Sexual dysfunction is a prevalent problem among adult women. According to a large nationwide study in the U.S., 5% of women had arousal problems that caused distress or concern. Between 17% and 45% of postmenopausal women say they have pain with intercourse. Among older adults, 23% of women ages 57 to 80 said they did not find sex pleasurable and 5% have a problem achieving orgasm. Sex drive decreases gradually with age in both men and women but women are more likely to be affected. The answer for many postmenopausal women is vaginal estrogen, which is the main hormone that is depleted in vaginal tissues. This treatment can be very effective. But many women prefer not to use hormones.
One option for women is a patented formula that has been used for years in European countries called Ristela. It is a blend of nutritional ingredients shown to improve sexual function in women. This product was presented at the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health Annual Meeting 2019.
The formulation is composed of Pycnogenol (French Maritime Pine Bark extract), amino acids L-Arginine and L-Citrulline, and a propriety rose hip extract. Pycnogenol is a powerful antioxidant that has been studied in more than 160 clinical trials. It works synergistically with the other ingredients to enhance nitric oxide production and enhance blood flow. Nutrients and oxygen are also able to reach sensitive tissues in the body including the reproductive organs and brain. Research suggests that Ristela improves overall sexual function including vaginal dryness.
Three clinical trials were done in which 263 women on Ristela were reviewed. The studies were 60 days long and used the total score on the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). This is a questionnaire that assesses sexual domains such as sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, satisfaction and pain. All women had moderate sexual dysfunction as determined by their baseline FSFI scores. Total antioxidant capacity, and plasma free radicals were scored by measuring oxidative inhibition, reactive oxygen metabolites, and antioxidant potential in the plasma. The FSFI scores improved in all trials in the Ristela group vs the control group. The third trial was conducted in 100 healthy premenopausal women, ages 37-45. After 1 month, total median FSFI score increased by 85.5% in the Ristela group vs 35.3% in the control group. After 2 months, scores increased by 121.4% in the Ristela group vs. 31.5% in the control group (p<0.0001). There were no adverse reactions using Ristela. The first trial was conducted in healthy postmenopausal women (ages 45-55) and the second trial included healthy peri-menopausal women (ages 40-50). Both trials showed significant improvement in FSFI scores in the Ristela groups.
Ristela is a safe, effective treatment option for improving sexual response in pre, peri and postmenopausal women. Talk to your practitioner in how to order this product. Samples are dispensed in physician offices with instructions on ordering.
Reference: Shifren, JL, Monz BU, Russo PA, Segreti A, Johannes CB. Sexual problems and distress in United States women. Obstet Gynecol 2008; 112:970-978.
Parish, S., Kellogg-Spadt, S. A review of cli ical study data on Ristela, a supplement blend for improved sexual function in women. Poster presentation at the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health Annual Meeting 2019. Abstract published: Journal of Sexual Medicine 2019.