Sexual dysfunction
Supplements studied for sexual dysfunction.
Overview
Maca (4 studies) is rated possibly effective for sexual dysfunction. Ashwagandha (3 studies) may improve desire and function in both women and men in small trials over eight weeks. Ginkgo (4 studies) appears unlikely to help female sexual dysfunction when used alone, though combination products show mixed results.
Vitex agnus-castus (2 studies) may slightly improve satisfaction and arousal in women, but evidence is uncertain. L-Carnitine has insufficient data. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below.
Effect graph
Relevant supplements
Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.
| Maca | ★★★★★ | Medium |
| Saw Palmetto | ★★★★★ | Low |
| L-Carnitine | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Ashwagandha | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Vitex agnus-castus | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Vitamin D | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Ginkgo | ★★★★★ | Very Low / None |
Studies
Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.
7 supplements for , and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
MacaView supplement →
Consider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Maca is possibly effective for sexual dysfunction.
Browse 4 studies
RCTA double-blind placebo-controlled trial of maca root as treatment for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction in women2015n=45
A 12-week double-blind RCT of 45 women with SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction found 3 g/day maca improved sexual function scores, with greater benefit in postmenopausal women.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 3.0 g/day
- Population
- Postmenopausal women
- Participants
- 45
- Avg age
- ~42
RCTA pilot investigation into the effect of maca supplementation on physical activity and sexual desire in sportsmen2009
A 14-day crossover pilot of trained male cyclists found maca supplementation increased self-reported sexual desire vs placebo but did not significantly improve 40 km time-trial performance.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 14 days
- Population
- Athletes
RCTA double-blind, randomized, pilot dose-finding study of maca root (L. meyenii) for the management of SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction2008n=10
An 8-week dose-finding RCT of 20 patients with SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction found 3 g/day maca significantly improved ASEX and MGH-SFQ scores vs 1.5 g/day, which showed no benefit.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 1.5 g/day
- Population
- Men
- Participants
- 10
- Avg age
- ~36
RCTBeneficial effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on psychological symptoms and measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women are not related to estrogen or androgen content2008
A 12-week crossover RCT of 14 postmenopausal women found 3.5 g/day maca significantly reduced anxiety, depression, and sexual dysfunction scores vs placebo without altering estrogen or androgen levels.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 6 weeks
- Dose
- 3.5 g/day
- Population
- Postmenopausal women
AshwagandhaView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Small studies suggest that taking ashwagandha root extract twice daily for 8 weeks may help improve sexual desire and function in both women and men.
- In women, it increased sexual satisfaction, lubrication, and orgasms, while in men, it improved feelings of arousal, desire, and sexual activity compared to placebo.
Browse 3 studies
RCTEffect of standardized root extract of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on well-being and sexual performance in adult males: A randomized controlled trial2022n=50
In 50 adult men over 8 weeks, ashwagandha 600 mg/day improved subjective sexual well-being and serum testosterone versus placebo without changing prolactin.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 8 weeks
- Dose
- 600 mg/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 50
RCTEfficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract for Improvement of Sexual Health in Healthy Women: A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study2022n=40
In 80 women with hypoactive sexual desire, ashwagandha 300 mg twice daily for 8 weeks improved Female Sexual Function Index and distress scores and increased satisfying sexual encounters versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 8 weeks
- Dose
- 300 mg 2×/day
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 40
- Ages
- 18–50
RCTEfficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Improving Sexual Function in Women: A Pilot Study2015n=50
In 50 women with sexual dysfunction, high-concentration ashwagandha 300 mg twice daily for 8 weeks improved FSFI arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction scores versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 8 weeks
- Dose
- 300 mg 2×/day
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 50
- Ages
- 21–50
L-CarnitineView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- There is not enough evidence to determine if L-carnitine has any benefit for sexual dysfunction.
Browse 3 studies
Clinical trialAcetyl-L-carnitine plus propionyl-L-carnitine improve efficacy of sildenafil in treatment of erectile dysfunction after bilateral nerve-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy2005n=96
In 96 post-prostatectomy men, propionyl-L-carnitine plus acetyl-L-carnitine with sildenafil improved erectile function scores versus sildenafil alone.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 2 g/day
- Population
- Men with erectile dysfunction
- Participants
- 96
RCTCarnitine versus androgen administration in the treatment of sexual dysfunction, depressed mood, and fatigue associated with male aging2004n=120
An RCT in 120 men aged 60–74 found propionyl-L-carnitine plus acetyl-L-carnitine (2 g/day each) for 6 months improved erectile function and mood as well as testosterone, without raising prostate volume.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 6 months
- Dose
- 160 mg/day
- Population
- Older men
- Participants
- 120
- Ages
- 60–74
RCTPreliminary observations on the use of propionyl-L-carnitine in combination with sildenafil in patients with erectile dysfunction and diabetes2004n=20
In 20 diabetic men with ED unresponsive to sildenafil, adding propionyl-L-carnitine 2 g/day improved IIEF scores and intercourse success versus sildenafil alone over 24 weeks.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 24 weeks
- Dose
- 2 g/day
- Population
- Diabetic patients
- Participants
- 20
Saw PalmettoView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Saw palmetto has insufficient evidence for Male sexual dysfunction.
