Women's Sexual Health
Safe natural remedies for women’s sexual health and fertility.
ON THIS PAGE
Introduction
Sexual Health and Fertility
Enjoying our Sexuality
Research
Homeopathy and Women's Sexual Health
Treat Yourself with Homeopathic Remedies
Selection of Homeopathic Remedies:
Sepia, Helonias, Platina, Cimicifuga.
Herbs/Supplements for Women's Sexual Health:
Ashwaganda, Arginine, Maça, Rhodiola, Shatavari.
More Information and Support
Disclaimer
All supplements are taken at your own risk. Always read instructions on any product. Information on this site is not intended in any way as prescription or diagnosis, and is not a substitute for the advice of a doctor or other suitably qualified health professional. If you have a medical condition, or take prescription medication, please seek medical advice. Please read Terms and Conditions before using this website.
Like to Order Supplements?
Viridian Supplements available online here, with 10% discount. One of the best and purest, and made in the UK. For other supplements, see Links or visit your local independent health store - preferable to supermarkets or 'health' chain stores.
Introduction
 Women’s sexual health isn’t something we hear much about. Although women consult doctors, therapists and health care websites far more than men, it’s different when it comes to sexual health.
Men’s sexual health websites and products are increasingly popular. Like me, you probably get a lot of spam emails advertising male products. Any female products? No, I didn’t think so.
Now, I am not about to try to sell you any products to enhance your sex life. I just want to open a discussion, and offer a little information.
If this is an area you don’t want to discuss, or find offensive, I suggest you stop here, and visit a different page!
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Sexual Health and Fertility
Sexual health is not only about pleasure. It also includes fertility. This is one area where both men and women do consult doctors. Unfortunately, many fertility problems are never traced to a medical cause. It is worth looking at alternatives, such as homeopathy, or supplements, which treat the whole person rather than one part. I have personally seen many successes in my own practice.
More on supplements for fertility soon.
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Enjoying our Sexuality
Sex is normal and natural. Sex can be very pleasurable.
There is no obligation to have a high sex drive, or to feel that sexual pleasure is an important aim in life. For some people this is not important. If you are happy as you are, then you don't need any kind of treatment.
Some people are not happy with their sex lives, and feel that things could or should be better. We all have different sex drives, and this is complicated by where and how we grew up. Different cultures, religions and parents impart different beliefs, and not all believe that sex is OK.
Sometimes too, unpleasant life experiences can put us off. Lack of confidence, lack of privacy, or inconsiderate sexual partners, may let us believe pleasurable sex is not for us. Sexual abuse, forced marriage, domestic violence or rape can be very damaging.
The situation may be complicated by physical conditions such as endometriosis, cancer, vaginismus, urinary tract infections, candida/thrush - anything that makes sexual contact uncomfortable.
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Research
.jpg) Good research is very hard to come by, when it comes to our sex lives. Here is just one example: The plant commonly called Maça (Lepidium Meyenii) has quite a reputation for both men and women.
Recommended dosages are around 1000-3000mg day, about a tenth of an ounce. Yet in its native Peru, where this small, hardy, turnip-like plant grows, local people eat on average five pounds of it each week. Are they all sexual superheroes? If they were, I think we would have heard about it.
Most of Maça’s reputation comes from advertising, not facts. (Click to read more about Maça.)
"A lie will fly around the World while Truth is still putting on its pants" a popular saying.
Quantity is not everything of course, just as size is not everything, as any woman knows. My training in classical homeopathy has shown me that the tiniest doses of the right thing can have far-reaching effects. Homeopathy can be helpful with sexual or fertility problems: read more at Homeopathy and Women’s Sexual Health.
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Homeopathy and
Women’s Sexual Health.
Homeopathy is a wonderfully sympathetic treatment for people with sexual or fertility problems. Not only is it personal, supportive and confidential. It also recognizes that everyone has a right to enjoy life to the full, whatever their appearance, age, inclinations or history.
