Or maybe they need some time to try out a few playlists until they find just the right one to get them in the dancing mood.
- Libido can be suppressed by hormonal imbalances.
- Social factors and cultural attitudes influence desire.
- Libido peaks during certain life stages.
- Open relationships may have different impact on desire.
- Physical touch and affection can stimulate libido.
- Medical conditions like thyroid issues affect desire.
- Nutritional deficiencies can diminish libido.
- Women with higher self-esteem tend to report higher desire.
- Overcoming past trauma can positively influence libido.
- Mindfulness can help women reconnect with sexuality.
Different people have different preferences — whether we’re talking music or life between the sheets. And whether your sex life is thumping party jams or tasteful light jazz, there’s nothing wrong with it … if that’s what you choose. But what if it’s not working for you anymore? What if what you’re looking for is a sex life that’s a little bit rock-and-roll, but you can’t seem to dial up the volume these days? A low libido can leave you feeling lonely, frustrated and unfulfilled in your relationships. Fortunately, there are ways to get your music bumping again.
MonaLisa Touch: Designed for intimate wellness
Family Nurse Practitioner Internship - Saint Louis University, 1999 Family Nurse Practitioner Internship - Saint tadacip 20 tablet Louis University, 1999 APRN, Certified Nurse Practitioner, North Dakota, 2024 APRN, Certified Nurse Practitioner, North Dakota, 2024 APRN, Certified Nurse Practitioner, Rhode Island, 2024 APRN, Certified Nurse Practitioner, Rhode Island, 2024 Family Nurse Practitioner - American Nurses Credentialing Center, 2000 Family Nurse Practitioner - American Nurses Credentialing Center, 2000 Lean Six Sigma, Green Belt Certification, 2015 Lean Six Sigma, Green Belt Certification, 2015 Family Practice Medicine, specializing in chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension, obesity). Additional support and treatment of mental health diagnosis and men’s and women’s health. Family Practice Medicine, specializing in chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension, obesity). Caring for the whole person—understanding that true health extends beyond physical symptoms—has always been central to my work. As a nurse and family nurse practitioner, I’m passionate about empowering individuals to live their healthiest lives, physically, emotionally, and socially.
Nutrition supports hormone balance and energy
Delivering compassionate, comprehensive care is not only my profession—it’s my purpose. In my spare time, I enjoy staying active and connected to nature through skiing, hiking, and spending time outdoors. I’m also an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and find joy in reading, sewing, baking, and creative hobbies that keep me inspired outside of work. Medications and therapy can help get your groove back Image content: This image is available to view online.
1. Hormonal Treatments
People in bed sleeping at night, caught up in their sheets. We all have different ideas of what an active and fulfilling sex life looks like. Think of your sex life like driving to your favorite tunes: Some people drive around with their music full blast, singing along at any hour of day or night to whatever comes on. Other people keep the volume a little lower. Some people really only enjoy a few select songs or artists. “It’s not at all uncommon for your sexual interest to change and get in the way of enjoying a healthy and fulfilling sex life,” says Ob/Gyn Salena Zanotti, MD. “But you don’t have to live with low libido.
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| Apcalis SX Oral Jelly | 20mg | 17 + 4 Sachets | 95.52€ 90.97€ | |
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There are options to increase sex drive that can be very effective.” But it can be particularly common in women, in part because of hormonal makeup, as well as societal expectations regarding sex and sex drive. Dr. Zanotti explains why females commonly experience low sex drive, and what options are available to increase your libido. There are a number of reasons your sex drive may shift into neutral. Physical changes can do a number on your sexual interest.
6 Expert Methods to Increase Female Libido
The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7(4), 1336-1361. Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: A Review of Epidemiology, Biopsychology, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Sexual medicine reviews, 4(2), 103–120. Chronic stress and sexual function in women. The journal of sexual medicine, 10(10), 2443–2454.
Hormonal Issues
The Effects of Acute Exercise on Mood, Cognition, Neurophysiology, and Neurochemical Pathways: A Review. Brain plasticity (Amsterdam, Netherlands), 2(2), 127–152. Women's sexual arousal: effects of high alcohol dosages and self-control instructions. Hormones and behavior, 59(5), 730–738. Smoking is associated with worse mood on stressful days: results from a national diary study.
You’re on birth control
Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, 36(3), 259–269. Sexual satisfaction is associated with sexual communication, mood setting, sexual variety, oral sex, orgasm, and sex frequency in a national U.S. study. Journal pills for men of Sex Research, 54(2), 186-201. Sexual Desire Discrepancy: A Position Statement of the European Society for Sexual Medicine. New medications and other changes to your health can impact your interest in getting frisky. Your age may be a consideration, too, as low sex drive is commonly associated with changes that happen in perimenopause and postmenopause. And for some people, issues in how your body responds to sex and sexual arousal can keep you from getting in the mood — like muscle tension, blood flow and lubrication.
- Regular sexual activity can maintain healthy libido.
- Libido may decrease due to aging or menopause.
- Certain neurological conditions affect desire.
- Creative and novel experiences can boost libido.
- Healthy relationships nurture sexual desire.
- Darkness or low lighting often enhance arousal.
- Supplements like maca root are believed to improve libido.
- Hormonal fluctuations are a common cause of desire changes.
- Some medications can increase libido as a side effect.
- Listening to music may increase sexual arousal.
