Posted by Bill LL on July 1, 2004, at 9:05:05
In reply to sex and antidepressants « tampagirl70, posted by Dr. Bob on June 30, 2004, at 21:57:12
It's true that Wellbutrin has a low risk of sexual side effects. It's almost certain that the problem is caused by the Celexa.
For men, there is Viagra and the other ED drugs. For women, it's a more difficult problem.
There are some herbal remedies that show mixed results. I personally take Lexapro which is similar to Celexa. I take American ginseng to help with sexual side effects and it does help although it's not a total cure.
You might want to try American ginseng. It takes about a month to work. Take a standardized type. My brand in Solgar.
Another option would be to switch to Lexapro which might have a lower degree of sexual side effects.
AnIt's true that Wellbutrin has a low risk of sexual side effects. It's almost certain that the problem is caused by the Celexa.
For men, there is Viagra and the other ED drugs. For women, it's a more difficult problem.
There are some herbal remedies that show mixed results. I personally take Lexapro which is similar to Celexa. I take American ginseng to help with sexual side effects and it does help although it's not a total cure.
You might want to try American ginseng. It takes about a month to work. Take a standardized type. My brand in Solgar.
Another option would be to switch to Lexapro which might have a lower degree of sexual side effects.
Another herbal option is Arginmax:
A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study on ArginMax, a Nutritional Supplement for Enhancement of Female Sexual Function
Anurag K. Das MD FACS1, Thomas Y. Ito MD2, Aileen S. Trant PhD3,
Mary Lake Polan MD PhD41 Associate Professor of Urology, Albany Medical College
2 Assistant Professor of Urology, Univ. of Hawaii School of Medicine
3 The Daily Wellness Company
4 Professor and Chair, Dept. of Gyn-Ob, Stanford Univ. School of MedicineCorrespondence: Mary Lake Polan, MD, PhD. Professor & Chair, Dept of Gyn/Ob, Stanford Univ. School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Dr., Stanford, CA, 94305.
INTRODUCTION
This pilot study explores the role of nutritional supplementation in female sexual function. The scientific literature indicates that certain botanical extracts, vitamins, or amino acids may play a role in sexual function, including:L-Arginine
· Precursor to nitric oxide (NO).
· NO may modulate vaginal blood supply and smooth muscle relaxation.
· Supplementation impacts NO production.
· May reduce cell-mediated breakdown of cGMP.Korean Ginseng (Panax Ginseng):
· Ginsenosides may up-regulate NOS activity, hence enhance the conversion of L-Arginine to NO.
· Ginsenosides shown to increase NO production in endothelial cells.Ginkgo Biloba:
· Facilitates microvascular circulation.Damiana:
· Helps promote a relaxed state of mind.
· Phyto-progestin receptor binding activity.ArginMax (www.arginmax.com, The Daily Wellness Company), is a daily nutritional supplement consisting of highly standardized:
· L-arginine
· Korean ginseng (Panax Ginseng-30% ginsenosides)
· Ginkgo biloba (24% flavone glycosides, 6% terpene lactones)
· Damiana (Turnera Aphrodisiaca)
· 14 vitamins and minerals including vitamins A,C,E, B6, B12, folate, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, biotin, pantothenic acid, zinc, calcium, and iron.This study examines a systematically designed combinatorial nutritional supplement for the enhancement of female sexual function using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), a validated assessment instrument.
METHODS
· 77 women with sexual dysfunction
· Enrolled consecutively
· Two groups randomly assigned active or placebo in a double blind fashion
· Baseline & 4 weeks medical history, physical examination, BP measurement, and assessment using FSFI
· Daily regimen of ArginMax for 4 weeksRESULTS (Based on FSFI assessment):
70.6% improved in sexual desire level
(placebo=41.9%), (p<0.01)
73.5% improved in satisfaction with sex life
(placebo=37.2%), (p<0.01)
61.8% improved in sexual relationship with partner
(placebo=34.9%), (p<0.01)
47.1% improved in frequency of orgasms
(placebo=30.2%), (p<0.07)
52.9% improved in clitoral sensation to stimulation
(placebo=34.9%), (p<0.06)
Side Effects
No significant change in blood pressure. No reports of headaches, nausea, stomach upset, chest pain, dizziness, vision disturbance, or cardiovascular complications.Subject Group Profile
ArginMax
Placebo
Total # of subjects
34
43
Age range, mean
24-71, 44.5
22-68, 41.0
DISCUSSION
Our study evaluated the role of nutritional supplementation in female sexual health. Proposed mechanism is through up-regulation of the nitric oxide (NO) pathway resulting in smooth muscle relaxation, vascular dilatation, and enhancement of peripheral circulation, resulting in improved clitoral engorgement and vaginal lubrication.Role of nutritional supplements for sexual health is an infrequently discussed yet extremely important subject which warrants in-depth research.
CONCLUSION
Based on the findings of this study, there appears to be a clinically important role for nutritional supplementation in sexual health and female sexual function. The expansion of the current study protocol is expected to exceed several hundred patients.
> Posted by tampagirl70 on June 30, 2004, at 14:51:50
>
> > ever since i started taking ad's 6 years ago, my sex drive has decreased. what can i take or do to increase it/make it better? i'm taking celexa and wellbutrin, 2 of the meds with supposedly the least amount of sexual side effects.
>
poster:Bill LL
thread:362153
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040627/msgs/362248.html