Browse 2 studies·1 meta-analysis
MetaSerenoa repens and its effects on male sexual function. A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials2021
A meta-analysis of 20 studies found Serenoa repens did not significantly worsen male sexual function versus placebo or tamsulosin in BPH trials.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Population
- Men
Clinical trialImproving BPH symptoms and sexual dysfunctions with a saw palmetto preparation? Results from a pilot trial2012
An open 8-week pilot in 82 elderly men with BPH found Prostasan saw palmetto 320 mg/day reduced IPSS from 14.4 to 6.9 and improved sexual function scores versus baseline.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 8 weeks
- Dose
- 320 mg/day
- Population
- Older adults
Vitamin DView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- A small study in women who had both low vitamin D levels and sexual dysfunction found that two vitamin D injections of 300,000 IU each—one given at the start and another four weeks later—improved sexual function after 4 and 8 weeks compared with a placebo.
- Larger studies are needed to confirm these results.
Browse 1 study
RCTEffect of Vitamin D Therapy on Sexual Function in Women with Sexual Dysfunction and Vitamin D Deficiency: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial2019n=38
An RCT in 38 women aged 18–45 with sexual dysfunction and vitamin D deficiency found IM cholecalciferol 300,000 IU at baseline and 4 weeks improved FSFI scores versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 300,000 IU cholecalciferol IM
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 38
- Ages
- 18–45
Vitex agnus-castusView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is uncertain if vitex agnus-castus helps with sexual problems.
- Some studies suggest taking vitex daily for several weeks can slightly improve sexual satisfaction, arousal, and desire in younger women, and can improve sexual problems in older women after 6-8 weeks of use.
- More research is needed to confirm these effects.
Browse 2 studies
RCTVitagnus an estrogen-riched herbal remedy used in sexual dysfunction: A randomized clinical trial2023
In an RCT in postmenopausal women, for 8 weeks, data from Bonferroni post hoc test indicated that the mean total sexual function did not differ between the two groups before and at the end of the fourth week of intervention, but scores of total sexual function showed a significant difference at the end of the sixth ( P = 0/003) and...
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 8 weeks
- Population
- Postmenopausal women
- Ages
- 50–70
RCTThe 4-month effect of Vitex agnus-castus plant on sexual function of women of reproductive age: A clinical trial2021n=51
In an RCT of 51 participants, 4.8 mg/day, for 16 weeks, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to be able to decide on the prescription of this drug in the clinics.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 16 weeks
- Dose
- 4.8 mg/day
- Population
- Postmenopausal women
- Participants
- 51
- Ages
- 15–44
GinkgoView supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Some studies suggest ginkgo may not help female sexual dysfunction when taken alone.
- One study showed that 300 mg daily for 8 weeks did not improve sexual function in women with this condition.
- Another study found a supplement containing ginkgo along with other ingredients improved sexual satisfaction, but it's unclear if ginkgo itself caused the benefit.
- Ginkgo might have mild positive effects on sexual function in postmenopausal women, but more research is needed.
Browse 4 studies
RCTShort- and long-term effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on sexual dysfunction in women2008
In an RCT of women with sexual arousal disorder, a single 300 mg Ginkgo biloba dose modestly increased physiological arousal, but 8 weeks of daily GBE did not improve sexual function versus placebo.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 8 weeks
- Dose
- 300 mg/day
- Population
- Women
RCTTriple-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Ginkgo biloba in sexual dysfunction due to antidepressant drugs2004n=24
In a 12-week triple-blind RCT of 24 patients with antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction, Ginkgo biloba 240 mg/day did not improve sexual function scores versus placebo.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Dose
- 240 mg/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 24
RCTA placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of Ginkgo biloba for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction2002n=19
In a 2-month double-blind RCT of 37 patients with antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction, Ginkgo biloba did not improve sexual function scores versus placebo at weeks 2, 4, or 8.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 2 months
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 19
RCTA double-blind placebo-controlled study of ArginMax, a nutritional supplement for enhancement of female sexual function2001n=77
In a 4-week study of 77 women, ArginMax (ginseng, Ginkgo, damiana, and arginine) improved sexual satisfaction and desire versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 4 weeks
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 77
- Ages
- ≥21
Evidence visualised
Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.
| Supplement | DEX | Studies | Meta-analyses | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ginkgo | ★★★★★36% | 4 | 0 | 21% |
| Maca | ★★★★★64% | 4 | 0 | 21% |
| Ashwagandha | ★★★★★48% | 3 | 0 | 16% |
| L-Carnitine | ★★★★★48% | 3 | 0 | 16% |
| Saw Palmetto | ★★★★★48% | 2 | 1 | 11% |
| Vitex agnus-castus | ★★★★★44% | 2 | 0 | 11% |
| Vitamin D | ★★★★★44% | 1 | 0 | 5% |