Arginine. Arginine is an amino acid that plays a role, among other things, in the healing process of wounds, the proper functioning of the immune system and the secretion of certain hormones, including growth hormone. Preliminary clinical studies have shown positive results in improving the sexual satisfaction in women^11,17,18. For example, researchers tested positive in a double-blind clinical trial in 77 women who were given either a placebo or a popular preparation (called ArginMax®) containing arginine. , damiana, ginkgo biloba and ginseng, as well as vitamins and minerals¹¹. After 4 weeks of use, 73,5% of women who received this product noted better satisfaction with their sex life, compared to 37,2% for the placebo group.

 DHEA. DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands just before puberty. Her production peaks in her twenties, then gradually decreases. It is used in particular for the production of estrogen and testosterone. According to a review of studies published in 2006, the use of DHEA to improve sexual function in women remains, for now, unconvincing.¹⁹.

Remark. There is no dietary source of DHEA. The belief that diosgenin (found mainly in wild yam, but also in other plants, including soybeans, clover and parsley) is a precursor of DHEA is unfounded.

 Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba). According to studies conducted so far, taking ginkgo biloba has no effect on female sexual dysfunction^26-28 . Only one study without placebo led to positive results²⁵.

Historically, certain plants of the aphrodisiac virtues or tonics having the effect of increasing sexual performance. For most of these plants, no conclusive clinical trials have been carried out. Sometimes preliminary tests seem to confirm the traditional knowledge, but in general, the claimed effects of these preparations are based on little scientific data. Here is a list, necessarily incomplete, of the main plants that are found in various commercial preparations intended to stimulate sexual ardor in women.

 Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis). In China, this fungus has the reputation of promoting sexual vigor, both in women and in men. A few double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in China suggest that cordyceps, at 3g per day, may stimulate impaired sexual function²⁴.

Dosage

Traditionally, it is recommended to take 5 g to 10 g of mushroom powder per day. In studies, an extract of cultivated cordyceps (Paecilomyces hepiali, strain Cs-4), at a rate of 3 g per day. Consult a practitioner trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine for personalized treatment.

 Damiane (Turnera diffusa, Formerly Turnera aphrodisiaca). The leaves of this small shrub native to Mexico, South America and the West Indies were used in the preparation of an aphrodisiac drink among the natives of Mexico. No systematic clinical trials have been performed that could demonstrate the efficacy of damian in humans. It is also unclear what components could be attributed to its claimed aphrodisiac effects.

Dosage

Consult our Damiane file.

 Epimedes (Epimedium grandiflora). The aerial parts of this herbaceous plant native to Japan are known in Traditional Chinese Medicine as Yin Yang Huo. They are credited with the power to cure sexual dysfunctions, both female and male. Although there is preliminary data indicating that the plant may have hormonal (increased testosterone levels), hypotensive and vasodilating action, no clinical trials have been conducted in humans. Furthermore, we do not have any information on the appropriate dosage under which epimedium would be effective.

 Muira puama (Liriossma ovata). The natives of the Amazon have always treated impotence and frigidity with the bark and roots of muira puama. The validity of this use has never been confirmed by clinical trials with placebo. It is therefore impossible to determine a dosage which is both effective and safe, especially since doubts have been expressed as to the effectiveness of preparations (tinctures) currently available on the market.

 Tribulus (Tribulus terrestris). The fruits of the tribulus have been used for millennia in Ayurvedic medicine (India) and in traditional Asian medicine (China, Japan, Korea, etc.), mainly to treat theinfertility and sexual dysfunctions, in both men and women. However, there is insufficient data to suggest a dosage.

 Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe). The bark of this tree of African origin was traditionally used for its aphrodisiac properties, both in women and in men. The aphrodisiac virtues of yohimbe bark are due to yohimbine, an alkaloid it contains. In a preliminary trial of 9 women, there was no positive effect of yohimbine on libido¹². On the other hand, in a trial conducted with 24 women, taking the yohimbine / arginine mixture (6 mg of each ingredient), 1 hour before sexual activity, would have increased the nerve impulses of the vagina.¹³.

Precautions

Consult our Yohimbe file to know the precautions to be taken in choosing a product and its possible undesirable effects.

 Acupuncture, meditation, yoga. According to experts at the Mayo Clinic in the United States, these approaches may be helpful in improving for sexual⁹. Acupuncture may help relieve coital pain, and possibly improve libido in women with low desire. According to research, mindfulness meditation (mindfull ness) would improve various aspects of the sexual response and alleviate the distress of women with a lack of desire. Finally, the practice of yoga, paying particular attention to the breathing during the postures, would notably improve sexual energy.

 Hypnothérapie. According to researcher Irving Binik, professor of psychology at McGill University (Montreal) and director of the Sexual and Couple Therapy Service at the Royal Victoria Hospital, coital pain, whether it is dyspareunia or vaginismus, may be associated with the fact that, in many women who suffer from it, the pain tolerance threshold is particularly low^21,22. Therefore, it would be helpful to provide them with the tools that are provided to patients with chronic pain. The professor also reported the case of a patient suffering from dyspareunia for 3 years and whose pain disappeared permanently following a series of hypnotherapy sessions.²³.

 Psychotherapy. Although there are no scientific studies to support their effectiveness in the specific treatment of sexual dysfunction, certain types of psychotherapy can help people have better sex lives. Several approaches are described in the Therapies section. You can consult the following sheets in particular: Body abandonment, Bioenergetic analysis (bioenergy), Art therapy, Focusing, Gestalt, Postural integration and Neurolinguistic programming. They can offer tools to improve attitudes towards sexuality, to readjust expectations (perhaps unrealistic), to review acquired behaviors in order to progress towards better sexual satisfaction.

Choosing one psychotherapeutic approach over another depends on personal considerations. For more details on the various categories of psychotherapy and the elements that may motivate the choice, see our Psychotherapy sheet.