How to fix low libido

When we’re struggling with a low libido, we often think that everyone else is having lots of wild sex!  Whilst research in the UK certainly doesn’t suggest this to be the case, low libido is something many women are concerned about, especially as they approach menopause.

The good news is that powering up your nutrition can really make a difference.

Essential Fats

The omega 3 fatty acids are termed essential because the body cannot make them; they need to be eaten in the diet every day.  Omega 3 fats are primarily found in oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines, together with flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds and walnuts.  However, if people don’t like fish, then vegetarian sources are not as efficiently absorbed by the body, so a supplement should be taken.  In terms of libido, these essential fats have a myriad of uses in the body. Most importantly, they produce hormone-like compounds called prostaglandins which are essential for healthy hormone production, especially the sex hormones needed for desire.  It’s always best to take these as a supplement to ensure you’re getting sufficient omega 3’s. 

Rhodiola

The herb Rhodiola is an adaptogenic herb that tends to work in the body where it’s most needed.  Traditionally, Rhodiola is used for stress and fatigue but it has also been found to help low libido. As with many herbs, its exact mode of action is not fully understood but the active compound, rosavin, appears to work on the brain’s neurotransmitters, helping to support the stress response and regulate mood; stress in itself suppresses libido in any case.  Rhodiola is widely available as a Licensed Herbal Medicine in health food stores – look for the THR logo on pack.

Arginine

The amino acid, arginine, naturally found in turkey, pork, pumpkin and soya, can exert powerful changes to nerves and the brain’s neurotransmitters, by encouraging the release of nitric oxide (NO). NO is a strong vasodilator, encouraging blood flow around the body, and, especially to the sexual organs.  This can be particularly beneficial in men with erectile dysfunction, but it also encourages good blood flow to female genital areas. Although arginine is commonly found in a number of foods, it needs to be taken in supplement form to gain its real benefits.

Zinc

The trace mineral zinc plays a crucial role in fertility and reproductive health.  It’s essential to enable men to produce healthy sperm but is also helps balance female sex hormones, thereby encouraging desire.  Zinc is fairly widely available in a number of foods, especially red meat and organ meats, but it is not so easy to obtain if you’re vegetarian and it can easily be lost from foods during cooking and processing.  Therefore, if you want to ‘ramp-up’ your libido then be sure to take either a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement containing zinc or a supplement which provides at least 10 mg of zinc.

Damiana Leaf

Damiana is native to Central and South America and Mexico and has long been established as a sexual tonic in both men and women.   It appears to work in a number of ways; primarily it enriches oxygen supply via the blood stream to the genital areas.  It, therefore, increases sexual arousal, as well as helping nervousness, anxiety and energy levels, all of which can negatively affect sexual desire.  As with so many herbal tonics, their mode of action is not totally understood and there is much more anecdotal evidence for effectiveness than actual human research studies; however, it is widely sold as a supplement, available in most good health food stores, and is also known as Damiana Aphrodisiaca, so it’s clearly being used successfully by many!