Clinical Trial: Ginkgo Biloba: Antidepressant-Induced Sexual Dysfunction

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Ginkgo Biloba: Antidepressant-Induced Sexual Dysfunction

Brief Summary: The purpose of this study is to provide the first empirical examination of the effects of Ginkgo biloba (GBE), sex therapy, and a combination of the two on subjective and physiological measures of sexual function in women who are experiencing sexual disorders secondary to antidepressants.

Detailed Summary: Virtually all antidepressant medications are associated with a high incidence of adverse sexual side effects. In women, the side effects most commonly reported include decreased sexual arousal with decreased lubrication, delayed or inhibited orgasm, and decreased sexual desire. To date, there are no effective pharmacological antidotes for treating these sexual side effects. Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), a naturally occurring substance from the ancient Chinese Ginkgo tree, has properties proven to increase peripheral blood flow and to facilitate the relaxation of smooth muscle tissue. Its effectiveness in this regard has been demonstrated in numerous clinical trials that show gingko biloba to be highly efficient in treating peripheral vascular disorders. Female sexual arousal involves a complex interplay of these very actions - the relaxation of smooth muscle tissue and the inflow of blood to the genital region. Hence, pharmacologically, it is feasible that GBE may be effective in enhancing female sexual arousal. Moreover, given that the mechanisms hypothesized to facilitate female sexual function are operative at a peripheral rather than a central (i.e., neurotransmitter) level, it is unlikely that GBE would adversely impact the mood-alleviating therapeutic effects of antidepressant medications that are believed to be centrally mediated. Limited, uncontrolled studies lend support to this hypothesis. The purpose of the present study is to provide the first empirical examination of the effects of both acute and chronic GBE on subjective and physiological measures of sexual function in women who are experiencing clinically diagnosable hypoactive sexual desire disorder, female sexual arousal disorder, and/or inhibited female orgasm secondary to either to fluoxetine, sertraline, or paroxetine use. Women (N = 110) stabilized on antidepressant medication and free of a current Axis I disorder will be randomized to 8 weeks of daily treatment with either GBE (200 mg) or placeb
Sponsor: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

Current Primary Outcome:

Original Primary Outcome:

Current Secondary Outcome:

Original Secondary Outcome:

Information By: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

Dates:
Date Received: April 19, 2002
Date Started: June 2002
Date Completion: September 2004
Last Updated: August 17, 2006
Last Verified: July 2006