How to Boost Your Libido

How satisfying would you say your sex life is? Either with a partner (casual or serious), or solo, several studies suggest that we’re simply not getting enough affection. So if you’re feeling like you need a boost. You’re not alone. Libido, or your sex drive, will vary between different people. It’s also completely normal for your libido to fluctuate over time. Having a lower sex drive isn’t necessarily an issue, but if you’re looking to boost your libido, you can try some pretty effective natural methods. There are many factors that can have an effect on your libido. Anxiety, hormone fluctuations, relationship problems, health issues, and age can all affect your sex drive. While low libido isn’t usually a major issue, it can affect a person’s relationships and self-esteem. Even though libido issues are fairly common, it’s not something you have to live with, and there are lots of tricks, tips, and ways to improve your sex drive. Some folks might assume that a waning sex drive is a result of no longer being attracted to your partner when the reality is that the biggest roadblock is typically stress.

Manage Stress and Anxiety

Nothing is harder than feeling sexy when you’re actually just feeling stressed or anxious. In actuality, anxiety has been proven to worsen sexual issues. People with an intense work schedule, caretaking responsibilities, or any other life stress may feel fatigued and, as a result, experience libido issues. Anxiety and stress can also make it more difficult for someone to get or maintain an erection, deterring a person from having sex. A 2017 review of erectile dysfunction showed that depression and anxiety can result in reduced libido. Adding a cock ring can help with erection issues but managing stress and anxiety is the goal. Since there are actually many different types of anxiety disorders, and they impact the people who deal with them in a multitude of ways it can be daunting. Ways to manage anxiety include different forms of therapy, taking anti-anxiety medications, or natural solutions like meditation. If you deal with anxiety and also are feeling anxious about sexuality, it can impact your libido even more. In this case, managing your anxiety, in general, should help regardless.

Confidence is key

The way you feel about your body can absolutely affect the way you feel about sex. You can work on boosting your self-esteem and in turn your sex drive by shifting the focus from your perceived flaws to the features you enjoy. Simply focus on the things you like about your body and remember that if someone is in the room with you, they want to be there! You can also focus on the pleasure experienced during sex. Another way to deal with bad body confidence is to practice body neutrality, which is the idea of accepting your body as it is, without trying to love it when that doesn’t feel possible, and for being grateful for the functions that it can perform.

Kegels for Strength and Pleasure

You probably know all about workouts for your biceps, but if you have a pelvic floor, it also deserves a workout. Strengthening your pelvic floor can not only improve your genital health but can also improve your sex life. To try a kegel exercise, squeeze your pelvic muscles for five seconds, followed by five seconds of relaxation. With daily practice, you can hold for up 10 to 15 seconds. If you’re a vulva owner you can also try kegel balls to help improve strength. For penis owners, you can add a towel to your erection when bouncing it to add weight when doing kegel exercises to level up.

Be Well Rested

If you live a hectic lifestyle and don’t always have the time to get the right amount of sleep it can absolutely affect your libido. One reason is that hormone secretion is controlled by the body’s internal clock, and sleep patterns help the body determine when to release certain hormones. Being busy also just makes it difficult to make time for sex. If you’re someone who has to balance work with caring for aging parents or young children you’re likely often left exhausted, which can lead to a reduced sex drive. Boost your energy and sex drive by taking naps when you can and eating a healthy diet high in protein and complex carbohydrates.

Let Foreplay be the Priority

Having more fulfilling sexual experiences may increase a person’s desire for sex, which in turn can boost their libido. In many cases, people can enhance their sexual experiences by spending more time just touching, kissing, using sex toys, and performing oral sex. Take the focus off of penetration and slow down and enjoy the experience.

Herbal Remedies can Help

While there is not much research into the effectiveness of herbal remedies in improving libido, some people will swear by them and many cultures have used them for centuries. A 2015 review study shows promising data that the following herbal remedies may improve sexual function:

maca
tribulus
gingko
Ginseng
damiana

Keep in mind when using herbal substances that you should always consult your doctor, especially to check if it might interact with any medications you’re currently taking.

Have your Hormone Levels Checked

Hormones are chemical messengers in the body that play many important roles, and can affect sleep quality, metabolism, mood, and more, including your sex life. Sex-related hormones, like estrogen and testosterone, can of course affect libido. Many people experience a dip in libido at menopause when estrogen levels tend to diminish. Estrogen replacement therapy may help some people. Vaginal dryness is another symptom of menopause. Using lubricants during sex can help increase pleasure and comfort. Libido is also related to testosterone levels, which will naturally decline with age. Testosterone replacement therapy can result in improved libido, reduced depression, and improved erectile function, according to one 2017 review

Another thing to take a look at is your medicine cabinet. Your prescriptions could be the root of your lower libido. Aside from birth control pills, common offenders include medications for high blood pressure, GERD, anxiety, and depression. If you think a medication is the culprit, discuss your concern with the prescribing doctor. It’s possible that another medication may be prescribed with fewer or different side effects.

Libido Enhancing Foods!

Unfortunately, while no magic food exists that will instantaneously increase your sex drive, there is plenty of science behind the concept of aphrodisiac foods. These foods work by getting you key nutrients and good qualities. Unfortunately, nothing will magically push your button to want to sex

Some foods that are good for boosting libidos are:

Zinc-rich foods, which regulate testosterone and stamina, such as oysters, red meat, and pine nuts
Stamina and circulation boosters like fresh produce, whole grains, and legumes
High flavonoid foods that help prevent sexual dysfunction, such as citrus, peppers, tea, and cocoa

Basically eating an overall well-balanced diet, meaning lots of clean protein and plant-based fiber, can promote heart health and good circulation, which can increase libido. Either way, It can’t hurt to experiment with how you feel after eating foods that are thought to have aphrodisiac effects, but an overall nutritious diet helps keep your libido healthy.

Talk to a Doctor

Don’t hesitate to seek your doctor’s help, especially if you’ve tried all measures to increase your libido and nothing works. Everything from medications to medical conditions to hormonal changes can affect libido, so the best person to help would be your doctor. And if your doctor doesn’t prioritize your sex drive or take concerns seriously, it’s time to find a new doctor! Most importantly, you deserve pleasure, and a healthy sex drive is your right. No matter the root cause, if you’re not satisfied with your sex drive and can’t figure out why seek out someone who can.