Dear Neal,

At this writing, there is very little scientific information available about the herb Ginkgo biloba; clearly, more research is needed. As with both medications and dietary supplements, side effects are idiosyncratic. Anything one takes could result in an allergic or adverse effect. Could it work? Perhaps. However, there may be a placebo effect, or no effect at all.

Alice suggests seeing a urologist for a medical assessment. To find a urologist, ask your primary physician or family doctor. Your medical history and certain test results would show if there were any physiological basis for your body's response, and what that basis is. This is important since the cause of erectile difficulties determines the treatment plan.

If the cause of your response, or the lack of it, is not medical, then a referral to a sex therapist, who has experience working with individuals who have difficulties with erections, would be your next step. Sometimes, urologists work in tandem with sex therapists. If your urologist does not work in conjunction with a sex therapist, visit the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) web site for a referral to a sex therapist in your geographic area.

Alice

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