Homeopathy is not judgmental. A remedy is chosen for you individually, matching your personal circumstances, and taking many health issues into account. The more healthy and fulfilled you are as a whole person, the greater the sexual health and fertility you can enjoy. For a taste of one or two homeopathic remedies, read on below.
Online consultations offer maximum privacy, and can be most helpful if you have embarrassing, personal or upsetting issues to discuss, or cannot find a therapist locally.
Read more at:
How does Homeopathy Work
The Homeopathic Consultation
Online Consultations
Women’s Health
Women's Health - Menopause NEW PAGE
Homeopathy in Pregnancy and Childbirth
Pregnancy and Childbirth: Natural Remedies
Homeopathy for Menopause
Men’s Sexual Health
Homeopathy for Men
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Treating Yourself with Homeopathic Remedies
.jpg) Homeopathy is a fantastic system of medicine to use at home for yourself and your family, friends or children. You can safely treat acute problems like colds, mild fevers, headaches, cuts and bruises, or earaches. But when it comes to sexual or fertility issues, people are deep and complicated, and homeopathy is deep and complicated, and it is better to receive treatment from a qualified professional.
Below are outlines of five homeopathic remedies, to give you a flavour of the depth of understanding homeopathic treatment can offer. These are remedies best given under the guidance of a professional homeopath like myself.
All of these remedies might also be used for men.
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Sepia
 This remedy is made from the ink of a cuttlefish. The cuttlefish is a beautiful and delicate sea creature, vulnerable because she has no shell. When under threat she puts up a smoke-screen of ink.
You may think the Sepia woman wants to be alone; in truth she feels threatened by intimacy, and dislikes being alone. She feels so negative and alienated, she cannot give affection, she feels nothing for her family, her partner. Like a sepia photograph, she has no colour left.
It is hard for the Sepia woman to communicate, especially about intimate matters. Sometimes she is overwhelmed by sadness, but she cannot talk about it without crying, and so she dislikes being comforted.
She is irritable, ratty, impatient, and resentful; she is pre-menstrual and has mood swings.
Sepia is a woman feeling out of place and put-upon, knowing there is something better out there. She keeps busy, keeps active, she is often very physical, sporty, loves dancing and feels better for the activity.
Sepia is a good remedy at times of hormone changes, such as puberty, abortion, periods, pregnancy, post-natally, after the pill, and menopause. There is no desire for sex, no orgasm, possibly a history of unwanted sex of some kind.
Physical symptoms include period problems, hot flushes, prolapse, dry vagina, painful intercourse, sensitivity to smell, nausea in pregnancy, constipation and a feeling of a lump remaining in the rectum. Heaviness generally, she feels worn out and sagging.
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Cimicifuga
Also called Actaea Racemosa, this remedy is made from a graceful North American plant with tall spires of white flowers.
A Cimicifuga woman is emotional. Especially she is sad, sighing and weepy, she feels she is in a black cloud. She is especially depressed pre-menstrually or during her period. She feels like running away, she is fed up with looking after other people. She feels trapped, so trapped, she is in a cage. No way out; she may feel suicidal.
She will talk, she will ramble and change the subject, but rarely does she tell it all, she holds back. She is too afraid, she is mistrustful. She does not want to take medicine.
She is so afraid, her feelings are so intense, she will lose control or crack up. And other people may think she is so stable.
A Cimicifuga woman’s periods are intensely painful; the heavier the flow, the more the pain. Cramps, pains down the legs, or in the back. Her womb cannot hold onto babies: repeated miscarriages. Her womb may be displaced or retroverted.
Physical symptoms include stiff neck, achy back, rheumatic pains, chilliness, nausea of pregnancy, slow dilation of the cervix in labour. Dry vagina, hot flushes, night sweats, palpitations. One minute she has physical symptoms, the next, the emotions take over.
None of this is good for the sex life.
The remedy Cimicifuga can calm the mind. It can balance the second half of the menstrual cycle, the luteinising phase, and in menopausal women can lower luteinising hormone and act as a hormone balancer.
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Helonias
Also known as False Unicorn Root or Blazing Star. A pretty rosette of leaves surmounted by waving, wavy spikes of pale flowers.
A Helonias woman is exhausted, she feels heavy, tired and her back and kidneys ache. She can’t sleep.
Her womb is tired, she may have had heavy periods, endometriosis, or several pregnancies or miscarriages. She feels weaker during and after the periods.
She feels the outline of her womb, the outline of her kidneys. Her womb drags, it may be displaced, she may have a prolapse. She may feel as if her womb has taken over her life.
She has vaginal discharge, itchy genitals, sore breasts, and not much sex drive.
A Helonias woman feels much better if she keeps busy, she is restless, but not helped by physical activity like a Sepia woman. She hates to be criticized, she is easily hurt. She is quite critical herself, and she is uncomfortable if other people are too happy. It reminds her of her own state.
She doesn’t talk as much as a Cimicifuga woman, she keeps to herself.
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Platina
 Made from the metal Platinum: silver-white, shiny and precious.
A Platina woman is an idealist. She has high standards and many romantic ideas. Consequently, she is easily disappointed. She thinks a lot about the past, she feels abandoned, she does not fit in with her family, she grieves for past disappointments, love affairs or ambitions.
She is never satisfied with less than the best. She is contemptuous and critical, everything seems horrible and small.
She doesn’t like children much, she doesn’t care for people; she may dislike her husband and have the impulse to kill him. She is depressed, but better for a good cry.
She can be very sexy, passionate, full of sexual thoughts; her strong sexual desire may get her into trouble. Or she may develop a prim and proper exterior.
Alternatively, her genitals may be so sensitive, it is painful. She has vaginismus, she cannot bear internal examinations, sanitary towels, or sexual intercourse.
She has problems with the ovaries: infertility, pains, pains after sexual intercourse.
Physical symptoms include numbness, tightness, neuralgia, and constipation.
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There are many other homeopathic remedies that may suit your situation better. Please arrange for a consultation and do not try to treat yourself for these issues.
Herbs and Supplements
for Women’s Sexual Health
Arginine
Arginine is an amino acid – one of the building blocks of protein. It is well known as a sexual enhancer for men (see Men’s Sexual Health). Less well known is its effect on women. The mechanism by which Arginine assists the male erection is by increasing Nitric Oxide, which regulates blood flow. But Arginine allows extra blood to flow to both male and female genitals. This usually feels good!
Arginine has not been tested on its own in women, but in a combination with other herbs (Panax Ginseng, Ginkgo Biloba, Damiana), with multi-vitamins and minerals, an astonishing 71% of women reported increased sexual desire. This research was not funded by any manufacturer. Although reporting of libido levels is very subjective, I think this study is worthy of note.
Arginine is required for insulin production and blood sugar control, and may inhibit the absorption of fat, so may be useful in weight control. In addition, it is beneficial to the arteries of the heart.
The technical name for Arginine is L-Arginine.
Warnings: Avoid in cases of schizophrenia.
Avoid if prone to, or suffering from, herpes infection, because anginine 'feeds' the herpes virus. The amino acid Lysine antagonises the virus.
Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding; physician’s guidance with liver or kidney problems.
For maximum effect, take separately from protein, 30-60 mins before or after protein meals.
I recommend and supply Viridian Arginine with L-Ornithine - completely pure Arginine powder.
Mix this powder with a little juice or water. The taste is pleasant.
Also contains L-Ornithine, which helps the body make more Arginine.
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Ashwaganda
Withania Somnifera, a member of the pepper family.
A widely used Ayurvedic herb. Ashwaganda is important traditionally in the treatment of the nervous and reproductive systems. It appears to be rejuvenating, and is traditionally taken to tone the womb after a miscarriage, abortion or childbirth. It is a tonic, which strengthens, energises and calms, but is not a stimulant, despite the rumours of aphrodisiac properties (the name allegedly means ‘imparting the strength of a stallion’ hence its popularity in male supplements).
Warnings:
Because of its tranquillising effect, it should not be combined with other sedatives.
Safety during pregnancy is unknown, but one of its traditional uses is to induce abortion, so I do not advise it.
