What exactly is the libido?
In other terms, libido is simply your sex drive. It refers to your appetite or lack thereof to have sex. If you are in the mood to sleep with someone, your libido is high. However, if you would rather catch up on sleep, your libido is most likely low.
A lot of men and women suffer from a lack of libido at some point in their life. It is hard to determine a “normal sex drive” because it varies from person to person. However, if your low libido is affecting your relationship, it may be a good idea to ask for help.
Causes of Low Libido
How can you tell that there is low libido in women?
Here are a few signs:
- You rarely have sexual thoughts or fantasies.
- You don’t have any interest in doing any sexual activities, including masturbation.
- You are concerned by your lack of desire to do sexual activities or have sexual fantasies.
- If you have confirmed that your libido is low, it is important to know what causes this to boost libido in women. Many aspects of your life can affect your sex drive. Physical, hormonal, psychological, or relationship causes may play a part in your low libido.
1. Physical causes include:
- Non-sexual medical diseases (cancer, high blood pressure, neurological conditions, arthritis, etc.)
- Prescription drugs (certain antidepressants)
- Lifestyle habits (drinking alcohol, smoking, etc.)
- Exhaustion and fatigue
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Menopause
- Stress
- Low self-esteem
- Negative sexual experiences in the past
- Mental health problems (depression, anxiety, etc.)
- Unsettled fights
- Poor communication in preferences and needs during sex.
- Trust issues
- No connection with your partner.
- Whole grains and fiber
- Seafood, legumes, and nuts
- Fruits
- Healthy oils like sunflower and olive oil
- Sexting
- Reading erotic stories
- Using sex toys
- Listening to erotica
- Fantasizing
- Watching pornography
2. Hormonal causes include:
3. Psychological causes include:
4. Relationship causes include:
10 Ways to Boost Libido in Women
Here are ten ways on how you can bring back the mood:
1. Take libido-enhancing supplements
There are some drugstores, health-food stores, and online retailers that offer products for sexual health. Some ingredients that you should lookout for are vitamin C, vitamin B5, and
l-arginine.
A study published in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy showed that two-thirds of the female participants had a boost libido in women after taking a supplement that contains ginkgo biloba, vitamins, ginseng, and l-arginine.
2. Eat vegetables
Another way to get your daily dose of vitamins is through eating your green vegetables like kale, asparagus, spinach, and broccoli that have a lot of vitamin C.
This vitamin can boost your circulation and give you more energy supply, which fuels your adrenal glands. These glands are responsible for the boost libido in women. It also produces important hormones such as cortisol (stress hormones) and sex hormones.
According to the American Heart Association, foods that are good for the heart are good for circulation. Some food examples are:
3. Exercise
Doing daily exercises will make you feel good and look good. Moving your body has multiple benefits like detoxification and a boost in hormones, neurotransmitters, and endorphins (adrenaline, serotonin, etc.).
Additionally, exercising can also lead to weight loss, increased stamina and endurance, and muscle toning. These effects may lead to increased female libido, enhance performance, and better orgasms. Some exercises you can do are gym workouts, yoga, running, and weight training.
4. Learn what turns you on
For some people, high libido does not occur right away. You may need to get aroused first before you reach an increased sex drive. For you to get there, it is okay to experiment on things that may turn you on.
You may try:
5. Prioritize sleep
Sleep is important. Lack of sleep may affect you in so many ways, like your behavior, health, and sex drive.
6. Talk to your partner about your concerns and comforts
The idea of having sex may be daunting to you as there are a few things that could be concerning, such as pregnancy, STIs, and unwanted pain. Make sure to talk to your partner about these to boost libido in women and make sure this experience is as pleasurable as possible.
To ease your worries, you may use hormonal birth control, condoms, and lubricant. If ever you have orgasm issues, you can visit a urologist to find out why that is.
7. Try eating aphrodisiac foods
Some cultures explore aphrodisiac herbs as a natural way to boost libido. These herbs are believed to increase good chemicals in your brain and stimulate nerves around your genitals. A couple of aphrodisiac herbs include cordyceps, muira puama, and chinese ginseng.
Chocolate is also a popular aphrodisiac, but consuming this may cause a sugar high that may lead to a crash. Other healthier aphrodisiacs are bananas, almonds, and hot chili peppers.
8. Manage your stress levels
High levels of stress affect most aspects of your life. This includes your libido as well. When you are stressed, your stress hormones (cortisol) rise, which obstructs your sexual arousal.
A survey conducted by the BBC indicates that 45% of respondents admit that stress can strain one’s sex drive. To have a boost libido in women, you should discover your way to manage and cope with stress. You can consult with a mental health practitioner to help check-in with yourself.
9. Work on relationship issues with your partner
When your relationship is not going well, it is unlikely that either of you would want to have sex regularly – resentment and hurt feelings are not good bed companions! Communication is vital, and working through your issues together will make both of you more open, causing less tension and, ultimately, bringing you closer.
10. Consult with a therapist
Sometimes, low libido in women is due to psychological reasons. With this, a general therapist or sex therapist may be able to help you overcome these underlying issues. Addressing the source of your troubles with body image, trauma, or shame is a small step in boosting your libido.
Conclusion
The level of libido varies from person to person. It is not a concern when your sex drive is low. There are multiple reasons why this may be occurring.
It may be due to relationship difficulties, age, or anxiety. Low libido may affect your self-esteem and relationships. Hopefully, these tips on the natural ways to boost libido can help you get back on track.
