WHAT IS LIBIDO?
Libido is related to sexual desire. It is affected by the sex hormones and the sex related to center in the brain. Libido also has an impact on factors such as diet and attraction to someone. Bitterness in a relationship can also affect your sexual desire.
Apart from this, libido is also affected by certain conditions such as vaginal dryness in women or feeling pain during sex. Depression, loss of confidence, poor sleep and some medications can also affect libido. However, the level of sexual desire varies from person to person.
HOW TO INCREASE LIBIDO?
If you lack the desire to have sex or it is affecting your relationship, then you need help from a doctor. We understand your problem and are going to tell you various ways to overcome this problem, out of which you can choose the appropriate option for you.
MEDICINES TO INCREASE LIBIDO:
If you need medication, the doctor may consider giving you the following medicines —
If vaginal dryness is making your sex painful and you prevent yourself from achieving sexual pleasure, estrogen skin cream may help you. This is especially the case when estrogen levels decrease due to menopause or breastfeeding. Estrogen is also available in other forms, such as tablets or skin patches, etc.
Testosterone helps both men and women to think about sex and desire to have sex. So when testosterone levels go down, libido may decrease. A gradual decline in testosterone levels as you age is normal. In the case of this type of hormone deficiency, improvement is made with hormone therapy. Hormone therapy can be given in the form of pills, skin creams, gels or scrotal patches.
Hormone Treatment For Men: Although there is a clear link between testosterone production and male libido, but researchers have not yet discovered the exact nature of the relationship between them. If a person’s hormone level is clearly below normal, testosterone supplements may improve his libido and erectile function.
Hormone Treatment For Women: Many people do not know that women also produce testosterone naturally and this hormone affects libido in women. The natural decline of testosterone with aging may affect a woman’s sexual response, although a clear link between testosterone levels in women and low desire or other sexual problems has never been found. Although some doctors prescribe testosterone, information on its safety and efficacy for women is very limited.
Health problems such as high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis can affect your sexual health and lead to low libido. Therefore, treating them properly can help to restore your sex drive.
Your doctor may evaluate the medicines you are already taking to see if any of them are the cause of sexual side-effects. For example antidepressants such as Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and Fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem) can reduce your sex drive. So replacing them with a different type of antidepressant Bupropion (Aplenzin, Wellbutrin) usually improves sex drive.
Flibanserin was originally developed as an antidepressant. Flibanserin is a drug approved by the American Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of low sexual desire in pre-menopausal women.
One pill daily can boost the libido of women who experience low sexual desire. Possible serious side-effects may be low blood pressure, dizziness and fainting, especially if alcohol is taken while taking the medicine.
Experts suggest that if you do not see an improvement in your libido even after eight weeks of taking it, then stop taking this medicine.
Note — Do not take any of the above medicines without consulting any specialist. If you want to take any of the above medicines, then you should talk to a good doctor first.
HOME REMEDIES TO INCREASE LIBIDO:
Some of the home remedies that are useful for both men and women, including food and lifestyle changes, are as follows —
- Quit smoking or alcohol consumption
- Eat healthy meals including fresh fruits and vegetables
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day
- Include foods such as chocolate, blackberries, raspberries, cranberries, nuts, broccoli, cloves, figs, watermelons, eggs, ginseng, saffron, lettuce, ginger, oysters, etc.
- Get enough sleep
- Take care of stress management
- Yoga, massage and Shirodhara may be very helpful. Shirodhara is an Ayurvedic Panchakarma therapy used for stress management. Lack of libido can occur due to stress, depression, and social conflict. Shirodhara gives you relief from stress, anxiety and depression
FOODS TO INCREASE LIBIDO:
You can also get benefits by consuming certain foods; including —
Natural Aphrodisiac:
Bananas, figs and avocados are natural aphrodisiacs that are loaded with many vitamins and minerals. These can encourage more blood flow to the genitals and increase your sex drive naturally.
Vitamin-C Foods:
Vitamin C improves blood circulation of organs. It is therefore important to ensure that you consume foods rich in vitamin C daily.
Vitamin C is found in citrus foods in plenty such as lemon, orange, grapes, jackfruit, tomatoes, spinach and gooseberry.
Collagen Rich Foods:
Collagen production naturally declines with age. This phenomenon can make it difficult for men to maintain erectile dysfunction.
To increase your collagen levels, you can consume more bone broth or opt for collagen supplement powder. Vitamin C also helps to increase collagen production.
