Sexual Dysfunction:

Understanding the Problem & Creating a Clean Solution

By Dr. Gordon Chang, Ph.D.

 

Sexual dysfunction is not an isolated problem as it occurs in both men and women.  Some of the common symptoms of sexual dysfunction in women include lack of sexual desire, insufficient lubrication and painful intercourse.  The inability of some women to achieve an orgasm is considered by many sex therapists and the medical profession to be normal.  Furthermore, the lack of sexual desire in women can be related to stress (emotional, mental and physical), illness, changes in hormonal levels and some medical prescription drugs. 

 

In men, symptoms can also include the lack of sexual desire, incapability to get or maintain an erection, and premature ejaculation.  Sexual dysfunction in men can result from disease or illness, clogged arteries, stress (mental, physical and emotional), prescription medications, nerve damage resulting from surgery and other injuries.

 

In cases where the lack of sexual desire can be traced to physical stress caused by overwork, simply taking a vacation will usually resolve the problem whether you are male or female.  Herbs such as Panax ginseng, Siberian ginseng and Ashwagandha are known to be adaptogenic.  This means that these herbs tend to counter the effects produced by stress on the body.  

 

In some instances, the inability to get an erection and a lack of sexual desire in general can be related to a low concentration of the hormone testosterone. There are a number of medicinal herbs that increase testosterone levels.  Examples of these herbs are tribulus terrestris and Epimedium saggitatum (horny goats weed).  Studies have shown that Tribulus terrestris also uncouples testosterone from its bound form to its free form thus increasing the amount of free circulating testosterone, which is responsible for the sexual effects of testosterone.  In addition, herbs such as Dong Quai Ginseng (Panax and Siberian) are also known to affect the female hormonal levels to produce an increase in sexual desire.

When lack of sexual desire results from mental stress, using a herb with calming effects can also lead to an increase in desire.  Herbs in this class include valerian and kava.  Sometimes a glass of wine is sufficient to produce a relaxing effect and thus increase sexual desire.

In men where the inability to get an erection is related to arterial disease several herb have been shown to increase blood flow to the penis by dilating the blood vessels.  One such herb is Ginkgo Biloba.

Every culture has used different substances usually herbs, that have been reputed to have aphrodisiac properties.  These substances usually can lead to an increase in sexual desire but their effectiveness seems to vary between individuals.