How does arginine work in women?

While anecdotal reports indicate that L-arginine has potent prosexual effects in both men and women, the actual mechanism of action in women is less clear. In female rats, NO release initiates a chain of events that begins with the pulsatile release of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), followed by the release of LH, which leads to ovulation and also to behaviors like lordosis, which attract the male and facilitate mounting. Giving the rats a drug that inhibits production of NO, by blocking NOS activity, breaks this chain of behavior [Main, 1994]. Another rat study showed that NO produced in the rat uterus keeps the uterine muscle from contracting during pregnancy but not during delivery and that NO levels were controlled by the female hormone estrogen [Yallampalli, 1994]. In a result that would have warmed the hearts of Graham, Kellogg and their like, it has been found that completely depriving neonatal female rats of dietary arginine significantly slows their sexual development [Pau, 1982]. Perhaps, that's why they frowned on excessive meat eating. Meat is an excellent source of arginine.

Can dietary L-arginine raise NO levels?

As long as your NOS system remains intact, it seems likely that additional supplies of L-arginine may increase the synthesis of NO. It is well-known that you can increase your brain levels of important neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline and acetylcholine by ingesting supplements of nutrients the body can use to make the neurotransmitters. Thus, it's also plausible that arginine supplements could increase the availability of NO.

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