Condition
Sexual Dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction means ongoing trouble with sexual desire, arousal, or function, and it can stem from hormonal changes, heart disease, diabetes, antidepressants, or stress. Among supplements, maca has some research behind it, and a small pilot study in sportsmen found their sexual desire went up. That study included only 20 people, so the evidence is limited and it is too early to say who else might see the same.
Sources: PMID 19781622
- Supplements studied
- 4
- Graded outcomes
- 2
- Trials
- 4
- People studied
- 508
Evidence by supplement
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Libido Moderate Increase | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect | 1 study | 20 people | ||
| Sexual Function | Improves (the measure goes up) | 2 studies | 20 people | |||
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood Clotting No effect | NoneNo effect | 1 study | 20 people | |||
Studies that measured blood clotting | ||||||
| Blood glucose | Improves (the measure goes down) | 6 studies | 20 people | |||
Studies that measured blood glucose
| ||||||
| Sexual Function | Improves (the measure goes up) | 2 studies | 173 people | |||
| Triglycerides | Improves (the measure goes down) | 2 studies | 20 people | |||
Studies that measured triglycerides | ||||||
| Hemoglobin | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 20 people | |||
Studies that measured hemoglobin | ||||||
| Hematocrit | Improves (the measure goes up) | 20 people | ||||
| Total cholesterol | Improves (the measure goes down) | 20 people | ||||
| Urea | Improves (the measure goes up) | 20 people | ||||
| White Blood Cell Count | Improves (the measure goes up) | 20 people | ||||
Ginkgo Biloba
- Libido: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Libido | Improves (the measure goes up) | 4 studies | 100 people | |||
Red Clover Extract
- Sexual Function: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sexual Function | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 176 people | |||
Studies that measured sexual function | ||||||
Key findings
- LibidoImproves (the measure goes up)
- Blood Clotting
The Sexual Dysfunction General Support protocol
2 primary supplements · 7 supporting supplements
- Maca1,500–3,000 mg dried root or equivalent extract daily
- L-Arginine3–5 g daily
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Studies cited
20 studies from PubMed
- Effects of saffron (Crocus sativus) on sexual dysfunction among men and women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Effect of Crocus sativus L. (saffron) on coagulation and anticoagulation systems in healthy volunteers
- Safety evaluation of saffron (Crocus sativus) tablets in healthy volunteers
- The effect of saffron supplementation on liver and kidney function, blood glucose and pressure in patients with diabetes and prediabetes: A grade assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Effect of Crocus sativus L. (saffron) and crocin in the treatment of patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Effects Of Saffron Supplementation On Inflammation And Metabolic Responses In Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
- Effects of Cinnamon, Cardamom, Saffron, and Ginger Consumption on Markers of Glycemic Control, Lipid Profile, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetes Patients
- The effect of hydroalcoholic Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) extract on fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile, liver, and renal function tests in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized double-blind clinical trial
- Effects of Crocus sativus on glycemic control and cardiometabolic parameters among patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Saffron for treatment of fluoxetine-induced sexual dysfunction in women: randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study
- The effect of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) hydroalcoholic extract on metabolic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A triple-blinded randomized clinical trial
- Saffron and crocin improved appetite, dietary intakes and body composition in patients with coronary artery disease
- Beneficial effects of natural products on female sexual dysfunction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- A double-blind, randomized, pilot dose-finding study of maca root (L. meyenii) for the management of SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction
- A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of maca root as treatment for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction in women
- A pilot investigation into the effect of maca supplementation on physical activity and sexual desire in sportsmen
- A placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of Ginkgo biloba for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction
- Short- and long-term effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on sexual dysfunction in women
- Triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Ginkgo biloba in sexual dysfunction due to antidepressant drugs
- Ginkgo biloba for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction