Whole Foods

Eating healthy has many benefits, only one of which is balancing hormones, which can improve sex drive and function in some people. A huge boost to testosterone would be to ensure you are getting enough zinc in your diet. Men need about 11mg while women need about 9 mg, unless pregnant or breastfeeding. During times of reproductive events, pregnancy or breastfeeding the need for zinc increases to a range between 11 to 14 mg depending on age of the mother. Real foods that contain zinc are oysters, chicken legs, pork shoulder, pork tenderloin and baked beans.

Another key nutrient necessary to produce adequate amounts of the proper hormones is cholesterol. Many people do not understand what this valuable substance is useful for or that it is necessary in small quantities for our health. Without an adequate supply of cholesterol, our hormones cannot be manufactured. Cholesterol can be found in any food animal and it not produced in plants.

When trying for proper gland function and hormone production, another nutrient is often overlooked. A group of several nutrients, trace minerals, is very important to proper function in the body. Ensuring the endocrine system works at peak performance by including these into the diet has been shown to regulate hormone production optimally. 

Any real food that gives you energy and a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals can be a sexual desire and performance booster. Many natural foods in their raw state offer vitamins and mineral that the body can change into what is needed making them the safest for nearly anyone. Remember to keep heavy or filling food intake moderate at most. Overdoing it with these types of foods can have a negative effect on every health aspect, including sexuality.

Supplements

There is a wide variety of supplements to improve a low libido. A good first step for most people is simply to add a general multivitamin to their daily routine if they are not already doing so. For those looking to supplement optimally, a good place to start would be liquid vitamin supplements. These are available in a multivitamin variety or exclusively vitamins or minerals.

To further help raise a low libido, some may choose to augment their daily nutrition with herbal products that target the specific areas related to the sex drive, namely hormone regulators and aphrodisiacs.  There are hormone-regulating supplements that are designed for general health, for women of childbearing years, women at menopause and after, and men. The supplements of this variety for men are generally labeled as being helpful for prostate health.

Women most commonly think of their menstrual period as the beginning of their cycle. This is in fact not true; it marks the end of the cycle as no pregnancy has occurred. Once their bleeding has started, the new cycle can begin. This starts with hormones in the brain being released. Those hormones trigger other hormones that trigger still more that go to the ovaries to begin making eggs.

Recent studies have taken women with a self-proclaimed healthy libido and tested various levels of hormones throughout their cycle. Blood was drawn in three phases – preovulatory, ovulatory, and luteal. During the preovulatory or prefertile phase of the cycle, the hormone released is from the hypothalamus and is called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). This hormone heads to the anterior pituitary to let it know when to start sending out its follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This begins the ovaries’ creation of follicles, where the egg develops. As of yet, there is no cause for an increased sex drive, so during this time a low sex drive could be considered normal.

During the second phase of the menstrual cycle, one follicle becomes dominate over all the rest that have been attempting to develop due to the FSH and begins to secrete estrogen to ripen the egg further. Recent studies show that during this time there is also a rise in testosterone levels in the woman. With a ripe egg and hormones bursting at the seams, this is the time of the greatest level of libido.

Once the egg has been released, due to the production of yet another hormone called Luteinizing Hormone (LH), the levels of estrogen slowly lower while progesterone, released by the follicle now turned corpus luteum, begins to increase. After at most twenty-four hours, the egg dies if it was not fertilized, and the corpus luteum begins to disintegrate. Once it is withered and the progesterone is done being manufactured, the cycle is over and bleeding can once again commence. During this time, the libido may once again be low due to the lowering of estrogen and testosterone.

Studies are currently being undertaken to determine the extent of these hormones mid-phase on libido. Other factors do play a role in libido as well. These factors can include relationship status, general health, medications, and more. Hormone levels are not the end all of libido levels, but can provide a clue when deficiencies exist. For women with cycles longer than the average of 28 days, this information can provide comfort when it has been three weeks since the cyclic bleeding and no desire for intimacy has been apparent.

Soul Searching

This could be a big deal for some people and there are many ways to go about accomplishing it. Soul searching can lead one to discover where the problem of low libido first came to be and therefore how to conquer it. This may not be an easy task if upon meditation you discover something dark from your past is the culprit but you can then take the steps to discover the right corrections for your individual case.

