Does vasoline help to stop ed
Executive summary
Vaseline (petroleum jelly) does not treat or “stop” erectile dysfunction (ED); it has no physiological effect on the vascular and neural mechanisms that produce erections and can cause harm when misused — particularly when injected into penile tissue, which has been repeatedly linked to complications including new-onset ED [1][2][3]. Topical application can relieve skin dryness or irritation but is not a cure for ED and is not a substitute for evidence-based treatments such as phosphodiesterase inhibitors or other medically supervised therapies [4][5].
1. Vaseline’s properties and why they don’t address ED physiology
Petroleum jelly is an occlusive moisturizer that protects and lubricates skin but it has no pharmacologic action on blood flow, nerves, hormones, or psychological contributors to erections — the systems whose dysfunctions cause ED — and therefore cannot reverse or “stop” erectile dysfunction [4][5]. Consumer health reporting and specialty pages make the clear distinction that Vaseline lacks the properties required to treat ED and should not be considered a substitute for approved therapies like Viagra (sildenafil) or other clinician-guided strategies [1][6].
2. Topical use: benign for skin, irrelevant for erectile function
Used appropriately on external skin, Vaseline can relieve dryness, prevent chafing, and soothe irritation; some clinicians note it’s okay for external penile skin care in moderation, though it’s not a medical treatment for sexual performance problems [4][7]. Sources that discuss safe topical use emphasize that persistent sexual or penile symptoms require professional assessment, because lubrication or moisturization does nothing to treat underlying vascular, neurologic, hormonal, or psychological causes of ED [4][5].
3. Injection or inoculation: documented harm and new sexual dysfunction
A much different and dangerous practice is injecting petroleum jelly into the penis for augmentation; medical literature and case series document granulomatous reactions, infections, scarring, ulceration and, notably, the development of erectile dysfunction after such injections — one prison-based survey found de novo ED in about 21.4% of inmates who injected Vaseline [8][2][3]. Case series and surgical reports describe sclerosing lipogranuloma and other severe complications that often require surgical excision and reconstruction; early detection and removal improve outcomes but the procedure itself and chronic inflammation can still affect function [9][10].
4. Conflicting or fringe claims and their motives
Some lay websites or anecdotal posts suggest Vaseline for masturbation or sexual comfort and one online Q&A thread quoted physicians saying topical use is not harmful; that advice is limited to skin care and doesn’t imply any benefit for erectile performance [11]. Commercial supplement or fringe sites sometimes frame Vaseline myths alongside product pitches for “natural” ED cures; these sources lack clinical evidence and may have a commercial agenda, so their dismissals or endorsements should be weighed against peer-reviewed medical literature [12].
5. What to do instead: evidence-based approaches
Clinical guidelines and mainstream medical resources advise addressing ED by identifying physiological and psychological causes and using validated treatments such as PDE5 inhibitors, vacuum erection devices, counseling for psychogenic causes, lifestyle changes, and referral to urology when indicated [1][5]. If someone has attempted penile injections or has local complications after applying or injecting foreign substances, urologic evaluation is necessary — several surgical series demonstrate that timely surgical management of petroleum-jelly complications improves cosmetic and functional outcomes [9][10].
6. Bottom line for readers and clinicians
Vaseline will not “stop” or cure erectile dysfunction; topical use can address superficial skin issues but offers no therapeutic effect on erection mechanisms, while injection or subcutaneous use for augmentation carries documented risks including infection, granuloma, deformity and new-onset ED [4][2][9]. Medical consultation is the appropriate, evidence-based path for diagnosing and treating ED — ignoring that can lead to permanent harm when nonmedical methods are attempted [1][5].