Enhance Female Sexual Health and Libido

Female sexual health issues affect about 40% to 50% of all women.^1-3

Frequent concerns include low sexual desire, physical discomfort, and reduced pleasure.^1,2,4,5

Many women are uncomfortable mentioning these concerns to healthcare providers, and current available medical treatments are limited and not appropriate for all women.⁶

Plant-based solutions for sexual health concerns are available for women seeking alternatives.

Scientists have developed two standardized botanical extracts clinically shown to support female sexual function:

• Fenugreek seed extract increased sex hormone levels, arousal, and more than doubled the frequency of sexual activity in women in stable relationships.⁷
• Saffron extract improved scores in sexual function measures, including desire and satisfaction, by 62% from baseline in a study of married women.⁸

The two extracts have been studied separately and promote healthy sexual function in different ways.^7,8

Sexual Dysfunction in Women

Women of all ages may have sexual health issues.²

A meta-analysis of 95 observational studies conducted across the globe found that 41% of younger (premenopausal) women struggle with sexual health issues.⁹

One of the most commonly reported concerns is low desire or libido.¹⁰

In one U.S. study, about 27% of premenopausal women and 52% of menopausal women reported low sexual desire.¹¹

Female sexual function is impacted by complex interactions among:

• Sex hormones, including estrogen and testosterone,¹²
• Medical conditions, including diabetes, thyroid disorders, and other chronic ailments,^13-15
• Medications, such as antidepressants, beta blockers, opioids, and birth control pills,^16-18
• The autonomic (involuntary) nervous system that regulates sexual responses,¹⁹ and
• Mental outlook, such as depression, anxiety, stress, and fatigue.^20,21

Changes in these factors may contribute to concerns with sexual desire, lubrication, and relationship satisfaction.³

Hormones and Female Sexual Health

Estrogen (particularly a form known as estradiol) and testosterone play key roles in female sexual health.

When estrogen levels drop during menopause, vaginal dryness and discomfort are more likely.^22,23

Testosterone also plays a significant role in vaginal lubrication and sexual desire in women.^24,25

Testosterone levels decline steadily across adulthood, including the premenopausal years, which may contribute to reduced sexual desire.^24,26

Some birth control pills also lower testosterone levels.^27,28

Fenugreek Supports Healthy Sexual Desire

The herb fenugreek is listed as an aphrodisiac in ancient Indian Ayurvedic medical texts.²⁹

Fenugreek is rich in saponins, compounds that are believed to be responsible for its effects.^30,31

Scientists have developed a fenugreek seed extract standardized to contain at least 50% saponins.⁷

In a clinical trial, 80 healthy women (ages 20 to 49) in stable relationships but with a low sex drive took 300 mg of this standardized fenugreek extract or a placebo twice daily for eight weeks.⁷

The results were stunning.

Those taking fenugreek reported significant improvements across all five domains measured on a recognized sexual function questionnaire. These domains include sexual thoughts, arousal, activity, orgasm, and drive/relationship, compared to placebo.⁷

Overall, those taking fenugreek increased their frequency of sexual activity from one or two times per month to once per week.

These sexual health improvements in the fenugreek group corresponded with statistically significant increases in estradiol levels (66%) and in free (biologically active) testosterone levels (24%). These improvements are based on mean changes reported in the study, in women with hormone levels within the normal range.

Sexual function measures improved a similar amount in women using birth control pills and in those who were not.⁷

Saffron Supports Sexual Arousal

Saffron, which comes from flowers of the Crocus sativus plant, has been studied for multiple components of mood and mental functioning, including sexual function.^32,33

Two of the main beneficial components of saffron are safranal and crocins.³²

Standardized saffron extract was tested in a placebo-controlled trial of 74 married women, ages 18 to 55, with low sexual function.⁸

The treatment group took 15 mg of standardized saffron extract twice daily for six weeks. Compared to baseline, total scores on a recognized sexual function questionnaire improved by 62% at six weeks in the saffron group.

In addition, the saffron group reported improvements in domains related to desire, lubrication, and satisfaction aspects of their sexual relationships, compared to placebo.⁸

Combining fenugreek seed and saffron extracts in an oral formula provides a multipronged approach to supporting female sexual health.

Summary

Sexual health issues, including low desire and reduced enjoyment, are common in women of any age.

Scientists have developed two standardized herbal extracts to support sexual vitality and desire.

Fenugreek seed extract has been clinically found to improve sexual arousal and more than doubled sexual activity frequency in women in stable relationships.

Saffron extract has been clinically shown to improve desire, lubrication, and sexual satisfaction in women with low sexual function.

These extracts work in different ways to support sexual health.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

References

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