L-citrulline as a candidate worth investigating for sexual performance anxiety, though the authors noted that controlled clinical evidence for this application is currently lacking. Overall, the research directionally supports a plausible mechanism for L-citrulline's relevance to sexual health, but the evidence base consists primarily of reviews and mechanistic reasoning rather than robust clinical trials, meaning conclusions should be interpreted with appropriate caution.
Citations from PubMed and preprint sources. Match score (0-100) reflects automated search ranking, not clinical appraisal.
| Title | Type | Year | Direction | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant-Based Diet and Erectile Dysfunction: A Narrative Review. | Review | 2025 | Supports | 88 |
| Dietary supplements for improving nitric-oxide synthesis. | Review | 2022 | Supports | 80 |
| Sexual Performance Anxiety. | Review | 2020 | Supports | 62 |