![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by borderliner21 on July 22, 2002, at 13:40:24
Has anyone tried ginkgo biloba with an ssri for sexual dysfunction?? Can they be combined safely?
Posted by joy on July 22, 2002, at 19:39:10
In reply to ginkgo biloba, posted by borderliner21 on July 22, 2002, at 13:40:24
I always read about someone wondering if Gingko supposedly helps sexual dysfunction from the antidepressants, but I never see lots of people say that it's so. I'm not trying to be negative but if someone out there swears by it, let us know. Evryone on Psycho Babble [almost everyone] has sexual side effects from most of the SSRIs, etc.
Joy
Posted by Mimi on July 22, 2002, at 22:13:56
In reply to Re: ginkgo biloba, posted by joy on July 22, 2002, at 19:39:10
> I always read about someone wondering if Gingko supposedly helps sexual dysfunction from the antidepressants, but I never see lots of people say that it's so. I'm not trying to be negative but if someone out there swears by it, let us know. Evryone on Psycho Babble [almost everyone] has sexual side effects from most of the SSRIs, etc.
> JoyWOW,WOW, "...almost everyone on PB has sexual side effects from most of the SSRIs" I don't feel so alone now. Yes, please let us know if ginko biloba is THE antidote.
Mimi
Posted by Bill L on July 23, 2002, at 15:50:52
In reply to Re: ginkgo biloba, posted by Mimi on July 22, 2002, at 22:13:56
The recommended dose of Ginkgo for mental alertness and memory is 120 mg per day taken in 2 or 3 doses (60 mg or 40 mg). For SSRI sexual dysfunction, the recommended dose is double that (240 mg per day).
It has helped me with that side effect but not as much as I would like. But I do feel more alert mentally.
Another herb is Yohimbine. The recommended amount for SSRI sexual side effects is 5 mg twice a day. Or, 10 mg taken only as needed from 1 to 2 hours before sex.
I take it as needed instead of every day. And it does work for me. The only bad side effect is that it makes me somewhat jittery the rest of the day. Also I am in the minority. The medical sites say that it only works in about 20% of the people who take it for SSRI sexual side effects.
Be aware that Ginkgo should be stopped if you have bleeding problems and Yohimbine can elevate blood pressure in some people.
I guess Viagra is the best with the least side effects for men. Also some people add Wellbutrin to offset sexual side effects.
Posted by janejj on July 23, 2002, at 21:14:37
In reply to ginkgo biloba, posted by borderliner21 on July 22, 2002, at 13:40:24
Hi,
There haven't been any clinical trials as far as I know (I have done research) to suggest that this herb helps with the sexual side effects of SSRI's.
People also think that it helps with memory, but the only trials done suggest that it helps people with demetia to a mild degree, not that it helps regular people with their memory !!! Doctors wouldn't give a heart medicine to someone without a heart defect to make their heart work better.
Ok good luck, you may find that after a while on your SSRI that the effects on your sex drive might start to wane a little, this is my experience.
janejj
Posted by seweryn on July 24, 2002, at 14:48:55
In reply to Don't bother, posted by janejj on July 23, 2002, at 21:14:37
I noticed improved erections after taking it. I take zoloft and zyprexa 2,5 mg.
I had no problems with erections and I took it for more sex drive but it costs me too much. I think it may help a little.
seweryn
Posted by ross on July 24, 2002, at 21:08:21
In reply to Re: Don't bother, posted by seweryn on July 24, 2002, at 14:48:55
if you look on dr.goldbergs web page under sexual side effects from ssri's there was 1 clinical study involving healthy males tritrated up to 120mgs BID of ginko and on the arizona sexual scale all male members reported better erections and achievement of orgasms and a reversal in anorgasmia. when they came off ginko all side effects came back.
ross
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.