Treatment of erectile dysfunction with pycnogenol and L-arginine
Stanislavov R, Nikolova V
Published in Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy
Methodology
Open-label sequential three-month trial in 40 men; L-arginine alone in month 1, then L-arginine plus escalating Pycnogenol; sexual function questionnaire and sexual activity diary.
Key Findings
40 men aged 25-45 with non-organic erectile dysfunction took L-arginine (as arginyl aspartate, about 1.7 g/day) for month 1, then added 80 mg/day Pycnogenol in month 2 and 120 mg/day in month 3. Only 2 men (5%) reported normal erection after L-arginine alone, a non-significant change; adding Pycnogenol raised this to 80% after month 2 and 92.5% after month 3. No side effects were reported.
Conclusions
Oral administration of L-arginine in combination with Pycnogenol causes a significant improvement in sexual function in men with ED.
Limitations
No placebo group and no randomization; the sequential open-label dose escalation means time and expectancy effects cannot be separated from treatment, and outcomes were self-reported via questionnaire and diary.
Supplements Studied
We conclude that oral administration of L-arginine in combination with Pycnogenol causes a significant improvement in sexual function in men with ED without any side effects.
Oral administration of L-arginine in combination with Pycnogenol causes a significant improvement in sexual function in men with ED.
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Study Details
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