Zestra

• How It Works

  Zestra may improve sexual function in normal women and in those suffering from female sexual disorders.

  Zestra is a personal product for women that contains borage seed oil, evening primrose oil, angelica root extract, Coleus forskohlii extract, ascorbyl palmitate, and dl-alpha tocopherol.. It is being promoted to relieve symptoms of female sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction may include painful intercourse, loss of desire, and difficulty in achieving arousal or orgasm. Stress, changes in hormone, cancer treatment, drugs, or menopause are some of the factors that can cause sexual dysfunction. Scientists believe that the borage, evening primrose, angelica, and Coleus forskohlii may be responsible for Zestra’s activity. A small study showed that Zestra can improve sexual function in both normal women and in those suffering from female sexual arousal disorder.

  Zestra has not been studied in cancer patients. Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or those trying to get pregnant should not use Zestra.

• Purported Uses

  Female sexual dysfunction
  Clinical studies show that Zestra can improve sexual function in women.

• Patient Warnings

  Sexual dysfunction could be a result of other complex underlying physical, biological, or psychological disorders. Patients should consult and be monitored by a physician when using this product.

• Do Not Take If
  • You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • You are trying to get pregnant.
  • You are sensitive to any of the components.
  • You have a vaginal infection or irritation.
• Side Effects
  • Mild to moderate genital burning was reported following use of Zestra.
• Clinical Summary

  Zestra is a topical botanical formulation of borage seed oil, evening primrose oil, angelica root extract, Coleus forskohlii extract, ascorbyl palmitate, and dl-alpha tocopherol. It is promoted to relieve symptoms associated with female sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction may involve painful intercourse, loss of libido, difficulty in maintaining arousal, or difficulty in achieving orgasm. Causative factors include stress, hormonal changes, cancer treatment involving surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or hormone therapy, use of antidepressants, or menopause. The borage, primrose, angelica, and coleus extracts may contribute to Zestra’s activity by increasing blood flow and nerve conduction ^{(2) (3) (4)}. Clinical studies show that it benefits both normal women and those with sexual disorders by heightening desire, arousal, and increased sexual pleasure ^(1) (6).

  Zestra has not been studied in cancer patients. Adverse effects from its use include mild burning sensation locally. It is contraindicated in women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, and in those trying to conceive.

• Purported Uses
  • Female sexual dysfunction
• Mechanism of Action

  Studies show that borage and evening primrose oils are rich in gamma-linolenic acid that is metabolized to prostaglandin E1 in the skin ⁽²⁾. This process is known to increase blood flow and nerve conduction. Osthole, a compound present in Angelica root extract was found to increase the levels of cGMP and cAMP ⁽³⁾. The Coleus forskohlii extract contains forskolin, coleonol, and related diterpenes that are known to stimulate adenylate cyclase ⁽⁴⁾.

• Warnings

  Sexual dysfunction could be a result of other complex underlying physical, biological, or psychological disorders. Patients should consult and be monitored by a physician when using this product.

• Contraindications
  • Women trying to conceive and pregnant women
  • Women who are breastfeeding
  • Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients
  • Vaginal irritation, atrophy, or infection
• Adverse Reactions
  • Mild to moderate genital burning following application of Zestra has been reported ^(1) (6).
• References

  1. Ferguson DM, Steidle CP, Singh GS, Alexander JS, Weihmiller MK, Crosby MG. Randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind, crossover design trial of the efficacy and safety of Zestra for Women in women with and without female sexual arousal disorder. J Sex Marital Ther 2003; 29 Suppl 1:33-44.

  2. Dines KC, Cotter MA, Cameron NE. Effectiveness of natural oils as sources of gamma-linolenic acid to correct peripheral nerve conduction velocity abnormalities in diabetic rats: modulation by thromboxane A2 inhibition. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1996; 55(3):159-165.

  3. Teng CM, Lin CH, Ko FN, Wu TS, Huang TF. The relaxant action of osthole isolated from Angelica pubescens in guinea-pig trachea. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 1994; 349(2):202-208.

  4. Andersson KE, Stief CG. Neurotransmission and the contraction and relaxation of penile erectile tissues. World J Urol 1997; 15(1):14-20.

  5. Product website. http://www.zestra.com/. Accessed June 10, 2019.

  6. Ferguson DM, Hosmane B, Heiman JR. Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel design trial of the efficacy and safety of Zestra in women with mixed desire/interest/arousal/orgasm disorders. J Sex Marital Ther. 2010;36(1):66-86.