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06.05.2025

Two grams of L-arginine per day improves women's sexual functioning

L-arginine supplementation improves sexuality in depressed women using SSRIs, according to a small trial published in BMC Psychiatry in 2024.

Study
Pharmacologists at the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Iran experimented with 32 depressed women who were treated with SSRIs.

SSRIs increase the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain and could therefore alleviate depression, according to the pharmaceutical industry. However, more and more psychiatrists are questioning whether this is really the case - and are expressing concern about the side effects of these drugs.

Many antidepressants have a negative impact on sexuality. This also applies to depression itself.

The Iranians divided the women into 2 groups. They treated the women in one group with SSRIs and a placebo, while the women in the other group took a supplement containing 1 gram of arginine 2 times a day in addition to SSRIs. The researchers used a product from Jalinous Pharmaceutical Company.

Results
After 8 weeks of supplementation, the score on the Female Sexual Function Index was higher in the experimental group than before, but this increase was not significant. However, the increase in orgasm intensity and the improvement in lubrication were significant in the women who received L-arginine.

Click on the table below for a larger version.

Conclusion
"With little side effects reported, supplementing with L-arginine may enhance mood and sexual function, especially lubrication and orgasm, in women experiencing depression", write the researchers.

"Future studies investigate the effect of higher doses, longer durations, and larger populations of depressed patients are warranted to solidify these findings."

Source:
BMC Psychiatry. 2024 May 14;24(1):358.

More:
Supplement with Pycnogenol and L-arginine improves sexual functioning in men 06.12.2023
Piceatannol makes L-arginine a more effective nitrogen monoxide donor 12.09.2013
Mix of propionyl-L-carnitine and L-arginine improves erection 15.12.2011
Recipe for a sex supplement (with L-arginine) that works 09.10.2011
Study: erection supplement with L-arginine and pycnogenol works (slightly) 02.09.2011

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