VigRX Plus Clinical Study Explained: Is VigRX Plus Clinically Proven?
Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. It does not change our opinion. This article is not medical advice; erectile problems can be an early sign of heart disease, so see a doctor if they are persistent.
“Clinically proven” is printed all over VigRX Plus marketing. But what does the VigRX Plus clinical study actually show, who was in it, and how much weight can it carry? We read the published trial paper line by line so you don’t have to. Below you will find what the study tested, what it found, what it didn’t, how the numbers on the official website compare with the paper, and our honest answer to the question: is VigRX Plus clinically proven?
Is VigRX Plus Clinically Proven?
The honest answer is not quite. VigRX Plus has something most male enhancement pills don’t: a published, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of the finished product, not just studies of its individual herbs. That trial found large improvements over placebo.
But in medicine, “proven” usually means a result has been repeated by independent researchers in larger, more varied groups of people. As far as we could find, that has not happened for VigRX Plus. So the fairest label is clinically tested, with promising early evidence. That is still more than most competitors can say; our full VigRX Plus review shows how it compares with Performer 8, Male Extra and ExtenZe.
The VigRX Plus Clinical Study at a Glance
Here are the key facts of the VigRX Plus study, taken from the published paper:
| Study detail | What the paper says |
|---|---|
| Title | Evaluation of a multi-herb supplement for erectile dysfunction: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study |
| Published | BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, September 2012 (Shah et al.) |
| Registration | Clinical Trials Registry India, CTRI/2009/091/000099 |
| Where and when | Outpatient urology and general clinics in India, May to December 2009 |
| Who took part | 78 men aged 25–50 with mild-to-moderate erection problems; 39 completed on VigRX Plus, 36 on placebo |
| Who was excluded | Men with diabetes, heart disease or other major illnesses, and ED caused by surgery, anatomy or medication |
| Dose | Two capsules twice a day (four a day). The current label says two tablets a day. |
| Length | 12 weeks, with check-ins every 4 weeks |
| Main measure | IIEF erectile function score, a standard questionnaire scored out of 30 |
| Other measures | Satisfaction (EDITS) for men and partners, testosterone, semen analysis, doctor’s assessment, side effects |
VigRX Plus Study Results
The headline result is on erectile function. After 12 weeks, the average score in the VigRX Plus group jumped by 9 points, while the placebo group barely moved:
Erectile function score (IIEF-EF, out of 30)
Average score at the start and after 12 weeks
VigRX Plus
Placebo
Here are all the main results side by side:
| Measure | VigRX Plus | Placebo | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erectile function change (out of 30) | +9.0 | +0.6 | Better than placebo |
| Total IIEF score change (all 5 areas) | +20.1 | +1.0 | Better than placebo |
| Desire, orgasm and satisfaction scores | All improved | Little change | Better than placebo |
| Man’s satisfaction (EDITS, out of 100) | 82.3 | 36.8 | Better than placebo |
| Partner’s satisfaction (EDITS, out of 100) | 82.8 | 18.5 | Better than placebo |
| Would take the same product again | 35 of 39 (90%) | 1 of 36 (3%) | Better than placebo |
| Testosterone | No real change | No real change | No difference |
| Sperm count, volume and motility | No real change | No real change | No difference |
Note the testosterone line. Despite the tribulus and ginseng in the formula, VigRX Plus did not raise testosterone in this study, so it should not be treated as a test booster. If you suspect low T is behind a falling sex drive, read our guide to the symptoms of low testosterone and get bloodwork.
Side effects in the trial
Side effects were recorded in both groups, at similar rates: 11 adverse events in the VigRX Plus group and 12 in the placebo group. The most common was mild fever, seen in both groups. One man taking VigRX Plus was hospitalized for malaria and withdrawn; the paper does not link this to the supplement. Most men in both groups rated tolerability as very good (31 on VigRX Plus, 28 on placebo).
So the trial supports “well tolerated over 12 weeks in healthy younger men.” It does not support “zero side effects,” and it says nothing about long-term use or men taking heart or blood pressure medication.
Decoding the Study Numbers on the Official Website
The VigRX Plus website quotes several eye-catching percentages from the study. Some are fair; some are presented in a way that can mislead. Here is how they line up with the published paper:
| Website claim | What the paper shows |
|---|---|
| “82.31% of participants reported a dramatic increase in sexual satisfaction” | 82.31 is the group’s average satisfaction score out of 100 on the EDITS questionnaire, not the percentage of men who improved. It is still far above placebo’s 36.78. |
| “82.75% of partners reported higher gratification” | Same again: 82.75 is the partners’ average EDITS score, versus 18.50 for placebo partners. |
| “75 men” | 75 men finished the study; 78 took part. A small difference, but worth knowing. |
| “90% chose to keep taking it after the study” | 35 of 39 men said they would take the same product again when asked. The paper does not report that they actually kept taking it. |
| Up to 62.82% better erections, 58.97% better penetration, 71.43% more satisfaction, 47% more desire | The paper confirms improvements in all these areas versus placebo, but its text does not present these exact percentages. Treat them as the manufacturer’s summary rather than figures you can check. |
| “Clinically proven” and “zero known side effects” | One positive trial is not proof, and 11 adverse events were recorded on VigRX Plus (similar to placebo). See the limitations below. |
How Good Is the VigRX Plus Research? Strengths and Limitations
A single study is only as useful as its design. This one gets several important things right, and has several weaknesses you should know about.
