Abstract
This study investigated whether Korean red ginseng (KRG) extracts could improve sexual function in premenopausal women. Forty-one premenopausal women participated in this placebo-controlled, double-blind, and crossover clinical study with administration of either three ginseng capsules (1 g per capsule) or placebo daily. After 8 weeks of medication of KRG or placebo, medication was changed for the subjects to placebo or KRG after 2 weeks of washout period. The efficacy of KRG extracts was measured by using Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Results. Twenty-three women completed the study. Total FSFI scores increased after KRG treatment (from 20.13 ± 2.87 to 23.98 ± 4.10, p = 0.015) and placebo treatment (from 20.06 ± 2.64 to 23.78 ± 3.28, p = 0.003). However, this change was not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.702). KRG treatment significantly improved sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, and satisfaction domains; however, there was no treatment effect compared with placebo. There was a case of gastric discomfort after taking KRG extracts. Oral administration of KRG extracts improved sexual function in premenopausal women; however, there were no statistical significant changes compared to placebo. It implies that KRG extracts have a substantial placebo effect in premenopausal women with sexual dysfunction.
Highlights
Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is prevalent problem which affects approximately 40% of women [1]
While male sexual dysfunctions are often treated with pharmacological agents, FSD still needs further research and clinical trials to find efficacious therapeutic options [4,5,6,7,8,9]
We hypothesized that Korean red ginseng (KRG) may improve sexual function of premenopausal women with FSD
Summary
Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is prevalent problem which affects approximately 40% of women [1]. Korean red ginseng (KRG) (Panax ginseng Meyer) is an herb of the family Araliaceae, which is a slow growing perennial plant with fleshy roots [10]. It grows in cooler climate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and is used as a traditional complementary and alternative medicine [11]. It contains triterpenes ginseng saponins called ginsenosides, which are responsible for its various pharmacological effectiveness, such as anti-inflammatory activity, effects on pulmonary function, and improvement of cognition in Alzheimer’s disease and sexual function [12,13,14,15,16,17]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
