Nitric oxide plays an essential role in male erection. A role for nitric oxide as a vasodilator in clitoral and vaginal smooth muscle relaxation has been suggested. To examine the potential influence of exogenously administered nitric oxide on women’s sexual arousal, we (Meston & Worcel, 2002) conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled study which examined the effects of oral administration of the nitric oxide-precursor L-arginine, in combination with the alpha 2 blocker yohimbine, on subjective and physiological responses to erotic stimuli in postmenopausal women with Female Sexual Arousal Disorder. The combined oral administration of L-arginine glutamate and yohimbine induced a rapid and significant increase in vaginal pulse amplitude (VPA) response to the erotic film at 60 min post drug administration compared with placebo. This finding has implications for deriving new pharmacological approaches to the management of FSAD in post-menopausal women.

Recommended paper:

Meston, C. M., & Worcel, M. (2002). The effects of yohimbine plus L-arginine glutamate on sexual arousal in postmenopausal women with sexual arousal disorder. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 31(4), 323-332. (PDF 924 KB)