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THE SEXUAL BENEFITS OF ZINC FOR MEN AND WOMEN

KAROLINA WILDE AUGUST 28, 2025


9 MINS READ


Did you know there are many sexual benefits of zinc for men and women? And when we say “many,” we truly mean it.

Zinc is often praised for its various health benefits, but not many people know that not only is it essential for bone growth and keeping our immune system healthy, but it also plays a key role in our sexual health and well-being.

If you haven’t been convinced to eat enough zinc-rich foods before, you might want to change your mind after you read this article. Let’s discuss the nine sexual benefits of zinc for men and women.

5 Sexual Benefits. Key health benefits of zinc for men:

Supports Healthy Testosterone. Sex hormone that's important for good sexual health.

Zinc and Testosterone. Zinc deficiency can impact testosterone levels.

A recent systematic review found a direct link between zinc and testosterone.

Adequate zinc supplementation can boost testosterone levels in men.

May Help with Ejaculation. Control and improve your sexual performance.

A study in Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine explored if Rhodiola rosea, folic acid, biotin, and zinc supplementation affects men with premature ejaculation.

Fifty-five of ninety-one patients reported improved ejaculation control with minimal adverse effects. Enhanced control led to better sexual life quality.

Promotes Healthy Erections

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common health issue affecting many men, and its origins can be multifaceted and complex to determine.

A study of 3,745 people (1,096 ED patients & 2,649 without ED) found that those without ED consumed more zinc-rich foods than those with ED.

As we already mentioned, zinc boosts testosterone production. Some research suggests that testosterone might help boost blood flow to the penis, which leads to healthy, strong erections.

But wait, that’s not all.

Zinc is a key component in the production of nitric oxide, which is a molecule that helps relax blood vessels and increase blood flow. Improving overall blood flow in the body means improved blood flow to the genital area, which helps produce healthy, strong erections.

4. Improves Sperm Health and Fertility

Zinc plays a vital role in male fertility as it’s one of the key elements in sperm production. Studies show that low zinc intake may raise the risk of low-quality sperm.

The sexual benefits of zinc don’t end with men. Here are four key benefits of sufficient zinc intake for women’s sexual health:

Sense of smell is a key factor for experiencing sexual pleasure – research shows that people who are more sensitive to smells report higher pleasure from sexual activities.

The sexual benefits of zinc don’t end with men. Here are four key benefits of sufficient zinc intake for women’s sexual health:

One of the many benefits of zinc is that it can help enhance the sense of scent and taste. Improving your sense of scent may lead to a higher sense of pleasure during sexual activities.

A systematic review published in 2016 shows that zinc supplementation significantly improved semen volume, sperm motility, and sperm structure in infertile men. It also helped improve sperm quality, but it didn’t increase the sperm count.

Great stories embrace vulnerability.

May Help Improve PCOS Symptoms

PCOS is a metabolic disorder affecting women of reproductive age, making pregnancy challenging.

PCOS often involves hormonal imbalance and insulin resistance, increasing the risk of Type 2 diabetes. Zinc might help.

Enhances Sexual Pleasure and Orgasms

Increased sensitivity to smells during sexual activities can heighten pleasure and orgasms in women.

Consuming zinc enhances your sense of scent and taste. This can lead to more pleasure during sexual activities and more orgasms.

Might Reduce Period Cramps

Dysmenorrhea is pretty common amongst women of all reproductive ages. Research shows that zinc can help alleviate painful menstruation.

Supports Vaginal Health in Menopausal Women

The decline in vaginal lubrication impacts the quality of sex satisfaction in menopausal and post-menopausal women.

Research shows that zinc plays a key role in maintaining the composition of the vaginal wall tissue. What does that mean? Well, keeping the vaginal wall tissue healthy may help improve natural lubrication.

A small study that looked into the effect of vaginal moisturizing gels containing zinc found that they were effective at helping minimize vaginal dryness, which can often cause discomfort during sex in menopausal and post-menopausal women.

Other Health Benefits of Zinc for Women and Men

Believe it or not, the health benefits of zinc don’t end here! Here are other ways zinc helps keep us healthy and well:

Boost Immunity

Zinc has many anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It plays an important role in the health of our immune system and is an essential micronutrient to help our bodies defend against infections and other health threats.

Helps Maintain Healthy Skin

Zinc plays a vital role in keeping our skin healthy. Research shows that zinc is essential in every stage of wound healing and helps protect against infections.

A 2020 meta-analysis also found that people who suffer from acne have lower zinc levels than those who don’t have acne. Researchers also found that patients with acne who were treated with zinc treatments saw a significant improvement in their condition.

Prevents Age-Related Vision Loss

Zinc may play an important role in delaying age-related macular degeneration and vision loss. While it can’t help prevent degeneration, researchers found that zinc deficiency might impact the development of degeneration in the first place, but further research is still needed.

Supports Bone Health

Zinc is responsible for helping children grow and develop properly, and that includes bone health and formation. Some research suggests that zinc might be a key element in preventing osteoporosis, but more conclusive research is needed.

How To Know if You Are Zinc Deficient

Around 17% of the world’s population is at risk of developing zinc deficiency. Because zinc is an essential micronutrient, zinc deficiency can affect the skin, bones, digestive system, central nervous system, reproductive system, and immunity.

Zinc deficiency symptoms vary by age and can show up in different ways:

Diarrhea in infants and kids Frequent infections and low immunity Loss of appetite Reduced smell and taste Slower wound healing Changes in mind and mood

Some people are more likely to develop a zinc deficiency than others:

People with gut issues like inflammatory bowel disease Vegetarians and vegans Pregnant individuals Kids with sickle cell disease People with alcohol use disorder

Zinc Supplementation the Right Way

The National Library of Medicine recommends a daily zinc intake of 11 mg for men (14+) and 8 mg for women (14+).

To ensure sufficient zinc, consume a balanced diet rich in zinc-containing foods, such as:

Oysters Shrimp Sardines Meat and poultry Pumpkin seeds Dairy products

Zinc supplements are available. Most adults don't need them with a balanced diet. Excessive zinc can negatively impact health.

Zinc Supplementation Side Effects

High zinc intakes can cause unpleasant symptoms:

Vomiting Nausea Dizziness Headaches Loss of appetite

Very high zinc consumption might interfere with magnesium absorption and balance in your body, which can also negatively impact your health.

If you think that you’re not getting enough zinc in your diet and may want to start supplementing it, consider speaking with a medical advisor. They can run some tests to see whether you have zinc deficiency and help you find the right way to supplement, whether through diet improvements or other ways.

The Bottom Line

Zinc is definitely a micronutrient that’s not talked about enough, considering how important it is to our overall health and sexual functioning. The sexual benefits of zinc for men and women are huge:

Zinc helps improve sperm health and fertility in men Boosts testosterone Balances female sex hormones Improves vaginal health in post-menopausal women Reduced period cramps Helps manage erectile dysfunction

To make sure you’re reaping all the health and sexual function benefits that zinc offers, focus on eating a healthy, well-balanced diet that includes a variety of foods rich in zinc, such as:

Greek yoghurt Eggs Seafood Meat and poultry Pumpkin seeds

A balanced diet should be enough to help you get enough zinc on a daily basis, but if you do want to supplement zinc in other ways, consider consulting your doctor or dietitian first so they can find the best solution for you and your health.

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KAROLINA WILDE

Author & Freelance Writer

Karolina Wilde is the author of House of Pain, the first book in a seductive dark fantasy romance trilogy, a journalist, and a sex-positive freelance writer who worked with some of the biggest brands in the world. Find her on social media @karolinawilde or on her website www.karolinawilde.com.

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