Exercise

Everyone always hears exercise as one of the pat answers to solve many problems. That is not the discussion here as people who exercise extensively can be afflicted with low libido for that very reason. What we want to do here is strike a balance with dietary intake. Not getting enough exercise for the foods we eat can keep our energy levels low, as well as many body chemicals levels necessary for proper sexual function. Getting more exercise than our dietary intake amounts can also keep these same chemicals low because there is nothing left to produce them from the foods we eat.

Diet

Most people see the word diet and freak out. They complain diets are so difficult to stick with or perhaps they are not overweight so have no need to diet. That is not what I am talking about; I am referring to optimizing intake of foods for health, even with the possibility of optimizing for sexual health. Including certain foods such as seafood and fresh fruits and vegetables has been shown to increase sexual desire and function in those not allergic. Adding aphrodisiac foods on occasion has also been shown to help improve libido. Make sure to drink enough water to keep yourself hydrated, too. 

Dietary Supplements

There are many supplements on the market that are targeted for sexual, reproductive, women’s, men’s, prostate health issues. Many of these regulate hormones that may be out of balance causing low libido. Some mood enhancing herbs may also have this affect. Read labels and speak with someone knowledgeable about herbs to find something that is right for you. If you have any other medical conditions or take medications, check multiple sources for interaction information before using these products.

Jump In

Jump in the bed that is. Sometimes not having sex in our relationship can become a comfortable habit. Making love with your partner can remind you of how much you enjoy being together intimately if it has been some time. If the sex has dwindled to nothing due to boredom, inventing or adapting new games for intimate uses could be fun, as can role-playing fantasies. If fantasies are scarce, watching or reading sexual material may help kick-start some imagination.

Antidepressants

Many brands of antidepressants are known to cause sexual dysfunctions including low libido. The type of medication is called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRI. They work by blocking serotonin from being used by neurotransmitters in the brain. The common brand names for these antidepressants include Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, Celexa, and Prozac. While not a SSRI, bupropion, known as Wellbutrin or Zyban, has also been used to treat depression (in the case of Zyban, smoking cessation) with sexual side effects. These have been reported not as severe as the other antidepressants although there is an effect nonetheless.

Hypertensive medications

Medications to treat high blood pressure have been long known to create sexual dysfunctions in men, though some medications are reported to increase desire in some. Researchers are only beginning to study the effects of cardiovascular disease and its treatments on women, so there is no information available. Diuretics and beta-blockers are known to cause sexual dysfunction in men by reducing the blood flow to the area or inhibiting the nervous system reactions to arousal. It makes sense these medications could affect women similarly causing low sex drive, arousal and orgasm problems. Brand names for diuretic medications include Aprinox, Diurexan, and Lasix. Some brand names for beta-blockers are Inderal, Levatol, and Cartrol.

Other medications

There are multitudes of other medications that are known to lower libido. These include medications to treat conditions of alcohol withdrawal and ulcers. Narcotic pain medications have been shown to decrease libido as well. Hormones such as is found in birth control have also been shown to decrease sex drive in women. Various interactions for those on a regimen of medications may also play a role in lowering libido.    

Cures

With all this information about medications that lower sex drive, it is important to explore which medications are available to increase it. There is much knowledge of medications available to men for improving sexual relations. These medications, such as Viagra and Cialis, increase the blood flow to the genital area. This has the effect of improving desire, arousal, and performance/orgasm. Using these medications to treat women is currently being studied. In cases where testosterone is lacking in both men and women, simple replacement therapy has shown to be successful.

If you or your partner is on any of the medications known to decrease libido, a review and discussion of alternative medications found to have less sexual side effects may be warranted. If you or your partner is on any medications not listed, talking with your doctor about how those medications work in conjunction with the physiology of sex may uncover the desired information.

Hyposexual Desire Disorder

HSDD, as it is called, affects men and women, though women tend to suffer this disorder more frequently. The basic definition of this disorder is a lack of or diminished interest in anything sexual in nature. This includes fantasizing, initiating activity, or enjoyment of sex. Many times this is due to hormone imbalance but can be affected by psychological conditions as well. As desire for a sexual relationship is first in the chronological events leading to a satisfying sexual event, many believe this is the worst sexual disorder to experience. This is the definition of low libido or low sex drive.

Sexual Arousal Disorder and Erectile Dysfunction

Sexual arousal disorders can be frustrating for the people experiencing them. Their partners will not be having a picnic with their lover afflicted either. Try as they might, the sensation is minimal at best and the responses that would be desired and expected are marginal at best. For women, this means they cannot get into the moment, experience no natural lubrication, and can even be caused pain when trying to have an intimate moment. For men, this means there is no erection experienced, and in the case there is one, it is not a full erection or does not last the desired duration, without orgasm occurring. These situations can be due to low levels of certain hormones or neurotransmitters that are required for the physical processes to take place. Psychological issues may also play a role.

Orgasmic Disorders

In general, orgasmic disorders affect men and women in varying capacities. When referred to as a women’s dysfunction, the guidelines for making a diagnosis are very strict. Most women diagnosed with this condition have never experienced an orgasm. Moreover, like all other sexual dysfunctions, the lack of satisfaction must cause the woman personal distress. There will be tests given on the function of the anatomy in question to determine if there is an abnormal or absence of response to stimuli.

For men, this could include premature ejaculation. Premature ejaculation occurs less frequently than many couple may believe. Defined as ejaculation either before intercourse or within one minute of beginning intercourse for most or all sexual encounters, premature ejaculation can cause serious relationship problems for many couples.  This condition has many possible causes and few solutions. Doctors believe it could be caused by sexual experiences during youth whereby the afflicted member was rushed to avoid being caught. Other causes include endocrine disorders affecting glands such as the thyroid or resulting in low testosterone levels.

When women experience menopause, they are often afflicted with symptoms that are becoming well known. Hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweats, and mood swings may all be suffered by the perimenopausal woman. Low sex drive is often thought of as a symptom of menopause as well. In most situations, this is simply not the case. Low sex drive in these women may stem from many other reasons such as a fight with her significant other, or the discomfort may make sex painful. These causes make low sex drive a secondary or unrelated condition when related to the state of menopause.

For aging men, testosterone levels slowly decline, though in most not enough to halt sperm production. They can experience some distressing symptoms themselves such as weakness or lack of energy and mood swings. Andropause takes much longer to occur than menopause and could be such a steady decline over the years that the effects are barely noticed, at least along the journey.  Once the effects are noticed by the man himself, or his loved ones, many people think it is too late. That would be a false belief, as there are many ways to improve the situation for men.

For the people suffering menopause or andropause, there is a cure. Hormones only require a few vitamins and minerals to be manufactured properly according to many nutritional sources. B complex, zinc, cholesterol, protein, and vitamin E all play a role in the process that leads to sexual desire and ability to perform. Ensuring enough of these nutrients is easily done with a multivitamin and a healthy diet. Eating foods that help the body manufacture the diminishing hormones can alleviate the symptoms preventing them from wanting sex. Natural hormone replacement may also be something to try. These supplements do not give you the hormone; instead, they give you the tools your body needs to manufacture the diminished hormones. This is by far the healthiest and safest way to go about it.  

For women, there are also topical creams that may help with the issue of vaginal dryness. These contain estrogen, the missing hormone, which helps lubricate the area. This in and of itself could increase sex drive dramatically. These types of creams come in a natural, herbal variety you can buy over the counter. There are also stronger varieties that you can get from your pharmacist. Ask your doctor for advice and details for these types of products to find the treatment for you.

Distressing

It must cause remarked distress. This effect must be felt by the person with the condition. Although the medical industry is beginning to understand the negative consequence such a condition can have on a long-term relationship, your partner’s misery is not taken into consideration. An example of this could be that of a new mother that is breastfeeding her baby. Normal lows in hormones, being tired, and learning how to fit the new baby in with everyday life can take its toll. She may not feel like or be interested in sex. Her partner may be feeling it has been too long, the doctor said it was ok, and is getting frustrated with the lack of action. This does not fit the clinical description of low libido. On the other hand, if after the baby is older and the mother has adjusted to her role as mother, her periods return to normal and she is still lacking any desire for sex and it bothers her that is happening, we would have something to work with. This leads us to the next symptom to be considered.

Ongoing

The situation of lack of desire has to be going on for quite some time. Many months and sometimes even longer without is often a deciding factor to perform further evaluation. Continuing our example above, the mother quit nursing the baby at the average time of one year. Within a couple of months, her menstrual cycles have returned to normal. Her schedule of activity has lightened up; she has adjusted to the new responsibilities. By all appearances, she should be ready to enter once again into a sexual event because she wishes to share that with her partner. Somehow, that is not the case. A few more months go by; she is starting to wonder if she should be feeling amorous. This would be a good time for her to discuss this with her doctor. Lack of sex drive has lasted for quite some time and it is starting to bother her that her desire is not what it used to be.

