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L-Arginine and Sex

For many women, desire decreases and intercourse becomes more painful as our bodies gear down during the transition to menopause. And while some testosterone still cycles in our bloodstream, when ovulation ceases entirely, the amount is very small and often insufficient to spark desire.

At the same time, the amount of estrogen you produce has been decreasing, which in turn causes vaginal tissues to atrophy. This process takes a long time, but at the beginning of it, you may notice you don’t lubricate as well during sex, you have fewer orgasms, and penetration is uncomfortable. Additionally, you may be sore after sex and have an increase in the number of vaginal and bladder infections. Increased infections and pain during intercourse can be distressing to women and increase their reluctance to have sex.

While the standard medical treatment includes estrogen and testosterone replacement therapy, I have found that the amino acid L-arginine provides the extra edge many women need. Found primarily in protein sources such as red meat, dairy products, eggs, poultry, and fish, L-arginine is used within the body to produce nitric oxide, a gas that naturally inhibits muscle contraction and helps to relax blood vessels. As a result, it helps to promote blood flow and vascular relaxation, and works to make tissues firmer and more elastic. Additionally, the L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway has been shown to be responsible for sexual arousal.

As is unfortunately the case in traditional medicine, most of the research surrounding L-arginine and sex drive has been focused on men. The good news is that the results from these studies have been very promising and have led researchers to wonder about its effectiveness in women.

I can speak to the positive effects L-arginine has on sex drive that I’ve seen in my own practice. In one case, a 38-year old woman began taking this amino acid to help regulate her periods. On a subsequent appointment, she told me that her libido was stronger since she started taking the supplement. Another patient taking L-arginine described an increased intensity during sex, a sensation she attributed to the nutrient.

If you would like to try L-arginine, I recommend taking 1,000 mg, in capsule form, once or twice a day, in combination with 250 mg of B-5 and 250 to 350 mg of choline once a day to promote better blood flow to the pelvic organs and tissue. L-arginine is readily available in most health food stores.

Women taking lysine for a serious herpes infection should avoid supplemental use of L-arginine, as it may counteract any potential benefits of the lysine. Additionally, women with diabetes may want to check with their physicians before using L-arginine, as it may interfere with insulin and carbohydrate metabolism.

I have also found that aerobic exercise and yoga stretches, as well as a healthy diet can enhance sexual desire and performance. Specifically, poor circulation can have a negative effect on sexual desire and performance. Simply taking a 20 to 30 minute walk every day, at a moderate pace, can improve your sex drive. Similarly, a diet loaded with nutrient-rich fresh fruits, vegetables, and L-arginine-rich protein such as salmon, tuna, or trout can go a long way to putting a twinkle in your eye.