Systematic Review of l-Arginine for the Treatment of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder and Related Conditions in Women

Abstract

This systematic review evaluates the efficacy and safety of l-arginine alone or in combination for the treatment of women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) or related conditions, such as female sexual interest/arousal disorder and female sexual arousal disorder. Medline, Embase, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Science Direct, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched using keywords “arginine”, “Lady Prelox”, “ArginMax”, “Stronvivo”, “Ristela”, “hypoactive sexual desire disorder”, “female sexual interest arousal disorder”, “female sexual arousal disorder”, “sexual dysfunction”, “sexual behavior”, “dyspareunia”, “libido”, and permutations thereof. Relevant records were retained if they were primary literature, conducted in women with HSDD or related conditions, and published as full text in English. Five randomized controlled trials and two nonrandomized studies met eligibility criteria. Six of the seven studies reported either an increase in the total mean Female Sexual Function Index score or significant increases in multiple domains therein. One study assessed vaginal pulse amplitude and found a statistically significant increase in a combination treatment group compared to placebo. No significant side effects were reported. Four of seven studies had potential risk-of-bias concerns per Cochrane assessments. This systematic review found that combination products containing l-arginine in the form of ArginMax or Lady Prelox may be considered for the treatment of HSDD and related conditions in women regardless of age.

Comparative Analysis of Metabolic Compositions and Trace Elements of Inonotus hispidus Mushroom Grown on Five Different Tree Species

“…Amino acids play an important role in the physiological function, especially the essential amino acids, which have extremely important physiological and nutritional significance in the human body and are also one of the important indicators of food nutritional value evaluation. 21 Nucleotides have many important biological functions, such as adenosine triphosphate related to the energy metabolism. In this study, 12 kinds of amino acids and 30 nucleotides were identified in five different I. hispidus mushroom samples ( Table 3 ).…”

Management of Antidepressant Therapy–Induced Sexual Dysfunction in Women

“…Transdermal testosterone may improve SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction in women. 13 The ovaries produce several types of androgens in small amounts, 1 of which is testosterone. The adrenals, skin, and adipose tissue are also sources of androgens in women.…”

“…14 However, low doses are recommended, and cancer screenings are recommended due to testosterone's ability to increase cancer promotion in women with an increased risk of hormone-driven cancers. 13 Side effects may include acne.…”

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in Women: Physiology, Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment

“…The active ingredient in ArginMax, l-arginine, is available on its own from several retailers and could be effective in doses of 800 mg to 2.5 g daily. 76 Zestra is an over-the-counter topical product applied to the vulva prior to intercourse that acts to increase physical arousal in women. Two randomized, placebo-controlled studies show improvement in various domains of sexual function, including desire in women with various subtypes of female sexual dysfunction.…”

“…As such, although some evidence is promising, it is far from conclusive. The active ingredient in ArginMax, l‐arginine, is available on its own from several retailers and could be effective in doses of 800 mg to 2.5 g daily 76 …”