Female Libido Boosters: Separating Fact from Fiction
The choice is yours if you’d like to try them to see if they benefit you. These types of gummies aren’t considered harmful, so even if it’s just the placebo effect that has you feeling more perked up, take it. Still, before choosing any supplement, it’s important to purchase those that are third-party certified, which ensures that they are labeled correctly and do not contain contaminants.
What Are Aphrodisiacs?
Getting your body moving at the gym (or anywhere, frankly) can help amp up the energy elsewhere. One study found that women who engaged in frequent physical activity had an up to 80% reduction in the chances of having low libido. Exercise helps you in a variety of ways: It has a positive impact on hormones and your nervous system that promote mental and physiological arousal, plus it’s a bonafide mood and body image booster, notes research. (When you’re feeling yourself, you may also be more likely to say ‘yes’ to sex.) You know the feeling of having a high-stress day where you’re left frayed and frazzled? The last thing on your mind might be having sex with your partner.
Panax Ginseng
Research shows that higher amounts of daily stress is linked to lower sexual activity—and lower relationship satisfaction, too. Improving stress management by lessening stressful situations, scheduling time for self-care (in whatever way that looks like for you), getting enough sleep, exercising, and eating well can all help improve your erectile dysfunction treatment mental health and mood. Sleep affects your overall well being in so many ways, including your sexual desire. Think about it: If you’re conked at the end of the day, do you really want to expend the energy to have sex? But here’s the kicker: Getting good sleep is related to higher libido the next day. Doing so helps you stay safe when taking them—a must even when they’re available over-the-counter.
| Product | Dosage | Quantity + Bonus | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viagra Original | 100mg | 76 + 4 Pills | 306.59€ 291.99€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 10mg | 270 + 10 Pills | 338.09€ 321.99€ | |
| Kamagra Oral Jelly | 100mg | 110 + 9 Sachets | 334.87€ 318.92€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 100mg | 120 + 6 Pills | 149.50€ 142.38€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 60mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 145.06€ 138.15€ | |
| Viagra Oral Jelly | 100mg | 30 + 5 Sachets | 115.76€ 110.25€ | |
| Apcalis SX Oral Jelly | 20mg | 70 + 7 Sachets | 184.98€ 176.17€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 50mg | 270 + 8 Pills | 198.48€ 189.03€ | |
| Viagra Original | 100mg | 48 + 4 Pills | 207.15€ 197.29€ | |
| Cialis Super Active | 20mg | 90 + 10 Pills | 314.14€ 299.18€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 150mg | 120 + 8 Pills | 177.58€ 169.12€ | |
| Kamagra Gold | 50 mg | 84 + 6 Pills | 224.77€ 214.07€ | |
| Levitra Original | 20mg | 92 + 4 Pills | 406.22€ 386.88€ | |
| Viagra Original | 100mg | 4 Pills | 40.94€ 38.99€ |
Supplements are unlikely to be the answer to your libido problems.
- Consuming foods like dark chocolate and strawberries can stimulate dopamine and desire.
- Yoga can reduce anxiety, improve mood, and enhance sexual confidence.
- Regular physical activity increases circulating testosterone, supporting female libido.
Your health, life stage, lifestyle, and relationship are all pieces to figuring out exactly why your desire is down—and how to get it back up. Most women benefit from a treatment plan that's more holistic, including a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and maybe even some supplements, to get your libido back on track. There are many science-backed options available to you to get your sex life back on track.
How to natuarally boost the female libido?
