Libido is an important part of daily life and involves a complex relationship between psychological and biological mechanisms. There are various factors that affect libido which will be explored in this article, along with lifestyle changes and supplements to help boost sex drive.
What Can Cause Low Libido?
A clear link has been found between states of low mood and low libido, as well as periods of high stress causing low libido. Common mood disorders such as depression and anxiety can have a negative impact on sex drive.
Ageing is another main cause of low libido; as we age, the levels of sex hormones reduce. For women, this means reduced oestrogen and testosterone in the pre, peri and post-menopausal stages of life. For men, this equates to reduced levels of testosterone. Higher testosterone levels usually equates to a higher sex drive. Ageing can also come hand in hand with regular medication use, which in turn can have the knock-on effect of reducing libido.
In younger women, it is possible for the contraceptive pill can cause a reduced libido. The combined contraceptive pill contains oestrogen, which at certain levels can reduce the sex hormone testosterone. Similarly, there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that libido is reduced when taking ‘mini-pill’ (progestogen only pill) regularly. However, it is important to note that not all women are affected negatively by the regular use of contraceptives.
Lifestyle & Libido
Lifestyle changes are also important when tackling low libido – behaviours that are health promoting such as regular exercise and a diet rich in plant foods and grains can help to improve your general mood. Foods high in unsaturated fats can help to improve sex drive. This includes foods like brazil nuts, avocadoes, and oily fish.
Meditation can also help to create a feeling of internal balance and calm. Behaviours such as high alcohol consumption and smoking can have a negative impact on libido, as not only do they effect mood, but they can also have biological side-effects (erectile dysfunction is a common effect of high alcohol intake.)
The Testosterone Link
As mentioned previously, low sex hormones can be one cause of low libido. Low testosterone can occur at any point in life, not just with increased age. Poor gym performance, increased fatigue, and loss of your usual ‘spark’ can all be signs of low testosterone. A supplement targeting several of the contributing factors can help to improve not only testosterone levels, but also energy levels and immune function.
For a supplement that covers all bases, try Stimulate For Men. These capsules contain zinc, which can help to boost testosterone levels. This means that not only libido may improve, but also any symptoms of erectile dysfunction that may have subsequently occurred. Oyster extract has the potential to boost dopamine levels in men, which is one of the ‘happy’ hormones. Feeling happier is likely to encourage a strong and active libido!
