Damiana for the treatment of female sexual interest/arousal disorder (FSIAD) – Results of a multicentre non-interventional study

Damiana (Turnera diffusa) is a widely used aphrodisiac with more than 300 years of application experience [1]. In Germany, Damiana extracts are the only pharmaceutical therapy option for Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (FSIAD; ICD-10 Code: F52.22). However, there is still lack of clinical data regarding Damianas use in FSIAD.

This multicenter non-interventional study was conducted to gain further insights into the effectiveness and tolerability of a herbal medicinal product, containing Damiana leaf dry extract, in the treatment of FSIAD. 70 patients with FSIAD (according to diagnosis criteria A and B of the DSM-5 [2]), were enrolled by six privately practicing gynecologists. The application period was eight weeks, followed by a four-week follow-up period.

Patients who finished the study (n=35, 46.1±10.9 years) showed a significant increase in Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-d, p<0.01). The score of the Female Sexual Distress Scale – Revised (FSDS-R) decreased significantly (p<0.01) while quality of life (measured by Münchner Lebensqualitäts-Dimensionen Liste (MLDL)) tended to increase.

We were able to show, that in patients with FSIAD, the Damiana extract contributes to the individual symptoms as well as to the experienced mental distress, respectively.

Publication History

Article published online:
13 December 2021

• References

• 1 Bauer R. ZPT 2017; 38:275-80
• 2 American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5). 2015 (German Version)