Dr. Fulbright
I’ve heard of things like horny goat weed, and some drink in the grocery store a few years back called Niagara, the female “viagra.”  Which herbal meds are safe and effective and which are not?
Stacy

Dear Stacy,
There are lots of aphrodisiacs out there – or at least supposed ones – and most of them have not been studied. So people don’t really know what they’re getting as far as quality, as well as if the suggested dosage is correct and if the product is truly safe. To date, the Food & Drug Administration (or FDA) has yet to give its stamp of approval on any of them. They don’t regulate herbal medications because they don’t have to.

That said, there are a few herbal medications out there that are supposedly good as far as sexual functioning and sexual arousal go. The more common ones are cayenne, gingko, or ginger. Once again, you’re using these at your own risk. So be sure to consult with your physician before taking any of these herbal medicines for better sex. There are types that can affect any prescriptions that you’re taking and that can harm your health more than anything. So be safe!

Dr. Yvonne Kristín Fulbright is a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source Inc. She is the author of several books including, “Touch Me There! A Hands-On Guide to Your Orgasmic Hot Spots.”

Dear Yvonne:
I am 67 and my wife is 69 years old. We are having the time of our lives with a
little help from Levitra. We are both very healthy and enjoying retirement with
golf, tennis, etc. Sure would like to see a study on sex after 65. Are we normal? 
Jim

Dear Jim,
I’m glad to hear that you have an active, fulfilling sex life since sexual intimacy in the later years is a huge quality of life component that a lot of people either ignore or don’t want to hear about. But in 2004, AARP decided to look at elderly sex in a repeat study focusing on those 45 and older in the United States. It found that 49 percent of those who had regular sexual partners were having sexual intercourse at least one time per week. It also found that about two-thirds of them reported hugging or kissing their partners on a regular basis. Finally, the study found that slightly more than half of baby boomers and seniors are engaging in sexual touch or caressing on a regular basis. So if any of that sounds like you and your wife, then you fit right in with the “norm.” If you’re a little friskier than that, then I say enjoy your norm!

Dr. Yvonne Kristín Fulbright is a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source Inc. She is the author of several books including, “Touch Me There! A Hands-On Guide to Your Orgasmic Hot Spots.”

A man faces up to 20 years in jail for selling chocolate laced with Viagra through the mail as a food supplement.  The French news agency AFP says Tibor Liska pleaded guilty to selling some 12,000 packets a month of sildenafil, which is sold under the brand name Viagra, mixed with chocolate and herbs.  

The “food supplements” were sold under the name “Boom” between March 2006 and November 2007 in the United States, Australia, Colombia, Switzerland, Russia, Argentina, Japan and Slovakia. The supplements were billed as being plant-based and didn’t mention that they contained Viagra.

What do you think?  Leave your comments below.