Ginkgo Biloba Benefits for Men, Sexual Function and ED

Ginkgo Biloba is a traditional herb used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years. While this herb is most commonly taken to support cognitive function and memory, it has also demonstrated some benefits for men’s sexual health and performance.

Ginkgo leaf extract works as a vasodilator, meaning that it may increase blood flow throughout the body. Supporting circulatory function may have indirect benefits for erectile function, fertility, libido and more.

According to the Natural Medicines Database, some of the uses of Ginkgo Biloba for men include sexual dysfunction, natural aphrodisiac, and as an alternative remedy for erectile dysfunction.

Ginkgo Biloba has not been approved by the FDA for the treatment of Erectile Dysfunction or as a male sexual performance enhancer. However, it has been well-studied for these uses and may have benefits when combined with other ingredients, such as L-Arginine, Ginseng and Zinc.

Ginkgo Biloba

Herbal Supplement

Memory Recall

Cognitive Function

Concentra- tion

How It Works:

• Supports short & long-term memory
• Improves concentration & circulation to brain
• Neuroprotective & anti-oxidant

Dosage:

Between 120 - 360 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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Ginkgo Biloba and Male Sexual Health

More than 18 million men in the United States have erectile dysfunction, according to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, with millions more experiencing problems with libido or other aspects of sexual health.

While erectile dysfunction is perhaps the best-recognized form of male sexual health problems, men may experience a variety of symptoms of sexual dysfunction, including the following:

• Difficulty achieving an erection
• Difficulty maintaining an erection
• Premature ejaculation
• Inhibited or retarded ejaculation, in which ejaculation is slow to occur (or does not occur at all), despite the maintenance of an erection
• Low libido or loss of interest in sex

Viagra (sildenafil citrate) is perhaps the best-known medication to treat male sexual dysfunction, but many men prefer to use natural remedies as an alternative. There is a lot of interest from men in using Ginkgo Biloba and other dietary supplement instead of pharmaceutical alternatives.

An expanding body of scientific research supports the use of Ginkgo biloba for male health. It is not as effective as Viagara or other drugs used to treat this condition, but some do experience improved erectile function when taking this herbal extract.

However, because the FDA has not approved Gingko extract for ED, manufacturers are not allowed to promote Ginkgo supplements for the prevention or treatment of this condition or other forms of sexual dysfunction. This has also limited the amount of available research on this topic.

Ginkgo Biloba Health Benefits for Men

Accumulating research evidence supports the use of Ginkgo biloba for male health and sexual function. Ginkgo supplements have been studied for its effects on several aspects of male sexual performance, including problems with libido, low testosterone levels and erectile dysfunction.

Low libido is characterized by a decreased or total loss of interest in sex. Several scientific studies have explored the effectiveness of Ginkgo biloba for men’s libido.

These studies have specifically looked at the effects of Ginkgo in men with a lack of sex drive caused by the use of anti-depressant medications. A commonly reported side effect of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) drugs used for depression is diminished libido.

In general, these studies support the use of Ginkgo supplements for this purpose, because men who took Ginkgo biloba for several weeks reported an increase in their sexual desire.

Ginkgo Biloba for Testosterone Levels

Low testosterone in men is associated with depressed mood, low libido, altered sleep patterns, erectile dysfunction, weight gain, infertility and less body strength.

Research evidence in non-human animal studies suggests that Ginkgo biloba may increase testosterone levels, although more studies are needed in this area.

Studies have also shown that Ginkgo biloba extract can reduce levels of cortisol – a stress hormone that acts as an antagonist at testosterone receptors in the body. By controlling cortisol levels, this herb may have an indirect effect on testosterone.

However, human research trials are needed to rate the efficacy of Ginkgo biloba for boosting testosterone levels in men. This has not yet been examined in any human-based clinical studies.

Ginkgo Biloba for Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) may be caused by low testosterone, or it may be caused by other physical or psychological factors. ED is often linked to poor circulatory efficacy.

Using supplements that boost nitric oxide synthesis may help to promote improved penile circulation, by promoting vasodilation throughout the body. In one 2004 study, Ginkgo was shown to significantly raise nitric oxide levels.

Taking Ginkgo biloba for ED has been found to improve the quality and duration of a man’s erection in one study. More research is needed to determine whether using Ginkgo biloba for ED treatment is superior to other medications.

Compared to the number of studies investigating the effectiveness of Ginkgo biloba for men’s libido, fewer studies have explored Ginkgo mechanisms for ED.

Most researchers in this area link the effectiveness of Ginkgo biloba to its circulatory system-promoting properties. Ginkgo biloba improves blood flow through the body, including the blood flow to the penis.

This may explain how Ginkgo biloba works for ED, as it facilitates the blood flow needed to achieve and maintain an erection. However, more research is needed to rate the efficacy of Ginkgo for men’s sexual performance and ED.

Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba vs. Viagra

Many consumers want to know how the effects of Ginkgo compare to those of the prescription medication, Viagara. Viagara is a PDE5 inhibitor, which works to enhance the effects of Nitric Oxide as a vasodilator. It has a high rate of success when used to treat erectile dysfunction.

When evaluating the effectiveness of Ginkgo biloba vs. Viagra, it is difficult to make a direct comparison as no known clinical trials have compared the two. These compounds also have different mechanisms of action. The supplement Horny Goat Weed has a mechanism of action that makes it more similar to Viagara.

Ginkgo biloba is often touted as a natural alternative to Viagra, but it has not been approved by the FDA for this application.

Given the research evidence demonstrating the benefits of Ginkgo biloba for men, many patients choose Ginkgo because it is natural and has a relatively low side-effect profile. However, it is best to consult a medical professional when choosing between Ginkgo biloba vs. Viagra or another medication for sexual dysfunction.

Ginkgo Biloba Dosage for Men

Because the FDA has not approved Ginkgo Biloba as a drug for male sexual performance, no standard recommendations for dosages of Ginkgo biloba exists for men experiencing problems with sexual health.

Different research studies have used different clinical doses when investigating these problems. Dosages used in clinical research range from 60 mg daily to 300 mg daily. Your doctor may advise you as to the appropriate dosage of Ginkgo biloba with your specific sexual health problems.

Given that sexual dysfunction often is a chronic problem for men, it may be necessary to take Ginkgo biloba over months or even years. Studies investigating the use of Ginkgo biloba for men’s libido have lasted up to 18 months.

There is no evidence as to the long-term health benefits of Ginkgo biloba for men, but other studies have shown no ill effects of the supplement for up to six years of continuous usage.

Side Effects of Ginkgo Biloba for Men

Most patients using Ginkgo biloba for male health problems find they generally can tolerate it well. In some cases, patients may develop headaches, upset stomach, dizziness or mild depression.

More serious problems, such as cardiovascular events or seizure activity, are very rare, but possible. Because Ginkgo biloba may lower seizure threshold, patients with epilepsy should not take this supplement.

Ginkgo biloba may interact with other medications or supplements. Talk to your doctor about the benefits of Ginkgo biloba for men with your health background if you are also taking antidepressants, anticoagulants, anticonvulsants, anti-diabetes medications or omeprazole.

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