Table 2 Clinical trials of the effects of red ginseng on men’s reproductive health

Age range, 25–45 years; complaint of infertility for ≥ 12 months

20

1500 mg of KRG capsules daily

for 12 weeks

Sperm concentrations, motility, morphology, and viability significantly improved.

[11]

Mean age, 54 years; psychological and organic ED

22

900 mg of KRG per dose,

thrice daily for 8 weeks

The mean IIEF-5 score significantly improved after 8 weeks of KRG treatment compared with that of the placebo. The mean scores of the erectile function, sexual desire, and intercourse satisfaction domains were significantly higher in the KRG group than in the placebo group after 8 weeks.

[17]

Age range, 29–61 years; mild vasculogenic ED

13

900 mg of KRG per dose,

thrice daily for 3 months

In patients treated with KRG, the total and sexual satisfaction scores based on the questionnaire used in this study significantly increased, and the end-diastolic velocity in the cavernous artery decreased.

[18]

Age range, 25–70 years; mild or mild-to-moderate ED

30

600 mg of KRG per dose,

thrice daily for 12 weeks

Changes in early detumescence and erectile parameters, such as penile rigidity and girth, libido, and patient satisfactions, were significantly higher in the KRG group than in other groups, statistically confirming the effect of KRG.

[19]

Mean age, 54 ± 4 years; psychological ED

28

600 or 900 mg of KRG per dose,

thrice daily for 2 months

The 900 mg group had 21 patients, and the 600 mg group had 7 patients. Erectile hardness, sexual desire, and satisfaction with sex improved in 19 patients (15 from the 900 mg group and 4 from the 600 mg group).

[20]

Age range, 26–56 years; ED duration, 5.6 ± 6 years

30

600 mg of KRG per dose,

thrice daily for 12 weeks

Rigidity and tumescence on erection, early detumescence, libido, and patient satisfaction were more significantly improved in the KRG group than in the placebo group.

[21]

Mean age: 43.4 ± 6.7 (Korea), 39.1 ± 10 (China), and

50.2 ± 6 (Singapore) years; organic and psychogenic ED

37

600 mg of KRG per dose,

thrice daily for 3 months

The effective rates of sexual desire, erection, sexual activity, and sexual satisfaction were significantly better in the KRG group than in the placebo group.

[22]

Mean age, 53.2 ± 9.7 years; psychogenic, organic, and mixed ED

35

400 mg of KRG extract powder per dose,

2 times for 8 weeks

The primary efficacy domain (erectile function) and all secondary efficacy domains significantly improved; moreover, sexual desire, frequency, and degree of sexual desire improved.

[23]

Mean age, 45.7 ± 8.7 years; psychogenic ED

25

600 mg of KRG per dose,

thrice daily for 8 weeks

The erectile hardness and maintenance were significantly better in the KRG group than in the placebo group. Post-treatment satisfaction was significantly higher in the KRG group, and it was significantly better than that in the placebo group.

[24]

Mean age, 54.3; mean baseline IIEF-5, 16.4 ± 2.9; mild ED (n = 18) and mild-to-moderate ED (n = 12)

30

1000 mg of KRG per dose,

thrice daily for 12 weeks

The baseline IIEF-5 score significantly increased after KRG treatment; furthermore, erection in response to the global efficacy question; rigidity; and erection maintenance in addition to penetration were significantly better in the KRG group than in the placebo group.

[25]

Mean age, 45.1 ± 7.6; psychogenic ED

19

600 mg of KRG per dose,

thrice daily for 4 weeks

Among the 19 people treated with KRG, 12 achieved better results in terms of sexual activity.

[26]