Libido means the desire for sex. The sexual drive depends on one woman to another, and there is no right or wrong level. There is also no normal when it comes to how frequently you have sex. How frequently one has sex depends on their life circumstances and preferences. It is considered normal when your sexual drive fluctuates due to medication, health, hormone levels, lifestyle changes, and relationship dynamics.
Most women encounter low libido at some point in their lives. Low libido may be over a long time or short-term, for example, in a rocky relationship, after giving birth, or during a stressful point in their life. Sometimes even a busy life can affect your sex life. However, if the level of your libido is worrying or affecting your relationship, you can seek professional help to help boost your desire. Figuring out what is affecting your libido and trying different approaches to deal with it is critical to help find a solution.
The importance of libido in our life and health
Research has proven that sex is very valuable to our health as it activates several neurotransmitters that affect our brains and other organs in our bodies. Some of the benefits of a healthy sex life include:
- Better sleep
- Increase in intimacy with your sexual partner
- A lower blood pressure
- Improved immune system
- Natural and instant pain relief
- Reduced stress
- Improved heart health which lowers the risk of heart disease
Libido levels can be affected by
- Abuse of alcohol and drugs. Although a glass of wine assists in getting you in the mood, alcohol abuse can affect your sex drive negatively.
- Diseases. Ailments such as cancer, heart and kidney diseases, and infections such as UTIs can reduce the response to sex.
- Life circumstances. Some life situations can make sex become a low priority, therefore, affecting the desire for sex. Examples of such cases are family responsibilities and work pressures.
- Medication. Some prescription medicines like antidepressants, high blood pressure, and oral contraceptive pills affect the levels of your hormones. A reduction in hormone levels can reduce your sexual drive.
- Hormones. During menstruation, hormones usually fluctuate throughout the cycle. High libido typically occurs during and before ovulation and slightly less intense sex drive during the period.
- Estrogen. When estrogen is high, there is an increased desire for sex and vice versa. For instance, estrogen levels are elevated during pregnancy, leading to increased libido, and during breastfeeding, there is decreased sexual desire due to lower levels of estrogen.
- Progesterone. It works like estrogen, where the higher the progesterone levels, the higher the libido. It is usually seen to increase during pregnancy and decrease during menopause.
- Growth hormone. The growth hormone is known for increasing the sex drive and improving sexual performance in both men and women. When the HGH for women decreases with age, they often experience a reduced sexual desire, dryness of the vagina, and other issues.
- Menopause. Early, surgical, natural, premature, and induced menopause all have signs that are caused by changes in the levels of hormones. Some women may gain weight, therefore, changing the shape of their body, which can make them self-conscious and feel less like sex. They may also experience night sweats and hot flushes, which affect their sleep routine, making them tired and less interested in sex.
Five ways to boost your libido
- Reduce stress and anxiety. When dealing with stress and anxiety in work, finances, or daily hassles, it is crucial to find a better and healthy way to cope as it can help enhance your sex desires.
- Build healthy relationships. Work on your relationship with your partner by communicating and building trust. Trust creates a vulnerability that allows you to talk about the issue and work on finding a solution. For instance, if sex is painful, you may be able to find a workaround that makes you comfortable.
- Limit alcohol and drug intake. Alcohol and drugs have proven to reduce sexual desire. If you want to improve your libido, it is essential to reduce the amount of alcohol intake in your body.
- Exercise. Consistent strength training and aerobic exercises can help improve the image of your body, boost your stamina, and improve your mood leading to an increased libido.
- Medicine. Some medications can be used to improve your libido. The FDA approves some drugs, but some like, the hormone therapy, are not. It is essential to conduct thorough research and consult a specialist before you make a decision to use them.
- Consult a doctor. If you are unhappy with your sex drive, you can visit a doctor. A doctor may recommend changes in your lifestyle, relationship, and nutrition. Some medication can also be prescribed to you if need be.
Conclusion
In summary, libido varies from one woman to another, and there is no such thing as a standard as different women have different preferences and life situations. However, you may notice a change in your libido levels caused by hormones, medication, illnesses, or life circumstances.
Knowing what is affecting your sex drive is essential as a healthy sex life is very beneficial to your health. Fortunately, there are a number of ways one can boost their libido through lifestyle changes and medicine. For further professional advice and consultation, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a doctor and schedule an appointment.
