Supplements that are a waste of time and money

A 2021 study gave 48 healthy, menstruating women either 250mg of fenugreek extract twice a day or a placebo. Those who took the extract had fewer sexual problems and reduced irritability, along with increased estradiol, free testosterone, and total testosterone.74 The evidence on reishi mushrooms for female sexual dysfunction or libido support is pretty slim, with only a couple of animal studies available at this time. In a 2018 study, male Wistar rats were either given one of two reishi extracts (150mg/kg and 300mg/kg) or one of two placebos (sildenafil and distilled water) to evaluate the mushroom’s aphrodisiac potential.

Results showed that the lower dose of 150mg/kg was more effective, but, in general, the reishi extract increased the rats’ interest in females and led to increased mounting behavior and mating performance.75 A similar male rat study from 2022 found that reishi mushroom polysaccharides may be able to treat diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction (DMED), in part by enhancing “the mRNA expression of” nitric oxide synthase (the enzyme that turns L-arginine to L-citrulline and nitric oxide).76 77 This ingredient has the least amount of scientific support. In a 2007 overview of guarana’s history and prospects, researchers state that this plant “has been distorted by market forces into an aphrodisiac and energy booster.”78 This is supported by the findings of a few small studies. A 2009 study gave breast cancer patients 75mg daily for 28 days and found that there were no effects on radiation-induced fatigue or depression.79 And an older study that gave 45 elderly volunteers 1g of guarana found no significant sleep quality, cognitive, or sexual improvements.80 While there isn’t much research on caffeine for female sexual health, the results of a 2023 study showed that, compared to a placebo, acute administration of 300mg of caffeine (around six times the amount in this supplement) increased genital arousal in women experiencing sexual dysfunction due to antidepressants.81 There are a few positive studies that suggest saffron supplementation may be beneficial for sexual dysfunction. A 2022 placebo-controlled study on married women suffering from severe sexual dysfunction found that 15mg of saffron twice daily (30mg total) resulted in a 62% score improvement from baseline after six weeks. Improvements from saffron over placebo were particularly strong in desire, lubrication, and satisfaction.82 A similar 2012 study on saffron for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction gave 38 women either 30mg of saffron or placebo daily for four weeks.

In the end, the saffron group experienced “significantly more improvement” in arousal, lubrication, and pain, but not in desire, satisfaction, or orgasm.83 A couple of studies suggest Tribulus terrestris extract may be a potentially effective treatment for sexual dysfunction in women. For example, a 2014 study found that 7.5mg daily for four weeks increased desire, arousal, lubrication, satisfaction, and pain.84 However, a 2020 systematic review explains that, while the data appears positive for FSD, “the certainty of the evidence was very low” and more research is needed.85 But a more recent, unrelated 2021 review investigating T. terrestris for the female reproductive system found that the plant’s positive effects are due to its saponin content (a bitter-tasting compound found in many plants).86 And Drive For Her’s T. terrestris content is standardized to 45% saponins, which is promising. This ingredient isn’t added for sexual health; rather, it’s included to potentially improve the bioavailability of the other herbal ingredients.

• Libido pills may contain ingredients like hormonal precursors to increase arousal.
• Some natural supplements are marketed as libido boosters without scientific backing.
• Possible side effects of libido pills include nausea, dizziness, or hormonal imbalance.
• Women should consider underlying health issues before using libido-enhancing medications.

The piperine content in black pepper has been found to increase the bioavailability of various substances by 30-200%. However, it’s currently unknown how well it works on all ingredients, and the effect may be inconsistent on some.87 As with most supplements and medications, there are some safety risks to keep in mind. For Libido Lift Rx and Drive For Her, they include: Both products (and O-Cream Rx) are unsafe for individuals who are pregnant or nursing. Tadalafil can lead to headaches, indigestion, back pain, nasal congestion, hypotension, skin flushing, limb pain, nausea, dizziness, vision changes, hearing loss, and rashes.64 Tadalafil may interact with alcohol, alpha-blockers, antihypertensives, and other medications.64 Fenugreek (Libifem) may be unsafe for those with thyroid or hormone-sensitive concerns.88 89 Reishi may interact with medications for diabetes, blood pressure, and blood clotting.90 Saffron shouldn’t be taken by those with diabetes, hypoglycemia, low blood pressure, or bipolar disorder.

It may also interact with sedatives, antidepressants, and more.91 Of course, the list above isn’t comprehensive, so you should always speak with your doctor before adding a new supplement or prescription to your routine. It’s worth mentioning that Cake Meds For Her can’t be shipped to Alabama, California, South Carolina, Guam, or Puerto Rico due to restrictions.