Sweet Potatoes:
Sweet potatoes or yams are full of potassium and vitamin A. Potassium can help with high blood pressures which more likely causes erectile dysfunction.
Watermelon:
In 2008, a research conducted at Texas A&M University showed that watermelon may have a Viagra effect. The phytonutrients known as lycopene, beta carotene, and citrulline in watermelon help in relaxing blood vessels.
Although, watermelon is not organ—specific like Viagra, but when you want to improve libido naturally, it can be helpful in sex without any negative effects.
Spices Like Nutmeg and Cloves:
Spices are full of antioxidants, which is good for overall health including libido.
Research published in the journal BMC specifically found that nutmeg and clove extracts enhanced the sexual behavior of male animal subjects. Clove is also useful in improving bad breath.
Dark Chocolate:
Research has shown that consumption of chocolate increases the secretion of phenolphthalein and serotonin, leading to some aphrodisiac and mood enhancing effects.
Just make sure you choose low-sugar and high—quality dark chocolate.
Brazilian Nuts:
Brazil nuts are high in selenium, which plays an important role in maintaining healthy testosterone levels.
Almond:
Almonds are rich in zinc, selenium, vitamin E, minerals and healthy fats. They can improve sexual health and reproduction.
AYURVEDIC REMEDY TO INCREASE LIBIDO:
According to Ayurveda, lack of libido creates hindrance to sexual intercourse. Mental health is also associated with loss of libido. Typically, depression and stress are associated with decreased libido.
According to problem and body types you must consult an Ayurvedic doctor for the right herbal combination. The following herbs are beneficial in loss of libido.
For Men:
Tribulus Terrestris:
Tribulus terrestris is very useful in enhancing the vitality and endurance in males. It increases male strength and performance. It can help to build mood and emerge from lack of libido.
Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera):
Ashwagandha for men is mainly required to increase testosterone levels, which causes an increase in libido levels.
It is also beneficial in impotence, infertility, sexual weakness, erectile dysfunction and other problems related to the male reproductive system.
Mucuna Pruriens (Kaunch Seeds):
Mucuna pruriens are quite useful in strengthening the erection of penis. It stimulates male hormones and helps in libido flow.
It is also helpful in low sperm count, impotence , infertility and early ejaculation.
Anacyclus Pyrethrum (Akarkara):
Anacyclus pyrethrum herb helps in controlling early ejaculation and male infertility.
It stimulates male hormones and increases sexual desire. Therefore, it is used in the treatment of libido deficiency. Some Ayurvedic medicines to increase libido are —
- Aswagandharishtam
- Saraswatharishtam
- Chandraprabha vatika
- Brahmi gritham
- Saraswatha gritham
- Aswagandhadi lehyam
For Women:
Asparagus:
Asparagus is one of the best herbs to increase libido in women. It balances the sex hormones in the female body and enhances reproductive health.
It is also beneficial in disorders such as uterine bleeding, menstrual problems, weakness, infertility and frequent miscarriages.
Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera):
Ashwagandha is also helpful in women to increase libido and stimulate sexual desire. It is an effective remedy for uterine weakness, frequent miscarriages and infertility in women.
Saraca Asoca (Ashoka Tree) Bark:
This bark can control vaginal discharge and uterine bleeding. It corrects harmonic secretions and maintains balance. It is also recommended in the lack of libido.
Ginkgo:
Stress is a common cause of lack of libido in women. Ginkgo relieves stress and is very helpful in mental disorders.
It helps to improve libido and may increase sexual performance. It is also very helpful in increasing blood flow around the genital organs.
SOME AYURVEDIC MEDICINES TO INCREASE LIBIDO IN WOMEN:
They are —
- Asokarishtam
- Kumaryasavam
- Saraswatharishtam
- Sukumaram Kashayam
- Chandraprabha vatika
- Saraswatha gritham
- Aswagandhadi lehyam
- Sowbhagya sundi
YOGA TO INCREASE LIBIDO:
Yoga is a natural remedy, which can help in loss of libido in both men and women. Yoga rugs are considered helpful to improve libido deficiency.
Yoga To Increase Libido In Men: Marjorie posture, bound Konasana, Kapotasana, Garudasana, Setubandhasana and Downward Home Swanson are useful.
Yoga To Increase Libido In Women: Sarvangasana, Halasana, Utthan Sirsasana, Utkata Konasana (Godse pose), Kapotasana and Setubandhasana are useful.
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