Yohimbe Bark for Men and Women’s Sex Drive & More

Yohimbe bark supplements are considered to be effective for enhancing libido, in both men and women. Yohimbe is an evergreen tree in found in Central and Western Africa, where it has been used for hundreds of years as an aphrodisiac.

The bark of this tree is a source of the chemical alkaloid yohimbine, which has been approved for use in the treatment of Erectile Dysfunction by the FDA. As a prescription medication, it is sold in the form Yohimbine HCL, with the trade name Yocon.

However, its use as a pharmaceutical treatment for ED has largely been replaced by Viagara and other PDE-5 inhibitor medications, partially due to the better safety record of these drugs compared to yohimbine.

Men and women commonly buy yohimbe bark supplements as a non-prescription alternative for boosting libido and sexual performance. It is also used for weight loss and as a bodybuilding aid.

Yohimbine

Herbal Supplement

Weight Loss

Energy

Libido

How It Works:

• Helps promote fat loss
• Increases energy & suppresses appetite
• Promotes sex drive & performance

Dosage:

Between 5-50 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Unsafe

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Yohimbe Bark for Men

The benefits of yohimbe extract for men include improved erectile function and increased sex drive. This supplement has been shown to improve symptoms of psychogenic erectile dysfunction, though it may not be as effective as PDE-5 inhibitor medications for organic ED.

According to the Natural Medicines Database, yohimbe bark has not been studied for its effects on impotence or sexual dysfunction. However, yohimbine which is a component of yohimbe extract, has been studied and is considered effective.

In one double-blind research study, 48 male subjects with psychogenic impotence were given either a placebo or 18 mg of yohimbine a day to improve erectile function. The trial continued for 10 weeks and used a partial crossover design.

At the end of the first leg of the trial, 62% of those given yohimbine reported an improvement in sexual function compared to only 18% given the placebo.

A meta-analysis of seven studies on yohimbine for ED concluded, “The benefit of yohimbine medication for erectile dysfunction seems to outweigh its risks. Therefore, yohimbine is believed to be a reasonable therapeutic option for erectile dysfunction that should be considered as initial pharmacological intervention.”

However, one study found that high doses of yohimbine hydrochloride were not effective for organic erectile dysfunction in men. The study involved 22 patients with organic ED, with an average age of 58 years.

Participants were given a single daily dose of 100 mg of oral yohimbine and then evaluated on different metrics such as penile rigidity. There was no statistically significant difference between the participants given yohimbine and those given a placebo.

The study also reported side effects including, “anxiety, increase in cardiac frequency, increased urinary output and headache.” However, they said that no participants stopped taking the supplement due to side effects.

Yohimbe for Female Sex Drive

In addition to potentially improving sexual function in men, this supplement is also used in women to boost sexual enjoyment and libido.

Yohimbe bark extract is known to increase genital sensitivity in women and is anecdotally said to increase the ability to achieve an orgasm.

It increases stimulation of nerves in the sacral area and improves blood flow to the genitals, which can make women more sensitive to touch and improve sex drive. It is most effective when taken immediately before sex.

One study on yohimbine for women’s libido published in the International Journal of Impotence Research showed improved sexual desire and performance in women. Female participants reported increased frequency of sexual contacts, sexual desire and sexual satisfaction.

Yohimbe for Male and Female Bodybuilders

Yohimbe bark extract is also used as a bodybuilding supplement for both men and women. Many athletes take it as a pre-workout supplement to enhance performance.

Some bodybuilders take yohimbine during cutting cycle to achieve a lower percentage of body fat. While there is little evidence to support the use of yohimbe for muscle building benefits, there is evidence that it can promote fat loss results.

The yohimbine alkaloid antagonizes pre-synaptic alpha-2-adrenoreceptors, which results in higher levels of the hormone norepinephrine being released into the blood. This hormone promotes the breakdown of stored fats, which can speed up fat loss results as part of a diet and exercise program.

A clinical study was performed to assess yohimbine’s benefits on the body composition and exercise performance in professional soccer players. Prior to the study, researchers measured participants’ muscle mass, body mass and exercise performance indicators, such as dribbling tests, bench presses and vertical jumps.

A group of 20 players was divided into an experimental group and placebo group. In the experimental group, participants were given 20 mg of yohimbine HCL twice a day for 21 days.

There was no statistical difference in performance or muscle mass, but there was an increased percentage in body fat loss with those given the yohimbine treatment. The results suggest that yohimbe bark could help male and female bodybuilders lose fat in a cutting cycle.

It is sometimes used in an ECY stack for fat loss, which stands for ephedrine, caffeine and yohimbe in a supplemental stack. The standard dosage for an ECY stack is 20 mg of ephedrine, 200 ms of caffeine and 5 mg of yohimbine.

However, many bodybuilders warn that the risk of side effects from a ECY stack is too high to warrant its use. Some people are particularly sensitive to this combination and can experience dangerous outcomes, such as elevated or irregular heart rate, dizziness, fainting, nausea and more.

Yohimbe Dosage for Men and Women

Yohimbe dosage requirements for men and women are different; men can typically tolerate a higher dose of this supplement than women. However, some men may be more sensitive to this compound even at low doses.

To determine the appropriate dose of yohimbe bark extract for you, it is important to first consult with a doctor. Your doctor can help you decide whether this supplement is safe for you to take or whether there is a reason you should not use it.

The correct dose of yohimbe extract to take will be determined by the concentration of yohimbine alkaloids in the product you are using. Some products may contain a higher amount of yohimbine than others.

Instead of comparing dosages for raw yohimbe bark extract, look at the effective dosage of yohimbine alkaloids.

For men, a daily dose of between 5 – 20 mg of yohimbine is typically used. This dose is generally split into one to three administrations per day.

For women, a dose of 2 – 10 mg of yohimbine per day is common. As a sexual performance aid, this dose is typically taken about 30 minutes prior to sexual activity.

In all cases, start with half the lowest recommended dose to gauge your individual tolerance. Some people can experience serious side effects when they first use yohimbine, including elevated blood pressure, mood disruptions, dizziness, nausea, headaches, anxiety and increased perspiration.

In research trials, yohimbine has been used safely for up to 10 weeks at a time under medical supervision. However, the Natural Medicines Database rates its use as a dietary supplement as Possibly Unsafe.

Excess dosages of yohimbe bark extract have been associated with cardiac arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, seizure and more. In two cases, yohimbine toxicity has resulted in a fatality.

The risk of side effects is elevated if combining yohimbe extract with certain medications or supplements. Check with a doctor before you take yohimbe bark extract for male or female libido, weight loss or bodybuilding to determine whether this supplement is safe for you.

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