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Nutritional Supplement May Enhance
Sexual Function in Women

From:Primary Psychiatry.2001:8(7):28-30

A patent-pending nutritional supplement containing L-arginine, ginseng, ginkgo, damiana, and 14 other vitamins and minerals (ArginMax, Daily Wellness Company) has been shown to significantly increase sexual desire and overall sexual satisfaction in women. Findings from a key study investigating the supplement were presented by Mary Lake Polan, PhD, MPH, and Aileen S. Trant, PhD, at the 9th Annual Congress on Women's Health and Gender-Based Medicine held in Washington, DC.

L-arginine is an essential amino acid that works to increase levels of nitric oxide, which can increase blood flow and act as a signal molecule for sexual arousal. Ginseng, ginkgo, and damiana have been used for overall well being, the researchers noted. "We believe that nutrition, along with other lifestyle factors, can play a major role in optimizing sexual health in women," Dr. Trant said.

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the researchers compared the dietary supplement vs. placebo to assess the supplements effects on female sexual health. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), a self administered measure of various aspects of sexuality, including sexual desire, satisfaction, and sensitivity, was completed by 93 female participants 22-73 years of age who were lacking in sexual desire. The supplement was administered to 46 subjects; 47 received placebo. The FSFI was again completed after the 4-week program ended (the nutritional supplement takes 2-4 weeks to reach optimal effect), and subject responses were then statistically compared to the responses of the placebo group.

Overall, 64 of the women taking the supplement reported increased levels of sexual desire and 62 reported increased satisfaction with sex life (compared to 43 and 38 in the placebo group). Among perimenopausal subjects (women aged 39-57 years), 73 reported increased satisfaction with their sexual relationship and 91 reported an increase in frequency of their sexual intercourse (compared to 40 and 20 in the placebo group). "Perhaps this is the stage of life when these attributes are most at issue," said Dr. Trant. The differences were statistically significant (P.01). Measures of increased lubrication, frequency of sexual desire, satisfaction with sexual relationship, and degree of clitoral sensation also reached levels of significance (P.05). No adverse effects were reported in association with the supplement.

"The increase in the frequency and the level of sexual desire were interesting and somewhat unexpected," Dr. Trant said. "This is an important finding worthy of further investigation, and points to the importance of a potential central feedback loop as it relates to sexual desire, much in the same way that other reproductive functions, such as lactation and ovulation, involve central feedback."

Forty-one percent of women in the United States report concerns with sexual health, yet there is still a real scarcity of research in the area, noted Dr. Trant. "Lack of sexual desire is reported to be the second most common complaint in the ob/gyn office, yet physicians generally have little to offer their patients," Dr. Trant said. "This is the first step towards addressing a very complicated and multifaceted issue that impacts the lives of many women."