No daily commitments

This means that those territories can’t get Libido Lift Rx or O-Cream Rx, but they can still get the Drive For Her supplement. In contrast, Wisp is able to prescribe medications in all 50 U.S.

states, so ed treatment drugs you can get OMG! Cream no matter where you are in the country. The chart below breaks down the pricing details for Libido Lift Rx, Drive For Her, and O-Cream Rx (regular and extra strength). As you can see, Cake’s prescription products can’t be purchased on a one-time basis. This means that you’ll have to sign up for a recurring subscription if you’re interested in either of those. Drive For Her, on the other hand, can be purchased either way, and it’s covered under the company’s 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

Nugenix® - Libido: Women's Sexual Vitality Booster - 60 Tablets

For Libido Lift Rx and Drive For Her, they include: Both products (and O-Cream Rx) are unsafe for individuals who are pregnant or nursing. Tadalafil can lead to headaches, indigestion, back pain, nasal congestion, hypotension, skin flushing, limb pain, nausea, dizziness, vision changes, hearing loss, and rashes.64 Tadalafil may interact with alcohol, alpha-blockers, antihypertensives, and other medications.64 Fenugreek (Libifem) may be unsafe for those with thyroid or hormone-sensitive concerns.88 89 Reishi may interact with medications for diabetes, blood pressure, and blood clotting.90 Saffron shouldn’t be taken by those with diabetes, hypoglycemia, low blood pressure, or bipolar disorder. It may also interact with sedatives, antidepressants, and more.91 Of course, the list above isn’t comprehensive, so you should always speak with your doctor before adding a new supplement or prescription to your routine. It’s worth mentioning that Cake Meds For Her can’t be shipped to Alabama, California, South Carolina, Guam, or Puerto Rico due to restrictions. This means that those territories can’t get Libido Lift Rx or O-Cream Rx, but they can still get the Drive For Her supplement.

As Kratom and 7-OH Use Grows, Clinicians Are Developing Protocols for Addiction Treatment—WHYY

In contrast, Wisp is able to prescribe medications in all 50 U.S. states, so ed treatment drugs you can get OMG! Cream no matter where you are in the country. The chart below breaks down the pricing details for Libido Lift Rx, Drive For Her, and O-Cream Rx (regular and extra strength). As you can see, Cake’s prescription products can’t be purchased on a one-time basis.

Other ingredients

This means that you’ll have to sign up for a recurring subscription if you’re interested in either of those. Drive For Her, on the other hand, can be purchased either way, and it’s covered under the company’s 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Around 100 treatments per bottle if used as directed Peppermint oil and damiana may promote arousal Should be safe for pregnant individuals (still check with your doctor, though) Not recommended for people with genital herpes due to L-arginine content No guarantee available and refunds are only for unopened products Some people may not like the warming, yet cold and minty sensation Unbound (also known as “Unbound Babes”) is a sexual wellness company that is, in its own words, “dedicated to demystifying an often overwhelming and intimidating shopping experience by providing educational content and well-designed, affordable, body-safe products.” While the brand offers quite a large selection of items, our focus for this guide is on Unbound’s water-based arousal gel, Jolt Gel. Cream and Cake Meds’ O-Cream Rx, Jolt Gel doesn’t contain any medications. Instead, this over-the-counter gel’s star ingredients are: L-Arginine and peppermint oil (due to its menthol content) can both promote increased blood flow through vasodilation.49 51 And damiana, or Turnera diffusa, is considered an aphrodisiac in traditional medicine.52 Studies are limited, but damiana appeared to help “sexually exhausted male rats” recover sexual behavior in a 2009 study.53 Of course, more research — especially on humans — is needed before we can definitively say damiana is effective. Around 100 treatments per bottle if used as directed Peppermint oil and damiana may promote arousal Should be safe for pregnant individuals (still check with your doctor, though) Not recommended for people with genital herpes due to L-arginine content No guarantee available and refunds are only for unopened products Some people may not like the warming, yet cold and minty sensation Unbound (also known as “Unbound Babes”) is a sexual wellness company that is, in its own words, “dedicated to demystifying an often overwhelming and intimidating shopping experience by providing educational content and well-designed, affordable, body-safe products.” While the brand offers quite a large selection of items, our focus for this guide is on Unbound’s water-based arousal gel, Jolt Gel. Cream and Cake Meds’ O-Cream Rx, Jolt Gel doesn’t contain any medications. Instead, this over-the-counter gel’s star ingredients are: L-Arginine and peppermint oil (due to its menthol content) can both promote increased blood flow through vasodilation.49 51 And damiana, or Turnera diffusa, is considered an aphrodisiac in traditional medicine.52 Studies are limited, but damiana appeared to help “sexually exhausted male rats” recover sexual behavior in a 2009 study.53 Of course, more research — especially on humans — is needed before we can definitively say damiana is effective.

