Is there a natural remedy for impotence?
You may be wondering if there’s a natural remedy for impotence that works. While there are several natural herbal remedies that are commonly advertised, we must warn that you always need to check with a healthcare provider before taking any herbs or supplements you buy over-the-counter in a store or via mail order. This is so important because researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center recently discovered that hormonal components in over-the-counter dietary supplements may promote the progression of prostate cancer and decrease the effectiveness of anti-cancer drugs. This means that your loved one should always inform his doctor about any herbal or hormonal dietary supplements he is taking, or considering taking, even if it is being advertised as a "natural impotence drug." L-arginine for erection problems One natural remedy for impotence that has actually been studied in limited clinical trials is L-arginine. According to the Mayo Clinic, arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that changes into nitric oxide, which causes blood vessel relaxation (the medical term for this is vasodilation). While some studies have shown that L-arginine may be more effective than placebo (sugar pill) as a natural impotence drug, there have been no clinical trials to date comparing L-arginine to any current prescription drugs for erectile dysfunction. Also in a small but very stringent clinical trial (Klotz et al) of 32 men, oral L-arginine (500 mg) taken three times a day was not shown to be more effective than placebo for mixed-type impotence. In another small study of 40 men (Stanislavov & Nikolova), when L-arginine was combined with Pycnogenol® (the patented trade name for a water extract of the bark of the French maritime pine), the study investigators reported that there was improvement in sexual function. However, large scale human clinical studies are needed to thoroughly evaluate the safety and efficacy of each natural remedy for impotence. Particularly since Pycnogenol® may lower blood sugar levels, may interact with other blood pressure lowering medications, may interfere with immunosuppressant or immunostimulant drugs, and may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with herbs and supplements that are believed to increase the risk of bleeding. You should also know that L-arginine can cause stomach problems, lower blood pressure, change levels of certain chemical and electrolytes in the body and may increase the risk of bleeding. Other compounds promoted as "natural impotence drugs" Some have touted yohimbine as a natural remedy for impotence. Yohimbine is derived from the bark of a tree found in West Africa. In a meta-analysis (which is review of available studies), there was some evidence that yohimbine was more effective than placebo. However, like L-arginine, stringent human clinical trials are needed to determine if yohimbine holds true promise as a therapeutic option for erectile dysfunction. Large doses of yohimbine can raise blood pressure and heart rate and may lead to kidney failure. Other side effects can include nausea, nervousness, sleeplessness, and dizziness. Another supposed natural remedy for impotence that has gotten attention is panax ginseng (also called Asian ginseng). In one small clinical trial, panax ginseng was shown to be more effective than placebo after eight weeks of treatment. Side effects of ginseng can include allergic reactions, headache, stomach problems, lowered blood sugar, and increased blood pressure. In his review article in Alternative Medicine Review, Douglas MacKay concludes that L-arginine, yohimbine, panax ginseng, and other substances such as ginkgo biloba and maca root may offer some benefit and should be studied further, however, he cautions that each natural remedy for impotence is “far from providing a ‘magic bullet’ or cure for erectile dysfunction.” He also cautions (and we agree) that you should not be fooled by unsubstantiated claims made by manufacturers of any natural remedy for impotence. Again, we cannot stress enough that your loved one should NEVER try a natural remedy for impotence without first checking with a healthcare professional. 10/11 Search Our Site  Custom Search Back to sex after prostate cancer Return from natural remedy for impotence to homepage References: Kernohan AF, McIntyre M, Hughes DM, Tam SW, Worcel M, Reid JL. An oral yohimbine/L-arginine combination (NMI 861) for the treatment of male erectile dysfunction: a pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and interaction study with intravenous nitroglycerine in healthy male subjects. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2005;59(1):85-93. Klotz T, Mathers MJ, Braun M, Bloch W, Engelmann U. Effectiveness of oral L-arginine in first-line treatment of erectile dysfunction in a controlled crossover study. Urol Int. 1999;63(4):220-3. McKay D. Nutrients and botanicals for erectile dysfunction: examining the evidence. Altern Med Rev. 2004;9(1):4-16. Medline Plus. Pycnogenol® (Pinus pinaster ssp. atlantica). http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-pycnogenol.html. Accessed June 11, 2009. Stanislavov R, Nikolova V. Treatment of erectile dysfunction with pycnogenol and L-arginine. J Sex Marital Ther. 2003;29(3):207-13. 
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