• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.17-21
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• 1995

A study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of Korean Red Ginseng (ERG) as an oral agent for erectile dysfunction (EF), which was compared to that of placebo and trazodone. Patients who were believed to have EF of mild or non-organic etiologies, randomized into 3 groups to receive 600 mg KRG 3 times daily (group A), placebo (group B) and 25mg trazodone once a day after evening (group C). All agents were given orally. Ninety patients, composed of 30 in each group, were included and analyzed only when clinical follow-up could be achieved at the end of the study for at least 3 months. There were no significant differences(p>0.05) between each group in mean age (43.7 years), duration of EF (5.8 years), the state of marriage (married : 80 patients) and duration of marriage (18.2 years). In group A, the parameters such as rigidity and tumescence on erection, early detumescence, libido and patient's satisfaction were significantly more effective than that of other group (p<0.05). But there were no significant differences in the parameters such as the frequency of coitus, premature ejaculation and morning erection between 3 groups (p>0.05). The efficacy achieved with KGR (60%) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of placebo (30%) and trazodone (30%). There were no significant changes on level of serum testosterone and type of AVS-penogram in group A. No side effect was demonstrated in all patients.