To summarize the symptoms that warrant further evaluation of low libido it must be an ongoing problem. Once or twice or a week when other things may be conflicting will not allow for a clinical diagnosis. The ‘unaffected’ partner being frustrated with lack of sex or extra work towards arousal does not make for a clinical diagnosis. The person who is experiencing this lack of desire for sex must be experiencing it for quite some time and it has to be bothering or worrying largely to qualify for further investigation into the cause.

Individual Contentment

It is common for a vicious cycle to form regarding libido, self-image, and function. Libido diminishes, making the person feel bad for not wanting a sexual encounter, or for not performing at peak levels. This, in turn, can lower self-esteem to a point that causes a fear of performance failure. Who wants to have a sexual encounter when feeling that way? Many do not. To prevent or cure this type of issue would be a huge benefit of seeing a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.  

Relationship

Lack of a sex life can hamper a committed relationship in areas other than the bedroom. Frustrations can mount when no one else is causing conflicts that are difficult to resolve. These can affect many areas of the relationship. While communication can help prevent or resolve some of these, time will take its toll on the couple. Seeking medical attention for low libido can then prevent or at least add validity to the complaints about low libido. It can also prevent the partner of the person with low libido from having self-image issues themselves as outlined above. 

Discover Other Treatable Illnesses

Several common health conditions can cause low libido. If you are undiagnosed with any of these, your health in general may be at risk. Visiting a doctor for low libido and mentioning other symptoms that you may be experiencing can actually go a long way towards improving your health in general. Some conditions that have low libido as a symptom include an array of heart conditions, diabetes, depression, and reproductive organ issues including some cancers.

Treatment Helps

When getting a diagnosis and treatment for any condition, it is helpful to understand what can be improved with treatments. For those suffering from low libido that undergoes treatment, their quality of life greatly improves. Where there was once no energy there is now an abundance to do many things that may have been put off or delayed. Strength that seemed to diminish may return, and moods certainly improve. In addition, of course, their relationship will be greatly enhanced as new freedoms can be found and new frontiers conquered.

When an underlying medical condition has been discovered and corrected, there are hosts of other improvements that may be felt. For those afflicted with psychological causes of low libido, a feeling as if the weight of the world has been lifted is an exciting feeling. Seeking testing and diagnosis can be lifesaving. It can also improve the status of your relationship or prevent it from needing improving. When seeking medical attention for low libido, the first step would be to make an appointment with your regular doctor, who can then steer you in the right direction for affective treatments.

Reinvent Old Ideas

Implementing forgotten ideas into a relationship that is bored and in a rut can be the first step to realizing your low sex drive is simply boredom. A revamped sexual experience can be exciting and make the relationship feel similar to how it was in the beginning. The easiest way to start would be reviving forgotten positions.

Make it Special

Arranging a special date night with your lover can go a long way when trying to reconnect. Make a big deal out of it. You could even implement some role-playing strategies even if simply reliving how you met or the date that ended with your first time being intimate together. When anticipating the event you think about it and can therefor build up excitement. When the day arrives, special preparations can also enhance the evening.  Dress up as for a special occasion, or dress provocatively to enhance the mood.

Make Out

There is much to be said about the art of kissing. Petting is not so bad either. When intercourse becomes an actual goal instead of simply showing each other affection, it can lose its thrill. Cuddling and feeling each other’s closeness while being determined not to go farther than agreed on raises a level of frustration that can be healthy if not taken to extremes. Since low libido includes not thinking about sex or fantasizing, this can help in that area as well.

Try Something New

After years of the same sex, it can be difficult to come up with ideas for adding excitement. You may read books or visit websites that say pretty much what has been said above, and you may have tried it with limited improvement, only to fall back into the same rut you were in before. You may even have started looking to pornographic materials for inspiration only to be discouraged by some of the activities. Another idea would be to speak with real couples that have gone through what you are.

Try Something ‘Crazy’

A great place explore that option would be to join a sex club. This fills many of the ideas mentioned above and in other articles or books that you may have read. Contrary to popular belief, these places are not full of predators looking to score. The people that enjoy sex clubs are very open-minded, secure in their own relationships, and are very helpful to new couples that join. A great benefit to joining one of these clubs, most are member only facilities, is there are generally toys and activities available to members they may want to try but cannot obtain or enjoy them in their everyday lives.