Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Volume 2015 (2015), Article ID 913158, 5 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/913158

Ho Seok Chung, Insang Hwang, Kyung Jin Oh, Mi Na Lee, and Kwangsung Park

Department of Urology, Chonnam National University, 671 Jebongno, Donggu, Gwangju 61469, Republic of Korea

Abstract

This study investigated whether Korean red ginseng (KRG) extracts could improve sexual function in premenopausal women. Forty-one premenopausal women participated in this placebo-controlled, double-blind, and crossover clinical study with administration of either three ginseng capsules (1 g per capsule) or placebo daily. After 8 weeks of medication of KRG or placebo, medication was changed for the subjects to placebo or KRG after 2 weeks of washout period. The efficacy of KRG extracts was measured by using Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Results. Twenty-three women completed the study. Total FSFI scores increased after KRG treatment (from  to , ) and placebo treatment (from  to , ). However, this change was not significantly different between the two groups (). KRG treatment significantly improved sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, and satisfaction domains; however, there was no treatment effect compared with placebo. There was a case of gastric discomfort after taking KRG extracts. Oral administration of KRG extracts improved sexual function in premenopausal women; however, there were no statistical significant changes compared to placebo. It implies that KRG extracts have a substantial placebo effect in premenopausal women with sexual dysfunction.