Low libido is common for both women and men. Though you hear about it more often with men (blue pill, anyone?), 15% of men combat low libido, and over double that amount of women, at 32%. Women’s sexuality is “multifaceted and fairly complicated”, says Sex Psychologist Sheryl Kingsberg, Ph. D.
Common (and numerous!) causes for low libido are relationship issues, job, stress, images of female sexuality in the media, body image issues, and medical conditions like fibroids, endometriosis, thyroid function, and low testosterone. Birth control pills and other forms of contraceptives can have a negative effect on women’s libido, but then, so can the possibility of pregnancy itself (timing is everything).
Men’s libido naturally decreases with age, however if age is not the main antagonist, depression, stress, low testosterone, or even side effects of some prescription medications are likely to be the culprit. Natural remedies for low libido do exist – so you do not necessarily have to start popping a prescription to get the spring back in your step!
Foods That Make You Frisky
Dark Chocolate is known to increases serotonin and phenylethylamine (“the love drug”) – resulting in feel-good effects and lowering stress. For optimum benefits go for a minimally processed dark chocolate with 70% pure cocoa content or higher.
Iron rich foods like spinach and other leafy greens help to reduce inflammation, which increases blood flow throughout your entire body, a must for a healthy libido.
Hot Peppers are known to boost your metabolism, and stimulate endorphins, resulting in a mood lifting effect that lessens pain and stress.
Vitamin C rich foods like broccoli, oranges, red peppers, and guava help to improve blood circulation to the organs, and is especially beneficial for women’s libido.
Collagen production decreases with age and therefore its ability to keep skin firm starts to waiver, which can result in issues with erections and vaginal wall elasticity. Incorporating bone broths, or a supplemental collagen powder, will help boost your collagen levels as well as your Vitamin C.
Supplements To The Rescue
Maca is a popular supplement for those struggling with low libido because it aids in balancing hormone levels, is rich in antioxidants, improves energy, mood, and overall female sexual health, and male fertility.
Ashwagandha Root is a beneficial supplement because it reduces anxiety and depression, improves thyroid function, aids with adrenal fatigue, balances hormones, increase testosterone, and reduce stress. All of which greatly improve conditions that have strong effects on libido.
Essential to Libido Health
Ylang Ylang is a very popular essential oil for balancing hormone levels. It also increases blood flow, is an antidepressant, helps decrease stress, and lessons PMS symptoms. It is beneficial for both women and men and can be defused, used topically, or used in household cleaners.
Cinnamon Bark Oil is said to be an aphrodisiac for both women and men, and is known to influence enzymes in the nitric oxide pathway increasing blood flow to the genitals. It is a “hot” essential oil, best defused or applied directly to the bottom of your feet.
Lifestyle Habits
Exercise is one of the lifestyle habits that can help to improve libido. With high intensity exercise the body releases endorphins resulting in a “runners high”. Weight training is also beneficial as it increases production of human growth hormone, improving blood flow, cognitive function, and mood. Regular exercise does wonders for boosting confidence, body image, body composition, and reducing stress and anxiety, all of which help to sustain a healthy libido.
Sleep is equally important in sustaining a healthy sex drive. Lack of sleep is known to lower testosterone levels in both women and men, and contributes to depression, making it a double threat to your libido.
Sources:
https://draxe.com/how-to-increase-libido/
https://draxe.com/ashwagandha-proven-to-heal-thyroid-and-adrenals/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4609357/
https://www.healthline.com/health/boost-your-libido-10-natural-tips#5
https://www.fitnessmagazine.com/mind-body/sex/libido-boosting-foods/?page=
https://draxe.com/ylang-ylang/
https://wendypolisi.com/21-uses-for-cinnamon-essential-oil/
https://splinternews.com/here-are-all-the-ways-sleep-deprivation-is-killing-your-1793846458
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