Outcome
    Limited

    Ginkgo Biloba for Sexual Arousal

    Ginkgo is often suggested for SSRI-related sexual dysfunction, but controlled trials disappointed.

    Overview

    Ginkgo is often suggested for SSRI-related sexual dysfunction, but controlled trials disappointed.

    Verdict

    Insufficient evidence

    How It Works

    Increases peripheral blood flow and may modulate nitric oxide signalling.

    Dosing & Protocol

    Typical dose

    Recommended dose
    120-240mg/day if trialled
    Expected timeframe
    8-12 weeks

    Protocol

    form
    Not applicable
    duration
    Not applicable
    co factor
    Evidence is insufficient. Interest came from an open-label case series reporting that ginkgo relieved antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction, with response rates above 80%. When that was tested properly - a randomised, placebo-controlled trial of 240 mg/day standardised extract in women with antidepressant-associated sexual dysfunction - ginkgo was no better than placebo, and the placebo response was large, which explains the original open-label result. No adequate trial supports ginkgo for arousal or sexual function in any other group.
    titration
    Not applicable
    starting dose
    Not applicable as an established treatment

    Evidence

    What the studies say

    Early open-label reports were encouraging, but subsequent placebo-controlled trials found no significant benefit for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction.

    A placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of Ginkgo biloba for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction

    Score: 5/10
    2002
    rct
    n=37

    Kang BJ, Lee SJ, Kim MD +1 more

    This study did not replicate a prior positive finding supporting the use of Ginkgo biloba for antidepressant, especially SSRI, induced sexual dysfunction

    View source

    Safety

    Caveats

    Increases bleeding risk, particularly with anticoagulants and before surgery.

    Less likely to help if

    Everyone: the controlled trial was negative, including in the antidepressant-related group where interest began.

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