Improved Ejacultory Control And Sexual Satisfaction In Pilot Study Of Men Taking Hypericum Perforatum Extract

The most common male sexual dysfunction is premature ejaculation (PE) and yet there are no approved currently effective therapies. Based on research that Hypericum perforatum, a natural supplement has been demonstrated pharmacologically to delay ejaculation in a rat model of PE, we evaluated the effects of hyperforin extract of Hypericum perforatum on the ejaculatory reflex duration by using the intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) and sexual satisfaction. Sixteen men who desired longer sexual intercourse and without erectile dysfunction were treated with Hypericum perforatum immediately prior to sexual activity. An intercourse diary was used to document baseline data for 2 weeks and throughout the study period of 4 weeks. Partners were asked to measure IELT using a stopwatch as well as complete a sexual function questionnaire both pre and post treatment. All 16 subjects completed the study (average age 35.0 ± 4.6 years old). There was a significant increase in mean IELT times from 246±29 to 331±34 seconds (p<0.002) in subjects taking hyperforin extract. Fourteen of 16 men (87.5%) reported an improvement in IELT. The increase was seen in both the men who reported PE as bothersome and those who did not feel that PE was a problem for them. There was also significant increase in male satisfaction scores from 3.8±0.27 to 4.25 ±0.21 (p<0.03). Female satisfaction scores also showed a significant increase from 4.9±0.27 to 5.2±0.23 (p<0.04). This pilot study was limited by the lack of placebo control. No systemic or adverse effects on erectile function or orgasm were reported. Hyperforin extract of Hypericum perforatum can increase the duration of sexual intercourse and improve sexual satisfaction for men with and without complaints of PE.