Posted by Larry Hoover on May 30, 2003, at 13:08:03
In reply to Question for Lar H. -- GB, posted by 2sense on May 30, 2003, at 12:02:04
> Hi Lar --
>
> Research has been done w/ gingko to reverse sexual side effects of ssri's and ad's like them. This is one paper I've come across and would like first your opinion and input. Then if you would be kind enough ... may I ask if the sexual side effects can be reversed (ref. paper) after 4 weeks on GB @240 mg/day, does it follow if one take the GB @240 mg/day for 4 weeks and *then* starts the 'offending' ad, will the sexual side effects never develop. I'm sure these inverse hypothesis is wishful thinking. I read some info regarding Claritin.
>
> I look forward to hearing from you and anyone else who can provide info.Happy to oblige. :-)
The generic answer is that prophylaxis is easier than treatment; it takes less substantial intervention to prevent an adverse event than it does to reverse it, after it has fully developed.
I don't believe that it would be necessary to take the ginkgo for four weeks to achieve the desired outcome (given that you don't yet know if ginkgo *can* work for you, we're dealing with speculation). I don't think you'd need to do more than take it at the same time as the antidepressant.
You may also want to consider a proprietary formulation.
J Sex Marital Ther 2001 Oct-Dec;27(5):541-9
A double-blind placebo-controlled study of ArginMax, a nutritional supplement for enhancement of female sexual function.Ito TY, Trant AS, Polan ML.
University of Hawaii, School of Medicine, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
This study was open to women over the age of 21 years with an interest in improving their sexual function. Of the 77 participants, 34 received ArginMax and 43 received a placebo. ArginMax for Women is a proprietary nutritional supplement consisting of extracts of ginseng, ginkgo, and damiana, L-arginine, multivitamins, and minerals. After 4 weeks, 73.5% of the ArginMax group improved in satisfaction with their overall sex life, compared with 37.2% of the placebo group (p < 0.01). Notable improvements were also observed in sexual desire, reduction of vaginal dryness, frequency of sexual intercourse and orgasm, and clitoral sensation. No significant side effects were noted.
I don't know which article you were referring to, but I've come across both positive (open trial) and negative (double-blind) reports of GB efficacy.J Sex Marital Ther 1998 Apr-Jun;24(2):139-43
Comment in:
J Sex Marital Ther. 1999 Jan-Mar;25(1):1-2.
J Sex Marital Ther. 1999 Jan-Mar;25(1):2-5.Ginkgo biloba for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction.
Cohen AJ, Bartlik B.
University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
In an open trial ginkgo biloba, an extract derived from the leaf of the Chinese ginkgo tree and noted for its cerebral enhancing effects, was found to be 84% effective in treating antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction predominately caused by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs, N = 63). Women (n = 33) were more responsive to the sexually enhancing effects of ginkgo biloba than men (N = 30), with relative success rates of 91% versus 76%. Ginkgo biloba generally had a positive effect on all 4 phases of the sexual response cycle: desire, excitement (erection and lubrication), orgasm, and resolution (afterglow). This study originated from the observation that a geriatric patient on ginkgo biloba for memory enhancement noted improved erections. Patients exhibited sexual dysfunction secondary to a variety of antidepressant medications including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs), serotonin and nonrepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRIs) monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOIs), and tricyclics. Dosages of ginkgo biloba extract ranged from 60 mg qd to 120 mg bid (average = 209mg/d). The common side effects were gastrointestinal disturbances, headache, and general central nervous system activation. The article includes a discussion of presumed pharmacologic mechanisms, including effects on platelet activating factor, prostaglandins, peripheral vasodilatation, and central serotonin and norepinephrine receptor factor modulation.
Hum Psychopharmacol 2002 Aug;17(6):279-84
A placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of Ginkgo biloba for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction.
Kang BJ, Lee SJ, Kim MD, Cho MJ.
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Taegu, South Korea. kuhpkbj@knu.ac.kr
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Ginkgo biloba on antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction. The Ginkgo biloba (n=19) and the placebo groups (n=18) were divided; each to be administered with Ginkgo biloba and placebo respectively for 2 months by means of a randomized placebo-controlled, double-blind study. The results of this 2 month trial were: (1) there was no statistical significant difference from the placebo at weeks 2, 4 and 8 after medication; (2) in comparison with baseline, both the Ginkgo biloba group and the placebo group showed improvement in some part of the sexual function, which is suggestive of the importance of the placebo effect in assessing sexual function. This study did not replicate a prior positive finding supporting the use of Ginkgo biloba for antidepressant, especially SSRI, induced sexual dysfunction. Copyright 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:230221
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030530/msgs/230244.html