The topic of sex and libido in our society is often considered taboo. We have all seen the drug commercials, the ones of a couple on a mountain top sitting in bathtubs holding hands, and we get all squirmy inside because it makes us uncomfortable. Forget about actually talking about it!
But the reality is that 43% of women and even more men experience loss of libido at some point in their lives. That stat rises as we get older and our hormones change however in the last 20 years an average 20 year old male has the same testosterone level as a 70 year old man. Yikes!
How can we combat low sex drive naturally without reaching for a quick fix? First of all, talk to your partner about it. Maybe they can help and support you while trying these natural top tips for combating low libido!
Eat Libido-Enhancing Foods
Eat foods that are high in essential nutrients such as steak, eggs, wild caught salmon, oysters, avocado, berries, raw honey and carrots just to name a few. Limit or eliminate alcohol.
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
Zinc-rich foods, which regulate testosterone and stamina, such as oysters, red meat, and pine nuts.
Limit Libido-Lowering Foods
Foods that can improve your sex drive are known as aphrodisiacs, and foods that can reduce it further are called anaphrodisiacs. Similar to how aphrodisiac foods can't magically put you in the mood for sex, anaphrodisiac foods are equally unlikely to take you right out of that mood.
But, in the opposite vein, as aphrodisiac foods offer nutrients that improve sexual function, anaphrodisiac foods have nutrients or attributes that can decrease your sexual health. Those foods include:
High saturated fats, as found in fried foods, lead to clogged arteries and reduced blood flow
Soy, which can increase estrogen
Polyunsaturated fats, such as vegetable oil, can reduce testosterone levels
High sodium, which increases blood pressure
Foods that require insulin to process, such as white flour and sugar, can reduce testosterone levels
Exercise
Getting regular exercise can reduce stress, increase blood flow, and flood the body with feel-good hormones like endorphins. It's no wonder that exercise can help boost libido, too. There are numerous ways that physical activity serves to improve sex drive, and they include positive body self-image, improved cardiovascular health and mood, increased sympathetic nervous system activity, and improvement of one's endocrine system.
Sleep
Get more sleep. Turn off the electronics well before bed time and relax. Practice good sleep habits that work for you.
Limit stress
Stress and sex don't mix well, whether it's work stress, money stress, or relationship stress. Of course, you can't snap your fingers and make stress disappear. To keep it at bay, make these practices a regular part of your life: Practice mindfulness or take a course in mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR); stay physically active; practice deep breathing; and be sure to take time out for fun and relaxation throughout the week.
Sometimes there are medical reasons for having a low sex drive. Make sure you are speaking to a healthcare professional if you think that is the case.
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