Can supplements save your sex life?

If you're reading this, you're likely wondering how to reignite your libido—or perhaps you’re simply curious about what might be getting in the way. Maybe you can remember a time when you craved intimacy, when the desire to connect physically felt natural and effortless. But now, rekindling that spark seems elusive, or frankly unappealing if you have symptoms that make it hard to get in the mood (ugh, vaginal dryness). Well, you’ve come to the right place for answers. If low libido has become part of your reality, you’re not alone. A staggering 38% of women best ed treatments in the U.S. report struggling with low sexual desire, according to a comprehensive study in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology. What's more, as you age, so does the likelihood of diminished libido—by the time women reach 65, three out of four report little to no desire.

Pharmaceuticals for Premenopausal Women

What can you do to increase libido? Low sex drive affects about 4 in 10 women, increasing in midlife and peaking after menopause. Many things factor into your sexual desire—fluctuating hormone levels, lifestyle habits, mood, underlying health conditions, relationship factors, and more—but there are many ways to improve the situation, especially if menopause-related issues are the root cause. While libido is complex, there are many things you can do to amp things back up. Learn how to increase sex drive, plus libido-boosting supplements for women, relationship help, and more. But here’s some good news: You can turn things around.

Many things can make sex less exciting for women throughout life, and especially during menopause, including problems in the areas of desire, arousal, orgasm, and pleasure, says Midi’s chief clinical officer Mindy Goldman, M.D. Unfortunately there are still many societal taboos around discussing sex, says Goldman, making women less likely to bring it up with their doctor. “Women should know that sexual concerns are normal and can be addressed,” says Dr.

Why Low Libido Happens: Understanding the Bigger Picture

But an earlier study didn’t find any improvement. Tribulus also may help get you more interested in sex. After using it, some women reported better lubrication and orgasms and generally more satisfying lovemaking. Research shows that when it comes to aphrodisiacs, it's mostly in our heads—they work if we think they will. This might be due to the placebo effect.

What could we be doing naturally to promote or improve our circulation, with regards to libido?

A placebo is an inactive substance, such as a sugar pill, given to someone who is under the impression it is a drug. It's often used by doctors when testing whether a new drug really works—one group of patients gets the new drug and the other gets the sugar pill, with neither group being aware of which one they got. Sometimes people feel better just from taking the sugar pill. The “placebo effect” is when a person's physical or mental health seems to improve just from taking a placebo treatment. So if you think eating raw oysters will give a jolt to your sex drive and sexual stamina, your anticipation of this powerful effect can help it come true.

Hey, I'm Anique

While it may be OK to experiment with gel erectile dysfunction different aphrodisiac foods on your own, you should talk to a doctor before trying aphrodisiac herbs and supplements. Some well-known substances touted as aphrodisiacs are too dangerous to try. Several studies have shown that this can be possibly deadly. Spanish fly comes from the blister beetle and contains a poison called cantharidin. It can cause kidney damage, genital and gastrointestinal bleeding, and burning in the mouth, among other things. Goldman. “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.

Why Libido Is Not a Single Switch in Women

These may be brewed in a tea or taken as an herbal supplement. Talk to your doctor before adding herbs to your diet. Here are herbs that some people have used to try to increase their sex drive: This herb comes from fan-shaped leaves on trees found throughout Asia. It may increase blood flow to the genitals and improve sexual function in men and women. One study in women showed an improvement in sexual excitement when ginkgo was paired with sex therapy.

2. Mindfulness and Meditation

Some studies say ginseng may heighten sexual excitement in postmenopausal women and help men get and hold an erection. Red ginseng is particularly popular as an aphrodisiac. A review of several studies on red ginseng showed that it may work for erectile dysfunction, but further research is needed. Another study found ginseng was only slightly more effective than a placebo (dummy drug) for keeping an erection. People who are pregnant or have certain cancers shouldn’t take the herb.

5: Improve your diet and nutrition

This root vegetable grows in the Andes Mountains in South America and is usually ground into a powder. In a 12-week study, men reported an increase in desire after treatment with 3,000 milligrams of maca. But more research is needed before this claim can be proven. This is an herb that’s been used as an aphrodisiac in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine. One study showed that it helped sexual function in men with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction. 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. 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 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.

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. 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.

Why has my libido decreased?

This is a dangerous substance sometimes used as an aphrodisiac. It comes from the nectar of a rhododendron bush and is contaminated with a poison called grayanotoxin. It can cause heart problems, confusion, and other serious symptoms. If you take mad honey and feel sick, get medical help right away. This is made from the bark of a tree that grows in parts of Africa.

1. Try Hormone Therapy

It’s been used as an aphrodisiac for centuries. It supposedly can help men get erections. But yohimbe has been linked to heart attacks and seizures. If you have any sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction, vaginal dryness due to menopause or reasons, or a lack of interest in sex, it's best to talk to your doctor, rather than just trying an aphrodisiac. They may be able to suggest a drug, therapy, or some other treatment that has been proven to work on your sexual issue. 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.

• Include soy products in your diet for their phytoestrogens, which may help balance hormones.
• Maintain intimacy routines, such as date nights, to foster sexual interest.
• Avoid smoking, as it narrows blood vessels, impairing arousal and desire.
• Take supplements like D-aspartic acid, which may support hormone production.
• Limit exposure to endocrine disruptors found in plastics and pesticides.
• Practice mindfulness to stay present and enhance sexual pleasure.
• Listen to your body and avoid pressure; comfort promotes natural desire.

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.

• Regular exercise boosts blood flow and energy, enhancing female libido naturally.
• Maintain a balanced diet rich in omega-3s, zinc, and vitamins to support hormonal health.
• Manage stress through meditation or yoga to prevent libido decline caused by anxiety.
• Prioritize sleep to regulate hormones like testosterone and estrogen, essential for desire.
• Communicate openly with partner to improve intimacy and emotional connection.
• Limit alcohol intake, as excessive drinking can decrease sexual desire.
• Herbal supplements such as maca or ginseng are believed to boost libido in women.