• Flibanserin works by affecting serotonin receptors to increase sexual desire in women.
• Topical libido enhancers are available but less common and should be used with caution.
• Over-the-counter supplements lack regulation and may not be effective or safe.
• Supplements containing yohimbine or arginine are claimed to support sexual activity.

The other amino acid in the gel, L-ornithine, doesn’t have much research on it as a topical treatment, but it does appear to have some potential as a stress hormone reducer (for cortisol, specifically) when supplemented orally.50 But, as mentioned with damiana, more research is needed.

Women’s Health Clinicians Who Understand Women

A 2021 study gave 48 healthy, menstruating women either 250mg of fenugreek extract twice a day or a placebo. Those who took the extract had fewer sexual problems and reduced irritability, along with increased estradiol, free testosterone, and total testosterone.74 The evidence on reishi mushrooms for female sexual dysfunction or libido support is pretty slim, with only a couple of animal studies available at this time. In a 2018 study, male Wistar rats were either given one of two reishi extracts (150mg/kg and 300mg/kg) or one of two placebos (sildenafil and distilled water) to evaluate the mushroom’s aphrodisiac potential. Results showed that the lower dose of 150mg/kg was more effective, but, in general, the reishi extract increased the rats’ interest in females and led to increased mounting behavior and mating performance.75 A similar male rat study from 2022 found that reishi mushroom polysaccharides may be able to treat diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction (DMED), in part by enhancing “the mRNA expression of” nitric oxide synthase (the enzyme that turns L-arginine to L-citrulline and nitric oxide).76 77 This ingredient has the least amount of scientific support. In a 2007 overview of guarana’s history and prospects, researchers state that this plant “has been distorted by market forces into an aphrodisiac and energy booster.”78 This is supported by the findings of a few small studies.

Address the underlying cause

A 2009 study gave breast cancer patients 75mg daily for 28 days and found that there were no effects on radiation-induced fatigue or depression.79 And an older study that gave 45 elderly volunteers 1g of guarana found no significant sleep quality, cognitive, or sexual improvements.80 While there isn’t much research on caffeine for female sexual health, the results of a 2023 study showed that, compared to a placebo, acute administration of 300mg of caffeine (around six times the amount in this supplement) increased genital arousal in women experiencing sexual dysfunction due to antidepressants.81 There are a few positive studies that suggest saffron supplementation may be beneficial for sexual dysfunction. A 2022 placebo-controlled study on married women suffering from severe sexual dysfunction found that 15mg of saffron twice daily (30mg total) resulted in a 62% score improvement from baseline after six weeks. Improvements from saffron over placebo were particularly strong in desire, lubrication, and satisfaction.82 A similar 2012 study on saffron for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction gave 38 women either 30mg of saffron or placebo daily for four weeks. In the end, the saffron group experienced “significantly more improvement” in arousal, lubrication, and pain, but not in desire, satisfaction, or orgasm.83 A couple of studies suggest Tribulus terrestris extract may be a potentially effective treatment for sexual dysfunction in women. For example, a 2014 study found that 7.5mg daily for four weeks increased desire, arousal, lubrication, satisfaction, and pain.84 However, a 2020 systematic review explains that, while the data appears positive for FSD, “the certainty of the evidence was very low” and more research is needed.85 But a more recent, unrelated 2021 review investigating T.

ASHWAGANDHA EXTRACT

terrestris for the female reproductive system found that the plant’s positive effects are due to its saponin content (a bitter-tasting compound found in many plants).86 And Drive For Her’s T. terrestris content is standardized to 45% saponins, which is promising. This ingredient isn’t added for sexual health; rather, it’s included to potentially improve the bioavailability of the other herbal ingredients. The piperine content in black pepper has been found to increase the bioavailability of various substances by 30-200%. However, it’s currently unknown how well it works on all ingredients, and the effect may be inconsistent on some.87 As with most supplements and medications, there are some safety risks to keep in mind. Additionally, it’s important to note that Jolt Gel is not recommended for those with genital herpes, as the L-arginine content can trigger a flare-up. Jolt Gel can be purchased for $24 per bottle ($0.24 per pea-sized dose) either directly from Unbound or from its official Amazon storefront.

• Female libido pills are sometimes used alongside therapy for sexual dysfunction.
• Studies show mixed results; effectiveness varies greatly among women.
• Natural options like passionflower and tribulus terrestris may support desire.
• Use of libido pills should be integrated into a holistic approach to health.

At this time, we recommend purchasing through Amazon, as Unbound’s website doesn’t currently offer subscriptions.