Pukka Herbs market Ashwaganda in various combinations. Available from Xynergy, see Links natural remedy links.
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Maça
 Lepidium Meyenii: a member of the brassica family like turnip and radish. This small root is a staple food in the high Andes. Maça has a powerful traditional reputation as an aphrodisiac for both sexes. It also has other health benefits.
Maça has a high nutritional content, with many minerals including Selenium, Calcium, Magnesium and Iron. It is used extensively in Peru today, for fertility problems, as an immune system stimulant, and to enhance memory.
Maça has a high Arginine content (see Arginine above). It also contains high levels of Histidine, an amino acid with an important role in sexual function. Histidine helps our bodies make histamine, which is essential for orgasms, and increases blood flow to the genitals. This is why anti-histamine drugs can cause difficulty with orgasms. In men, it is essential for ejaculation, and high levels may be involved in premature ejaculation. Too much of a good thing!
Maça contains a chemical called p-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate, which allegedly has aphrodisiac properties. The majority of the research, however, has been conducted or funded by the main marketers of Maça products, so it was hardly impartial. Also, libido is very subjective and not readily amenable to ‘scientific’ research.
Recent research reveals that Maça does not affect testosterone levels (testosterone is involved in sex drive in both sexes).
I know of no warnings for this herb; there is no information about safety in pregnancy.
Marketed by Pukka Herbs and Rio Amazon, and available from Xynergy or Greenlife, see Links, natural remedy links.
Also contained in the product Herbal X, available from Greenlife.
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Rhodiola
This is one herb I use myself regularly, and often recommend to others. If you simply feel too run down to get interested in sex, or you have had too much going on to give your sex life much energy, I recommend considering Rhodiola (and I supply it too).
This herb is an adaptogen, which means it supports the body during stress. It acts in several ways:
Rhodiola looks after our adrenal glands, the ones that make all those hormones when we are stressed. Of course, long-term difficulties are the most damaging to the adrenals, because they get overworked, just like us.
Rhodiola protects our immune systems from the effects of stress. And a stressed person is not a sexy person.
Rhodiola can help depression by boosting serotonin, a brain chemical linked with good mood. Unlike St. John’s Wort, Rhodiola does not interact with conventional drugs.
Positive results from studies also show an improvement in both primary and secondary amenorrhoea (absence of periods).
Research shows Rhodiola improves indicators of male sex hormones; in every other way it acts equally on men and women. It seems likely that libido and sexual energy could also improve in women with a dysfunction of the sex glands. There is as yet no research to back this.
Warnings:
Rarely, this herb requires supervision if you have coronary spasm or fluctuations in arterial pressure; requires supervision if you have nervous excitability and hypertension.
I recommend and supply Viridian’s pure vegetarian capsules.
Viridian Rhodiola 380mg*
Viridian Maxi Potency Rhodiola 380mg* (Maxi Potency contains 300% more rosavins [active principles] in the same weight of extract.)
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Shatavari
Asparagus Racemosus: another very important Ayurvedic herb for women’s sexual health, compare Ashwaganda above. It is soothing, and a tonic. It has a traditional reputation as an aphrodisiac: I do not know of reliable research to back this up. It contains plant sterols, glycosides and many other compounds.
In India, considerable research has been done into its usefulness for cholesterol, liver, and cancer problems, but I have not seen the results.
Shatavari has been traditionally used in the treatment of infertility, loss of libido, threatened miscarriage, and menopausal problems, amongst other things. It has been used for both male and female fertility. In ayurvedic terms it is ‘sweet, moistening and nourishing’. Sounds good! (could just be ayurvedic advertising).
It is a very safe herb but must be avoided in pregnancy, as it may be teratogenic (causing malformations of the foetus). So take care if you are trying to conceive.
Pukka Herbs market Shatavari as capsules or tincture. Available from Xynergy, see Links natural remedy links.
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Footnotes
Viridian herbal products contain a mixture of standardised extract and whole herb. The measure in milligrams combines these.
More Information and Support.
This page lists some natural remedies - there are many others.
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