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Gingko: Gingko has been used in traditional Chinese
medicine for thousands of years.
Gingko leaf extract is used today to boost mental
power, treat
asthma, fatigue, and sexual dysfunction. Some studies show that gingko enhances the effects of
nitric oxide -- which allows
better blood flow to the penis.
"Gingko is one of those herbs that's pretty popular," says
Saigal. "The thing is, there's no great data on it." Gingko is thought to help with
sexual dysfunction
related to antidepressant use, he notes. "One study showed that gingko made no
difference; the other showed some
slight difference. There may be a large placebo effect,
but there have been anecdotal reports that it helps some people."
Yohimbe: Yohimbe is derived from bark of the
yohimbe tree, native to Africa -- and
traditionally used as an aphrodisiac. In current times,
"this extract has
been shown to be moderately effective in treating ED," says Saigal. "It may perhaps
increase erections and libido, because
it has some effect on the brain.
Some studies indicate that yohimbe may help ED in men
taking antidepressants, although research in this area is limited. Caution: Some
yohimbe
bark extracts may not contain significant amounts of yohimbine, so they may not have these
effects. "There's a buyer- beware
issue," Saigal adds. "A lot of supplements use
names that sound like yohimbe but are basically worthless. Look at the content label.
Make
sure it's from the yohimbe tree." Also, look for the name of the active
ingredient -- yohimbine or yohimbine hydrochloride.
Sexual Desire,
Supplements…and the Science continued...
Maca: Maca is a vegetable native to Peru -- and is
traditionally used as an aphrodisiac, says Saigal. "There have been rat studies, but
studies to
support its use are very limited," he adds. "But because it's a vegetable, maca won't hurt
you."
Pycnogenol:
Pycnogenol is an extract of the bark from French maritime
pine. It is believed that pycnogenol helps protect blood vessels
and
boost production of nitric oxide -- similar to L-arginine, yohimbe, gingko, and ginseng.
"Some studies show that taking L-arginine and pycnogenol
together boosts nitric oxide production," says Saigal. "Those weren't
randomized trials [compared to
placebo], but there was an effect. So there's some effect in combining the two."
ArginMax: If female patients are interested in
herbs, Hutcherson guides them to ArginMax (a combination of Panax ginseng, L-arginine,
ginkgo biloba, damiana, multivitamins and minerals).
Two large clinical studies found that ArginMax improved
sexual function in menopausal and other women with low sexual desire,
Hutcherson explains.
Zestra for Women: Zestra, a blend of botanical oils
and extracts, is designed to increase female sexual desire, arousal, pleasure, and
satisfaction when applied to the female genitalia, says Hutcherson. Zestra’s ingredients
include: borage seed oil, evening primrose oil,
angelica extract, coleus extract,
vitamin C, and vitamin E.
In a preliminary study, Zestra was shown to increase
sexual sensation, arousal, pleasure, and satisfaction in "normal women" and women
with
arousal problems. Zestra also helped with sexual side effects related to
antidepressants.
"You rub it on your clitoris, which is supposed to
increase blood flow," Hutcherson explains. But "I don't know whether it's the Zestra that
works or because they're rubbing the clitoris."
The NIH is launching a clinical study comparing Zestra to
placebo in women with a variety of sexual dysfunctions, including problems with
interest, desire,
arousal, and orgasm.
Vitamin E: Vitamin E oil -- when applied to the
vagina -- helps improve lubrication. "It is very effective," Hutcherson says.
Cautionary Notes About
DHEA Supplements
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a natural hormone that is
converted into male and female sex hormones in the body. DHEA is sold as
an antiaging supplement that improves energy, strength, and
muscle, plus it increases immunity and burns fat.
However, the NIH says, "there is no conclusive evidence that DHEA
supplements do any of these things,” and "there is little scientific
evidence to support the use of DHEA as a 'rejuvenating'
hormone."
Long-term effects of DHEA supplements have not been studied -- but
there are "early signs that these supplements, even when taken
briefly, may have detrimental effects on the body, including liver
damage."
Even if DHEA does rev your libido, it won't help erections, Saigal
says. "If the goal is a better erection, getting more testosterone won't
help. I advise using a pharmaceutical instead. I would say, start
with [Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra] first -- especially since we don't know the
long-term effects of DHEA."
Keeping Your Libido
Healthy
Pills aren't the only answer. If flagging sexual desire is the
problem, "find something that adds spice," Hutcherson says. "Find something
interesting that stimulates your mind, since the brain is
the largest sex organ."
Her libido-boosting
suggestions:
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Sleep in the bedroom. Have sex
anywhere else -- the den, kitchen, or laundry room.
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Seize the moment wherever,
whenever, it hits.
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Buy something new. New
lingerie definitely qualifies.
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Send hot sizzling notes to
each other during the day.
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Buy a sex toy. Read an erotic
novel together. Watch an erotic video.
"There are so many things, you can never run out of ideas,"
Hutcherson says. "What helps most -- the best aphrodisiac -- is going on a
field trip to an adult store together. Try different
things, touch, giggle, have a good time. You find you can't wait to get home to try them."
Protecting Your Sexual
Desire
To keep your libido in prime form, you've got to walk, jog -- do
some kind of aerobic exercise daily. Maybe it doesn't sound sexy, but a
two-mile walk every day keeps the blood flowing, Saigal says.
Losing weight (if you're obese) and eating a low-fat diet also
helps restore sexual function, he adds. "You'll feel better about yourself, and
your partner will be more interested in you. You'll
also help your heart." And that’s very sexy.
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