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Cited by 15Sexual function and dysfunction studiesSexuality, Behavior, and TechnologyUrinary Bladder and Prostate Research

Systematic Review of l-Arginine for the Treatment of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder and Related Conditions in Women

Open access
Cieri-Hutcherson, Nicole E., Jaenecke, Andrea, Bahia, Ajeet, Lucas, Debra, Oluloro, Ann, Stimmel, Lora, Hutcherson, Timothy C.·2021·Pharmacy
DOI 10.3390/pharmacy9020071PMC PMC8103282
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Abstract

This systematic review evaluates the efficacy and safety of l-arginine alone or in combination for the treatment of women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) or related conditions, such as female sexual interest/arousal disorder and female sexual arousal disorder. Medline, Embase, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Science Direct, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched using keywords “arginine”, “Lady Prelox”, “ArginMax”, “Stronvivo”, “Ristela”, “hypoactive sexual desire disorder”, “female sexual interest arousal disorder”, “female sexual arousal disorder”, “sexual dysfunction”, “sexual behavior”, “dyspareunia”, “libido”, and permutations thereof. Relevant records were retained if they were primary literature, conducted in women with HSDD or related conditions, and published as full text in English. Five randomized controlled trials and two nonrandomized studies met eligibility criteria. Six of the seven studies reported either an increase in the total mean Female Sexual Function Index score or significant increases in multiple domains therein. One study assessed vaginal pulse amplitude and found a statistically significant increase in a combination treatment group compared to placebo. No significant side effects were reported. Four of seven studies had potential risk-of-bias concerns per Cochrane assessments. This systematic review found that combination products containing l-arginine in the form of ArginMax or Lady Prelox may be considered for the treatment of HSDD and related conditions in women regardless of age.

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Crossref · 10.3390/pharmacy9020071

Cites

37 of 37 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • ArginMax can be effective in the treatment of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder and Related Conditions in Women.

    “In a systematic review in 2021, it was found that the compound containing L-arginine called ArginMax can be effective in the treatment of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder and Related Conditions in Women.”

    From Effect of l-arginine compared to placebo on sexual function in women with major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial (2024) · cites this paper as [39]

  • The lack of statistical significance of adding L-arginine on sexual performance may be due to lower doses compared to most other studies.

    “In addition to SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction, the lack of statistical significance of the addition of L-arginine on sexual performance despite the improvement of the FSFI score in the L-arginine group may be that in terms of its lower doses compared to most of the other studies [39].”

    From Effect of l-arginine compared to placebo on sexual function in women with major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial (2024) · cites this paper as [39]

    The Discussion (page unavailable) reports that reviewed studies used l-arginine in combination therapies, making its individual effects difficult to assess. It does not suggest that a lower dose explains a nonsignificant sexual-performance result; searches for dose-dependent effects and SSRI-related sexual dysfunction found no such explanation in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.73)

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Cites

1 retracted

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. [33]ConsumerLab.com L-Arginine Supplements Review. ConsumerLab.com 19 10 2019 Available online: https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/l-arginine-supplements-review/arginine/ (accessed on 7 December 2020)
  2. [35]Newell C. Anderson L. Phillipson J. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals The Pharmaceutical Press London, UK 1996

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Authors
Cieri-Hutcherson, N. E., Jaenecke, A., Bahia, A., Lucas, D., Oluloro, A., Stimmel, L., & Hutcherson, T. C.
Affiliations
  • Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
  • D'Youville University (US)
  • University at Buffalo, State University of New York (US)
ORCID
Venue
Pharmacy
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2021-03-27
Volume
9
Issue
2
Pages
71
ISSN
2226-4787 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/pharmacy9020071
PMC
PMC8103282
OpenAlex
W3149673113
Cited by
15
References
37
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 1
FWCI
0.40
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Pharmacy (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Urology › Urinary Bladder and Prostate Research
Keywords
L-arginine, hypoactive sexual desire disorder, female sexual interest/arousal disorder, female sexual arousal disorder, female sexual dysfunction, sexual desire, combination therapy, Female Sexual Function Index, vaginal pulse amplitude, dyspareunia, treatment efficacy, drug safety

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