In fact, getting just one extra hour of sleep was associated with a 14% increase in the odds of engaging in sexual activity with a partner, according to research in The Journal of Sexual Medicine. Women who got more sleep also reported better genital arousal. When searching for solutions for low libido, you may have come across libido gummies, which are supplements (in gummy form) that contain ingredients that, companies claim, improve sexual desire and function. Products differ across the board but they may include a combination of the following: These herbs are added to libido gummies for one of several reasons: They may help reduce stress and anxiety, are considered an aphrodisiac, improve blood flow, or are linked to enhanced sexual desire. There is, however, a lack of evidence showing that libido gummies will effectively improve your sex life (or desire for one), and individual data on many of these ingredients is also lacking, conflicting, or shows limited evidence. Midlife women in the menopausal transition often benefit from hormone replacement therapy (HRT), especially if you’re besieged with symptoms that may be interfering with intimacy. (Some experts now use the terms hormone therapy (HT) or menopausal hormone therapy, or MHT).
- Clitoral stimulation and foreplay improve arousal and enhance female desire.
- Addressing underlying health issues like depression can improve libido through treatment.
- Avoiding medications that decrease libido, such as certain antidepressants, is advisable.
The name is a tad misleading because you’re not replacing any hormones in your body so much as you’re giving them a little boost. “Adding back just a tiny percentage of the hormones your body made during your peak reproductive years “is all that is needed to gain so many benefits,” says Midi’s Chief Medical Officer Kathleen Jordan, MD. Available in a pill, patch, vaginal ring, topical cream or gel, the medication tadalis oral jelly provides small doses of estrogen (plus progesterone if you have a uterus) to your body.
| Rank | Supplement Name | Key Benefits | Typical Dose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maca Root | Energy, hormonal balance | 1-3 grams daily |
| 2 | Damiana | Mood enhancer, aphrodisiac | 100-200 mg daily |
| 3 | Ginseng | Vitality, stamina | 200-400 mg daily |
| 4 | Fenugreek | Libido support | 500-600 mg daily |
| 5 | Tribulus Terrestris | Hormonal support, libido enhancement | 250-750 mg daily |
Estrogen deficiency in menopause is linked to a low libido, as well as vaginal dryness and thinning that make sex uncomfortable and painful.
- Adequate hydration supports overall health and energy, indirectly aiding libido.
- Reducing stress hormones like cortisol can help maintain healthy libido.
- Evening primrose oil may improve vaginal dryness and enhance sexual comfort.
Research suggests that HRT can improve sexual desire and symptoms like vaginal dryness.
Unicorn juice?
“That’s why it’s especially important to find a provider who is knowledgeable and comfortable and open in discussing these concerns.” So, how can you get your libido back? We’ll break down everything you need to know about low libido, natural ways to increase it, plus medical treatments, relationship fixes, and more. At Midi, our clinicians have heard—and treated it all—so they can help you regain your spark and interest in sex. Libido is simply a word to describe sexual desire, or how much you want to engage in sexual activity. You can have a high libido, meaning you have a high sex drive.
Lifestyle and relationship changes
You can also have a low libido, which means a low sex drive. During perimenopause and menopause, declining levels of estrogen can take your typical level of desire and tank it. Not to mention that a decrease in estrogen can also cause vaginal dryness and thinning that make sex uncomfortable and painful. Of course, it’s important to remember that levels of desire are so individual, varies from person-to-person, and can shift throughout life. And then there’s how your low libido can affect your relationship—especially if there’s a mismatch in sex drive with your partner that's putting a real dent in both of your lives.
What are signs of low libido?
If low libido lingers for a long time, you may be diagnosed with hypoactive sexual desire disorder, or HSDD. HSDD is defined as “a persistent or recurrent absence of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity, causing personal pills to increase sex drive male distress or interpersonal difficulties.” That last part—personal distress/interpersonal difficulties—is really important. When your low libido is making you feel unhappy or causing issues in your relationship, then it’s something to take steps to treat. (You’re in the right place, keep reading!) The symptoms of low libido can include: Reduced or lack of desire for fantasies and sexual stimulation Inability to maintain desire during sexual activity Loss of desire to initiate or participate in sexual activity Avoidance of situations that can lead to sexual activity Making things more complex are all of the factors that influence your sexual desire, including: Physical causes: Hormonal changes like menopause, which can affect vaginal tissues in particular, leading to discomfort; stage of life, such as postpartum; medications; and underlying medical conditions like thyroid disease. Psychological causes: Stress, anxiety, depression, past trauma, and more. “We know that declining estrogen levels that occur with menopause can affect individual women differently,” says Dr. Goldman. “About 50% of menopausal women will get symptomatic Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause, or GSM. This collection of symptoms is due to declining estrogen and can include symptoms like vaginal/vulvar dryness, burning, pain, sexual dysfunction as well as urinary symptoms.” All things that can do a real number on your libido.
