Holistic Health Herbal Medicine 4 Natural Remedies for Females to Treat Sexual Dysfunction By Cathy Wong facebook twitter Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process Cathy Wong Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Rochelle Collins, DO on November 19, 2019 linkedin Rochelle Collins, DO, is board-certified in family medicine. She is an assistant clinical professor of family medicine at Quinnipiac University and works in private practice in Hartford, Connecticut. Learn about our Medical Review Board Rochelle Collins, DO Updated on December 03, 2020 Print Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak Sexual dysfunction refers to persistent or recurring problems during any stage of the sexual response (desire, arousal, plateau, orgasm, resolution) that prevents an individual or a couple from experiencing satisfaction from sexual activity and causes distress. So far, scientific support for the claim that any natural remedy can treat sexual dysfunction in women is fairly lacking. Here is a look at several findings from the available research. DHEA DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone produced naturally by the adrenal glands. It is converted in the body to the hormones estrogen and testosterone. Levels of DHEA decline naturally with age and also with a condition called adrenal insufficiency. Both have been associated with low libido, which is why researchers have examined whether DHEA supplements can boost libido in these groups. There is some evidence that suggests that DHEA may help premenopausal older women who are infertile improve their sexual function. In one 2018 study, 50 women between the ages of 37 and 45 took DHEA supplementation and reported on their sexual function. The results implied that supplementation with DHEA improved sexual function (desire, arousal, and lubrication) in those women. Another study found that low dose (10 mg) supplementation of DHEA for one year in postmenopausal women provided improvement in sexual function. There is barely any evidence that it improves sexual dysfunction in premenopausal fertile women. Further, many studies have found that the effects of DHEA supplementation on sexual function are inconclusive and present disparate results—with some having no effect on libido and sexual function at all. The Health Benefits of DHEA Supplements Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba is an herb used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine as a folk remedy for respiratory conditions, cognitive impairment, and circulatory disorders. In North America, it is most commonly used as a form of alternative medicine for cognitive function and memory. Studies on the effectiveness of ginkgo for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction exist but are few and far between. In one of such studies published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior, Ginkgo biloba extract was assessed for its short-term and long-term effects on sexual function in women with sexual arousal disorder. It concluded that “neither short- or long-term administration of GBE alone substantially impacts sexual function in women." L-Arginine L-arginine is an amino acid that has numerous functions in the body. It is needed by the body to make nitric oxide, a compound that helps to relax blood vessels and allow blood to flow through arteries. In comprehensive studies where L-arginine was shown to be effective for female sexual dysfunction, the administered product always contained other substances. This makes it impossible to know if any improvement was due to the L-arginine itself or the other ingredients in the formula. The Health Benefits of L-Arginine Damiana Damiana (Turnera diffusa) is an herb used traditionally by the Mayan people of Central America to enhance sexual function in men and women. It is reported to be an aphrodisiac, stimulant, mood enhancer, and a tonic. The use of damiana as an aphrodisiac is somewhat controversial because there is no scientific evidence that it works and yet it has been widely promoted as a sexual stimulant. The Health Benefits of Damiana Not Recommended: Yohimbe The bark of the herb yohimbe (Pausinystalia Yohimbe) was historically used as a folk remedy for sexual dysfunction. The active constituent in the bark is called yohimbine. Studies have not found Yohimbe to be effective for sexual dysfunction in women. Yohimbe is not recommended due to serious health risks. Safety Concerns for Yohimbe Safety and Precautions While there are many natural remedies available to treat female sexual dysfunction, you should be very cautious about using them. There is no way to ascertain their safety. Supplements are not strictly regulated for safety and effectiveness by the FDA the way prescription and over-the-counter drugs are. Also keep in mind that the safety of supplements has not been established in children, people who are pregnant or nursing, and those with medical conditions or who are taking medications. If you're considering the use of a supplement or other form of alternative medicine for sexual dysfunction, talk with your doctor first. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Kushnir VA, Darmon SK, Barad DH, Weghofer A, Gleicher N. Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on sexual function in premenopausal infertile women. Endocrine. 2019 Mar;63(3):632-638. doi:10.1007/s12020-018-1781-3 Genazzani A, Stomati M, Valentino V, et. al. Effect of 1-year, low-dose DHEA therapy on climacteric symptoms and female sexuality. Climacteric. 2011;14(6), pp.661-668. doi:10.3109/13697137.2011.579649 Samaras N, Samaras D, Frangos E, Forster A, Philippe J. A review of age-related dehydroepiandrosterone decline and its association with well-known geriatric syndromes: is treatment beneficial?. Rejuvenation Res. 2013;16(4):285-294. doi:10.1089/rej.2013.1425 Meston CM, Rellini AH, Telch MJ. Short- and long-term effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on sexual dysfunction in women. 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