Problems found with most sexual enhancement supplements evaluated by ConsumerLab.com — Only 9 of 22 products pass independent review

WHITE PLAINS, NY — September 24, 2002 — ConsumerLab.com announced today that nearly 60% of products failed to pass its independent Product Review of Sexual Enhancement Supplements. Sexual dysfunction is estimated to affect 43% of women and 31% of men in the U.S. according to an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1999. However, no prescription medication is available for sexual dysfunction for women and Viagra, an effective drug for erectile dysfunction in men, is expensive and has potential side effects. A variety of non-prescription, sexual enhancement supplements is marketed in the U.S. ConsumerLab.com's review assessed the clinical evidence for more than twenty ingredients used in these supplements and evaluated 22 products containing the popular ingredients L-arginine, yohimbe, and epimedium (horny goat weed).

Eleven of the products evaluated failed to meet FDA labeling requirements. One product, for example, did not list the plant parts used, while another product indicated that it was made from yohimbe "root" rather than the appropriate part — bark. The remaining eleven products underwent further laboratory analyses. Among these, one product contained only 1% of its claimed amount of yohimbe. Another product was found to contain only 45% of the expected marker compound for a key ingredient — epimedium.

Only 9 of the 22 sexual enhancement products purchased passed the review. Commenting on the disturbing results, Tod Cooperman, M.D., President of ConsumerLab.com said, "Viagra's success has spawned a plethora of alternative therapies marketed for sexual dysfunction. People interested in using these products, however, need to view them critically — as the effectiveness of most ingredients has not been well proven and many products are poorly made."

The review, including the complete list of products that passed and insightful tips on buying and using sexual enhancement supplements, are now available to ConsumerLab.com's online subscribers at www.consumerlab.com. Also available are results of more than 30 other reviews of vitamins and supplements. Other Product Reviews scheduled for release in coming months include garlic supplements, probiotics, DHEA, and melatonin. ConsumerLab.com's Guide to Buying the Best Vitamins and Supplements is scheduled for print publication later this year.

ConsumerLab.com is a leading provider of consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health and nutrition. The company is privately held and based in White Plains, New York. It has no ownership from, or interest in, companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell consumer products. Subscription to Consumerlab.com is available online. Parties interested in group subscriptions, Technical Reports, or having additional products tested should contact Lisa Sabin, Vice President for Business Development, at lisa.sabin@consumerlab.com.

Copyright ConsumerLab.com, LLC, 2002. All rights reserved.



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