| Food Item | Nutrients | Benefits | Serving Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avocado | Healthy fats, potassium | Boosts energy and hormone production | 1/2 avocado |
| Dark Chocolate | Flavonoids, phenylethylamine | Enhances mood, increases blood flow | 1-2 oz |
| Oysters | Zinc | Supports hormone synthesis | 3-4 oysters |
| Figs | Amino acids | Increase blood flow | 3-4 figs |
If you’ve also been experiencing menopausal symptoms like night sweats and hot flashes—which can wreak havoc on your overall wellbeing—HRT can be a huge help.
| Medication Group | Examples | Potential Impact on Libido | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antidepressants | SSRIs, SNRIs | Often decrease libido | May require therapy or medication adjustments |
| Hormonal Contraceptives | Birth control pills | Variable, sometimes decrease libido | Consult with healthcare provider |
| Blood Pressure Medications | Beta-blockers | Possible libido reduction | Alternative options may be considered |
| Anabolic Steroids | Testosterone creams, gels | Can increase libido | Should be used under medical supervision |
HRT relieves hot flash symptoms by up to 90 percent. To inject some life back in your libido, testosterone supplementation during perimenopause and menopause might just be your ticket to reviving your missing mojo. Testosterone is the spicy hormone behind your sex drive, and according to a major study on postmenopausal women, testosterone therapy can effectively reverse low desire.
Diagnosis and Testing: When Low Libido Needs a Medical Lens
Lifestyle factors: Poor diet, lack of exercise, sleep problems, and more. Understanding how you're faring in all these categories will help you identify the root cause(s) of your low sex drive—and what you can do to start to bring the heat back up. When you’re ready to make a changes to restore your sex drive, you can start with some of these natural solutions for a higher libido: Everyone “knows” that oysters are known to be an aphrodisiac, but you definitely don’t have to eat them to get in the mood. Eating in a healthy, balanced way—shout out to the Mediterranean Diet—reduces inflammation, decreases the risk of metabolic syndrome, and helps maintain a healthy weight, all of which keep blood vessels healthy—which impacts genital arousal. (Blood flow to vaginal tissues is key for vaginal lubrication.) Limiting your sodium intake, in particular, enhances the ability of vessels to dilate.
What increases libido naturally?
And a special shout-out to tofu and edamame: Soy intake has been also shown to help boost vaginal blood flow and lubrication, which is especially helpful if you’re experiencing vaginal dryness and irritation. Other foods that have been shown to help with sexual health thanks to their effects on the vascular system or vaginal lubrications: watermelon, apples, and cacao. Vaginal dryness, irritation, and pain during intercourse affect 50% of women after menopause. If vaginal dryness and irritation is a big part of your libido nosedive, it’s time to buddy up with vaginal moisturizers and lubricants. Vaginal moisturizers, which you can apply a few times per week, work by improving moisture in vaginal cells so that you’re naturally more hydrated.
Raw oysters
Midi clinicians recommend the vaginal moisturizing products by the brands Good Clean Love and Revaree by Bonafide. Vaginal lubricants, on the other hand, are products that you use during sexual activity. These products make penetration more comfortable and a whole lot more enjoyable. If you’re using condoms, you’ll want to ensure that the lubricant you’re using is also condom compatible. (That includes silicone- and water-based lubes, but often not oil-based ones.) No matter what OTC product you’re using, make sure that it’s fragrance-free (and, if a lubricant, also free of colors and flavorings) to protect the health of your vagina.