S-E-X: You can’t get enough of it in your 20’s, and then at some point in life, it can start to feel like it’s a chore. Other things just seem much more appealing during those few minutes of downtime, like taking a nap, or watching a little reality TV, or even just getting the laundry done.

What can you do about your libido?

Many factors can affect sex drive, such as whether you are in a relationship or not, how you are getting along, body image satisfaction, dietary intake, medication use, depression or history of sexual abuse.

But if you don’t have any of those issues, how come you still aren’t in the mood?

Looking forward to spicing up your sex life? There are a variety of things you can do in your everyday life that can help. 

What exactly is the libido?

Libido is just another name for sexual desire or sex drive.

A variety of internal and external factors can affect your libido, from your hormone levels to your medications to your sleep habits.

Everyone’s libido is different, but most people see their libido decline as they age.

Hormones affect sex drive in females

You need to know that about ¼ of women of reproductive age and ½ of postmenopausal women suffer from decreased libido. So if you think you are alone in this, you are not. It’s normal for sex drive to decline if you’ve been in a relationship for a while or are getting older.

What are hormones? 

Hormones are chemical messengers that the endocrine glands produce and release into the bloodstream. Sex hormones are those that play an essential role in sexual development and reproduction. 

Sex hormone levels fluctuate throughout a person’s life. Factors that can affect the levels of female sex hormones include age, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, stress, medications, environment etc. 

Role in sexual desire and arousal

Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone all affect sexual desire and arousal. Having higher levels of estrogen in the body promotes vaginal lubrication and increases sexual desire. Increases in progesterone can reduce sexual desire.

There is some debate around how testosterone levels affect female sex drive. Low levels of testosterone may lead to reduced sexual desire in some women. However, testosterone therapy appears ineffective at treating low sex drive in females.

Even if the hormone that dictates sex drive hasn’t been exactly identified, we all know that hormones such as estrogen and testosterone, are abundant when we are younger, and diminish as we age.

And from nature’s perspective, this is logical because we don’t need to keep trying to make babies once we hit a certain stage of life.

Foods affect sex drive.

One of the factors that might affect sex hormones is our dietary intake. 

Eating foods rich in omega-3 fats help support nerve and neurotransmitter actions that aid in sexual functions while foods rich in zinc such as pumpkin seeds, chickpeas, spinach, and eggs support proper and speedy blood flow to all the right places.

However, a diet that lacks essential vitamins and minerals and is filled with chemical preservatives and sweeteners might have the opposite effect on your mojo.

For instance, research shows that processed, chemically-derived food products such as diet soda can increase the risk of weight gain and cause hormonal dysfunction, leading to weakened sexual desire. 

Inadequate fat consumption from low-fat diets can significantly lower testosterone levels, making it more difficult to get in the mood.

Separately, regular meat and dairy products from animals that are grain-fed and injected with hormones may slow digestion and meddle with the body’s natural hormonal balance.

So what is the best diet for a natural sex drive? A varied, whole-food-based nutrition plan that emphasizes organic plant foods, healthy fats, and well-sourced animal products is a crucial initial step to correcting a diminished sex drive. Your libido can also get a boost from certain herbs and supplements.

 Some Foods and Herbs That May increase libido for women

 1. Ginseng

Ginseng refers to eleven different varieties of a short, slow-growing plant with fleshy roots. Ginseng is gathered to restore and enhance wellbeing. The herbs consist of a light-coloured, forked-shaped root, a relatively long stalk, and green leaves with an oval shape.

Ginseng is believed to boost energy, lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, reduce stress, promote relaxation, treat diabetes, and manage sexual dysfunction. Looking for another easy-to-find supplement? Ginseng has many potential health benefits.

 Try eating certain fruits

Little evidence supports the effectiveness of certain fruits, but there’s no harm in experimenting. Figs, bananas, and avocados, for example, are considered libido-boosting foods, or aphrodisiacs.

These foods also provide vital vitamins and minerals that can increase blood flow to the genitals and promote a healthy sex life. 

Apples

Believe it or not, apples may have a positive effect on female sex drive. One study found that women who consumed an apple a day reported a better quality of sex life.

While this sounds promising, this study only suggests a correlation between apple consumption and sexual health.

It’s not clear if eating apples directly affects sexual function. Plus, there are no other major studies on whether apples may increase libido.

 Red wine

Red wine is a widely recommended aphrodisiac. In addition to its other potential benefits, red wine may also improve sexual function, according to studies.

However, it’s important to note that these findings were self-reported by a small sample size. Plus, other studies suggest that consuming too much alcohol may have the reverse effect on libido, so moderation is key.

Related Post: Foods That Stimulates the Female Hormone (Oestrogen)

 Potatoes

Potatoes are another popular aphrodisiac, despite the lack of scientific evidence. However, both potatoes and sweet potatoes are full of potassium, meaning they offer the same health benefits as bananas.

 Fenugreek 

Fenugreek is one of the plants that is cultivated worldwide and whose seeds are commonly used in South and Central Asian cuisine. The seeds are rooted in Ayurvedic medicine where they have been celebrated for their anti-inflammatory and libido-boosting effects. Some studies show the herb positively influences sex hormones by increasing the activity of both testosterone and estrogen in the body. 

 Red clover

Red clover is a legume plant known as a herb that increases sex drive in some people. This is a plant high in isoflavones, a type of phytoestrogen (aka plant estrogen) that is similar to female estrogen. Because of this, it’s often used to relieve menopausal symptoms or naturally boost libido. 

Natural Tips to Boost Your Libido 

1.  Boost your self-confidence
2. Stick to one glass of wine
3. Take time to meditate and relieve stress
4. Get plenty of sleep
5. Keep your relationship in check
6. Consult a doctor

Final thoughts on how to naturally increase sex drive

• Different factors can affect sex drive in women, such as whether or not you are in a relationship, how you are getting along, body image satisfaction, dietary intake, medication use, depression or history of sexual abuse.
• High levels of cortisol (a steroid hormone)suppress our sex hormones, which can lead to a lower libido.
• Introducing therapeutic practices like meditation and yoga can go a long way in reducing cortisol levels and may help naturally increase your sex drive.
• Herbs and supplements can help improve libido naturally, but it is best to speak with a doctor to help you determine which is best for your needs.