Sexual Desire

Sexual Desire – Supplements and the Science – I / V
Adopted from WBMD

Got bedroom troubles? Waning sexual desire or erection problems are very common. Maybe you've been tempted to try ginseng, gingko, and similar supplements. There's no lack of products out there.

What arethese supplements? Do they live up to their promises? Are there any studies showing they work? Do they have bad side effects? Are they worth the cash? Is a romantic bath for two a better solution?

Getting Sex Supplement Advice

For advice on women's supplements, we turned to Hilda Hutcherson, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University Medical Center, and author of the book Sex and Pleasure: A Woman's Guide to Getting the Sex You Want and Need and Deserve.

The supplements are generally harmless, she tells WebMD. She has found that herbal oils and supplements do seem to help some women having trouble with sexual desire and vaginal dryness. Yet she always advises talking to your doctor before taking any supplements -- as some have dangerous side effects.

We also spoke with Christopher Saigal, MD, assistant professor of urology at UCLA School of Medicine, about men's supplements -- mostly for erectile dysfunction (ED). He's got an open mind about supplements that mimic Viagra, but he's also got definite opinions.

If you're buying an off-the-shelf supplement, the quality is worth questioning, Saigal says. "There is so much fraud in this industry," Saigal tells WebMD. "Go to a site that evaluates the contents, like Consumerlab.com. One evaluation of ginseng showed that half the brands had contaminants like pesticides. So buyer beware. Look for high-quality products."