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Sexual dysfunction refers to a problem occurring during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual or couple from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual activity. Desire and arousal are both part of the excitement phase of the sexual response.
While research suggests that sexual dysfunction is common (43 percent of women and 31 percent of men report some degree of difficulty), it is a topic that many people are hesitant to discuss.
It includes Lack of interest in or desire for sex, Erectile dysfunction (ED), Inability to achieve orgasm, and a variety of other conditions.
Source:
An Overview of Sexual Dysfunction \ ClevelandClinic.org
Causes:
Physical (aging, change in hormones, ...), Psychological (stress,
Treatment:
There are a variety of treatments depending on the cause.
e.g. Sex therapy, Psychotherapy , Surgery, Education,
The most common ones are Medication (e.g. all the ED Ads on TV)
Medications/Suplements:
For men:
Two general categories:
Increase blood flow.
Prescription - Viagra (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil), Levitra (vardenafil).
These won't help unless you are sexually aroused to begin with.
For example some men loose desire after their wife has a mastectomy without reconstruction. Viagra won't help.
Stress and illness can also suppress libido.
Supplements:
I couldn't find any good reviews or trials of any of these over-the-counter drugs.
The best credible article is at
Erectile dysfunction herbs: A natural treatment for ED? - Mayo Clinic
These supplements are good for a variety of things. Some work like Viagra others enhance Libido.
- Studied in people, positive results, generally safe
- DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone produced by your body's adrenal glands that decreases with age.
-
L-arginine - An amino acid found in red meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products.
It is used for a variety of conditions, high blood pressure, and coronary artery disease, migraine headaches, wound healing, senile dementia, erectile dysfunction (ED), and male infertility....
Stimulates the production of nitric oxide which supports vasodilation.
-
Panax ginseng - A plant used for improving thinking, concentration, memory and work efficiency, physical stamina, and athletic endurance.
Panax ginseng is also used for bleeding disorders, loss of appetite, vomiting, intestinal problems, fibromyalgia, sleeping problems (insomnia), nerve pain, joint pain, dizziness, headache, convulsions, disorders of pregnancy and childbirth, hot flashes due to menopause, and to slow the aging process.
Other types of ginseng:
Siberian ginseng, which is occasionally used as an aphrodisiac, and red Korean or Asian ginseng, which is used in Chinese traditional medicine and has slightly more research behind it.
A couple of good studies showed some effect from ginseng, so people can look at this as an alternative to Viagra. But it's not going to be as effective as Viagra or Levitra or Cialis. -
WebMD
Reviews: x.x (yy) - x.x = score out of 5, yy = number of reviewers
4.0 (84) Amazon, 4.3 (7) GNC
- Studied in people, positive results, risky
-
Yohimbe - Extracted from bark from an African tree can improve sexual dysfunction associated with a drug used to Treat depression. Has a number of side effects. Yohimbe shouldn't be used without a doctor's supervision.
Side effects, include increased blood pressure, fast or irregular heartbeat, and anxiety. Yohimbe shouldn't be used without a doctor's supervision.
3.2 (37) GNC
-
RevBoost -
Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Rev Boost-Natural Testosterone Booster 3.7 (138)
Others commonly used:
Horny Goat Weed Horny goat weed is an herb - Some men use horny goat weed for sexual performance problems including erectile dysfunction (ED) and involuntary ejaculation. It is also used to arouse sexual desire.
It is also used for weak back and knees, joint pain, osteoarthritis, mental and physical fatigue, memory loss, high blood pressure, heart disease, bronchitis,
Erectile dysfunction herbs: A natural treatment for ED? - Mayo Clinic, says there is no evidence that it works.
See Horny Goat Weed: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings - WebMD
Testosterone. Testosterone is a male hormone, or androgen. It is not recommended as a treatment for erectile dysfunction when blood tests reveal the man has a normal testosterone level.
See:
Do Testosterone Supplements Work? What You Need to Know | healthline.com
Yohimbine bark and Testosterone, are not recommended as a treatment for erectile dysfunction, according to the most recent treatment guidelines by the American Urological Association.
See
Erectile Dysfunction Treatment | WebMD
Most of the above require taking them for a month or two.
Increase desire, libido, aphrodisiacs, mojo, performance, stamina, ...
I couldn't find any good trials as to the effectiveness of these.
Here's a couple that got scores of 3 or 4 out of 5 and were not on the
FDA avoid list.
Here's a couple that seemed to get mostly good reviews 3.5 or higher with a 10 or more reviewers.
Reviews: x.x (yy) - x.x = score out of 5, yy = number of reviewers
-
ArginMax - 2-4 weeks
L-Arginine, Ginseng, Ginko, Vitamins
3.7 (51) GNC,
3.9 (79) durgstore.com
- Libido Max - 1 hour
Ingredients:
Stamina & Extending Blend (760 mg): Maca Powder (Root), Ashwagandha Powder (Root), Dimethylglycine (DMG), CDP-Choline.
Libido Boosting Blend (740 mg): Epimedium (Epimedium Sagittatum) (Horny Goat Weed) Extract (10% Icariin) (Aerial), Tribulus Extract (40% Saponins) (Plant), Yohimbe Extract (2% Total Alkaloids) (Bark), L-Tyrosine.
Power Max Blend (341 mg): L-Arginine (as L-Arginine Hydrochloride), NADH (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide).
Bioperine Complex (10 mg): Ginger Extract (5% Gingerols) (Root), Long Pepper Extract (1.5% Piperine) (Fruit), Bioperine Black Pepper Extract (95% Piperine) (Fruit).
Other Ingredients: Soy Bean Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, Purified Water, Beeswax, Soy Lecithin, Caramel Color and St. John's Bread.
3.5 (34) SupplementCritique.com,
4.1 (9) walgrens, , 3.0 (2) CVS
-
Pine Pollen Powder 18 Amino Acids - Testosterone bost.
4.3 (21) | Amazon
- Nugenix - Testosterone Booster
3.2 (252) Amazon
- Korean red ginseng
See:
Sexual Health Products Online | drugstore.com
Natural Sex Boosters: Can You Rev Up Your Libido?
Natural Supplements For Sexual Stamina| Walgreens
Sexual Health - - GNC
The Five Best Supplements and Foods to Increase Sexual Performance. | Ben Greenfield
Sexual Well Being - Buy Sexual Health Supplements at the Vitamin Shoppe
Notes:
Erectile Dysfunction Treatment | WebMD has a list of supplements the FDA says you should avoid.
If you're buying an off-the-shelf supplement, the quality is worth questioning, Saigal says. "There is so much fraud in this industry," Saigal tells WebMD. "Go to a site that evaluates the contents, like
ConsumerLab.com. One evaluation of ginseng showed that half the brands had contaminants like pesticides. So buyer beware. Look for high-quality products."
Natural Sex Boosters: Can You Rev Up Your Libido? | WebMD
Links:
An Overview of Sexual Dysfunction \ ClevelandClinic.org
Treatment of male sexual dysfunction | UpToDate.com
10 Aphrodisiac Myths - HowStuffWorks
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last updated 29 Dec 2014
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