A few of these deserve a closer look:
The manufacturer link – The paper has no funding statement. One of its authors worked for Vedic Lifesciences, the research company the VigRX Plus website says ran its clinical studies, and the manufacturer presents the trial as its own. Industry-run trials are common and not automatically wrong, but they are more likely to report positive results, which is why independent replication matters.
The tiny placebo effect – In most ED trials, a sizeable share of men on placebo improve simply because they expect to. Here, placebo scores barely moved (+0.6). The authors say this may reflect the men’s previous treatment experience and advise reading the results “with caution.” A bigger placebo response would have made the gap between the groups smaller.
Who it applies to – The men were 25 to 50, with no diabetes or heart disease, and the study did not check whether their ED was physical or psychological. Older men and men with health conditions, who make up much of the ED population, were not tested.
The dose – Trial participants took two capsules twice a day. The product you buy today says two tablets a day. Results at the label dose have not been tested, so they may be weaker.
Reporting gaps – Some details are hard to pin down. The paper says all men on VigRX Plus completed the study but also reports one being withdrawn, and the animal studies behind the formula are listed as “unpublished data, available upon request.” These don’t overturn the results, but they are the kind of loose ends a larger, independent trial would tidy up.
Other VigRX Plus Research
Beyond the 2012 trial, the research record is thin. Here is everything we found:
| Research | What it tested | Finding |
|---|---|---|
| VigRX Plus ED trial (2012) | 78 men with mild-to-moderate ED, 12 weeks | Positive Clear gains over placebo |
| VigRX premature ejaculation trial (2010) | 85 men with premature ejaculation, 4 weeks; the paper calls the product “herbal vigRX” | No significant effect Small gains, not better than placebo |
| Animal and safety studies | Rat studies of sexual behavior and toxicity, cited in the 2012 paper | Unpublished Not available to review |
| 2021 systematic review | Herbal remedies for ED, Arab Journal of Urology | Includes it Lists the 2012 trial; rates ginseng and tribulus among the more promising herbs |
The individual ingredients also have research of their own. Korean red ginseng has the strongest human evidence for erections, but at around ten times the dose in VigRX Plus. We go through each ingredient and dose in the VigRX Plus review.
What the VigRX Plus Study Means for You
Put together, the study is most relevant if you look like the men who were in it:
If you fit the first group, the trial is a reasonable basis for a 12-week try, backed by the 67-day money-back guarantee. Our VigRX Plus results timeline lays out what to look for week by week, and when to decide whether to ask for a refund.
How User Reports Line Up With the Study
The trial measured five areas of sexual function. Here is how some customer reviews from the official VigRX Plus website map onto them. Unlike the trial, these reviews have no placebo group, so read them as experiences, not evidence.
How User Reports Line Up With the Study
The trial measured five areas of sexual function. Here is how some customer reviews from the official VigRX Plus website map onto them. Unlike the trial, these reviews have no placebo group, so read them as experiences, not evidence.
Our Verdict on the VigRX Plus Clinical Study
Where to Buy the Formula Used in the Study
The trial ran for 12 weeks, so the 3-month pack is the closest match to the study. Buy only from the official website: counterfeit VigRX Plus is common, and fakes are not the formula that was tested.
| Package | Price | Per box | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month (1 box) | $69 | $69 | A third of the trial’s length |
| 3 months (3 boxes) BEST START | $155.25 | $51.66 | Matches the 12-week trial; free U.S. shipping |
Every order is covered by the 67-day money-back guarantee: use it for up to 60 days, and if you are not satisfied, return the empty boxes and any unopened ones within 67 days of delivery for a refund, minus shipping.
Want to try the tested formula?
Order from the official site and you’re covered by the 67-day money-back guarantee.
Order VigRX Plus NOW! →Sources: Shah et al., Evaluation of a multi-herb supplement for erectile dysfunction, BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012 · Raisi et al., Effects of Herbal vigRX on Premature Ejaculation, Iranian Journal of Psychiatry, 2010 · Leisegang & Finelli, Alternative medicine and herbal remedies in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, Arab Journal of Urology, 2021 · Official VigRX Plus website and VigRX store (study claims, user reviews, prices). These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