Daily libido prescription

The other amino acid in the gel, L-ornithine, doesn’t have much research on it as a topical treatment, but it does appear to have some potential as a stress hormone reducer (for cortisol, specifically) when supplemented orally.50 But, as mentioned with damiana, more research is needed. Additionally, it’s important to note that Jolt Gel is not recommended for those with genital herpes, as the L-arginine content can trigger a flare-up. Jolt Gel can be purchased for $24 per bottle ($0.24 per pea-sized dose) either directly from Unbound or from its official Amazon storefront. At this time, we recommend purchasing through Amazon, as Unbound’s website doesn’t currently offer subscriptions. Even though Amazon’s subscription option, unfortunately, doesn’t come with a discount, it does let you receive regular shipments of Jolt Gel without having to remember to reorder.

Who should use Libida™?

Additionally, throughout our time keeping an eye on these products, we found that the Jolt Gel on Amazon goes on sale rather frequently. For example, at one point in early 2025, it was only $16.80 per bottle — that’s 30% off the regular price. But by the end of 2025 and heading into 2026, the price has returned to $24. Neither purchase avenue accepts returns or refunds of opened products, but Unbound will accept returns of unopened, unused Jolt Gel within 30 days of purchase. Amazon, in contrast, won’t accept returns at all for safety reasons.

Is it safe?

This no-return policy isn’t that out of the ordinary; it’s similar to the policies of Wisp and Cake Meds for their topical arousal products. Should be generally safe for healthy adults when used as directed Several ingredients have research suggesting potential efficacy Company fails to mention inclusion of melatonin and potentially risky DHEA Unsafe for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding DHEA may interact with medications, worsen mental health, and raise risk of mania Money-back guarantee requires minimum purchase of 2-month supply Potential results take at least a few weeks to months HerSolution is a female libido support supplement from the wellness company Leading Edge Health. Like VitaFLUX, it’s intended to help women and AFAB individuals with sexual dysfunction symptoms, like vaginal dryness, difficulty achieving orgasm, and low sex drive. This one-pill, once-a-day supplement may be more appealing to some who don’t wish to take six VitaFLUX capsules. However, as with all of the supplements mentioned in this guide, the potential effects will take time to appear — anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months. Even though Amazon’s subscription option, unfortunately, doesn’t come with a discount, it does let you receive regular shipments of Jolt Gel without having to remember to reorder. Additionally, throughout our time keeping an eye on these products, we found that the Jolt Gel on Amazon goes on sale rather frequently. For example, at one point in early 2025, it was only $16.80 per bottle — that’s 30% off the regular price. But by the end of 2025 and heading into 2026, the price has returned to $24. Neither purchase avenue accepts returns or refunds of opened products, but Unbound will accept returns of unopened, unused Jolt Gel within 30 days of purchase.

2. Chasteberry

Unlike the other options in our top picks, there’s a strange lack of transparency with some of the ingredients in the HerSolution supplement. On the Leading Edge Health website, the company lists the “HerSolution formula” as: This formula is further described as “a blend of herbals, amino acids, aphrodisiacs, and sexual nutrients.” We’re not entirely sure what a “sexual nutrient” is, but we do know that while the formula is, indeed, herbals and some other botanical ingredients used as aphrodisiacs, there aren’t any amino acids in HerSolution. Amazon, in contrast, won’t accept returns at all for safety reasons. This no-return policy isn’t that out of the ordinary; it’s similar to the policies of Wisp and Cake Meds for their topical arousal products. Should be generally safe for healthy adults when used as directed Several ingredients have research suggesting potential efficacy Company fails to mention inclusion of melatonin and potentially risky DHEA Unsafe for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding DHEA may interact with medications, worsen mental health, and raise risk of mania Money-back guarantee requires minimum purchase of 2-month supply Potential results take at least a few weeks to months HerSolution is a female libido support supplement from the wellness company Leading Edge Health. Like VitaFLUX, it’s intended to help women and AFAB individuals with sexual dysfunction symptoms, like vaginal dryness, difficulty achieving orgasm, and low sex drive. This one-pill, once-a-day supplement may be more appealing to some who don’t wish to take six VitaFLUX capsules.

• Ingredients like damiana and l-arginine are popular in women's libido enhancement products.
• Some women may experience improved desire with tailored hormone therapy.
• Use of libido pills is most effective with concurrent physical and emotional care.
• Staying informed about ingredients helps choose safe and effective products.

However, as with all of the supplements mentioned in this guide, the potential effects will take time to appear — anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months. Unlike the other options in our top picks, there’s a strange lack of transparency with some of the ingredients in the HerSolution supplement. On the Leading Edge Health website, the company lists the “HerSolution formula” as: This formula is further described as “a blend of herbals, amino acids, aphrodisiacs, and sexual nutrients.” We’re not entirely sure what a “sexual nutrient” is, but we do know that while the formula is, indeed, herbals and some other botanical ingredients used as aphrodisiacs, there aren’t any amino acids in HerSolution.