Additionally, emotional struggles can relegate sex to the back burner, especially if you’re living with concerns like: And in other cases, you can experience reduced sexual desire for no obvious reason — a condition sometimes called hypoactive sexual desire disorder. “Low libido can stem from any number of concerns, and there may be more than one issue at play,” Dr. Zanotti explains. “The important thing to remember is that you’re not alone and that low sex drive isn’t a reflection on you or your relationship.” Depending on the reasons for your decreased sexual interest, there are medications and other options available that may help you get your groove back. “Low sexual desire is often multifactorial, and medications may not fix it all,” Dr. Zanotti acknowledges. “It’s important to investigate the causes.
| Food Item | Effect on Libido | Key Nutrients |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Chocolate | Boosts serotonin and mood | Phenylethylamine, Enzymes |
| Oysters | Rich in zinc, supports hormone production | Zinc |
| Avocado | Improves circulation and boosts energy | Vitamin E, healthy fats |
| Red Wine | Can enhance mood when consumed moderately | Resveratrol |
| Ginseng | Traditional supplement for libido | Ginsenosides |
Medication, along with seeing a sexual therapist, can be very helpful for various sexual dysfunction issues.” Dr. Zanotti explains some options to increase female libido. This prescription pill has been available since 2015. Flibanserin (brand name Addyi®) is taken nightly and can ramp up sex drive, Dr. Zanotti explains. It may cause drowsiness and shouldn’t be taken within two hours of drinking alcohol.
| Factor | Effect on Libido | Suggestions |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | Open communication enhances desire | Foster honest dialogue |
| Emotional Intimacy | Stronger bonds correlate with higher desire | Invest time in connection |
| Sexual Satisfaction | Better satisfaction encourages desire | Explore preferences |
| Trust | Increased trust enhances comfort | Build and maintain trust |
Don’t expect fireworks to happen immediately, though. The medication takes about two months to start working. But you may find it’s worth the wait. Vyleesi® is an on-demand prescription medication — as in, take it when the mood is right.
- Libido varies between individuals, no “normal” level.
- Chronic stress is a major libido suppressor.
- Using lubricants can enhance sexual comfort.
- Being comfortable in your body promotes desire.
- Open discussion about needs improves intimacy.
- Some women report increased desire during pregnancy.
- Fatigue from work reduces interest in sex.
- Support from partners enhances libido.
- Regular health check-ups can detect issues affecting desire.
- Sexual self-exploration can boost libido awareness.
(Or at least 45 minutes before you anticipate the mood being right.) Vyleesi is an injectable medication you use in your thigh or abdomen. Vaginal dryness can sometimes cause pain during intercourse, which can affect your sexual desire.
| Sign | Description | Possible Causes |
|---|---|---|
| Decreased Sexual Desire | Reduced interest in sex | Hormonal, psychological, medical factors |
| Lack of Arousal | Less physical or emotional response to stimulation | Stress, medications, health issues |
| Avoidance of Intimacy | Steering clear of sexual activity | Anxiety, relationship issues |
| Fatigue or low energy | Reduced energy levels affect libido | Sleep problems, health issues |
If vaginal dryness is contributing to your low interest, you may find relief with vaginal estrogen or a vaginal DHEA suppository. That is, an insert that you place in your vagina daily. It’s a hormone treatment that’s been shown to be effective in managing vaginal dryness. That may help increase genital sensitivity in postmenopausal females especially. But some people find that it can increase libido as a happy side effect.
The Role of Emotional Health and Relationships
Every person’s sex drive is different, meaning there’s no such thing as a “normal” sex drive for everyone. However, if you feel unhappy with your level of interest in sex, it’s often worth taking steps to increase your sex drive and enjoy a more fulfilling sex life. Low sex drive or libido can fluctuate and change due to a number of factors, such as health conditions, mental health, sexual health, lifestyle habits, stress and more. Symptoms of a low sex drive can vary by person, but often result in reduced lubrication, difficulty achieving orgasm, loss of sexual desire for your partner and more. Persistent low libido is referred to as hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
6. Diseases
There are several ways to boost libido, such as reducing stress, improving your relationship, making certain lifestyle changes, talking with a therapist, regular exercise, hormone tests and female libido supplements. A low sex drive can definitely be distressing. But there are plenty of ways to increase libido. Talk to your healthcare provider to rule out any underlying causes like medication use or hormone levels. Or if you’re interested in working through this issue with a mental health professional, you can start by trying our mental health services.
Questions your doctor may ask
Lifestyle Choices Can Augment Female Sexual Well-Being. American journal of lifestyle medicine, 12(1), 38–41. Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sexual Dysfunction. Indian journal of psychiatry, 59(Suppl 1), S91–S115. The Relative Health Benefits of Different Sexual Activities. It may be prescribed off-label for low sex drive, regardless of whether you’re living with depression.
- Women may experience increased libido during ovulation.
- Libido varies widely among women and over time.
- Meditation and mindfulness can improve sexual desire.
- Safe sex practices contribute to a positive libido.
- Libido can be affected by relationship quality.
- Some women experience libido enhancement from acupuncture.
- Vitamin D deficiency may be linked to low libido.
- Obesity can impact hormone levels and desire.
- Libido is influenced by both physical and emotional health.
- Women’s libido can be improved through counseling.
While medications may address some of the physical aspects of getting you “in the mood,” emotional support can help, too.
Birth Control & Low Libido
Group mindfulness-based therapy significantly improves sexual desire in women. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 57, 43-54. An investigation of the relationship between physical fitness, self-concept, and sexual functioning. Journal of education and health promotion, 7, 57. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7(2), 964-970.
What can cause low libido in women?
Role of hormones in hypoactive sexual desire disorder and current treatment. Journal of the Turkish German Gynecological Association, 18(4), 210–218. Increasing women's sexual desire: The comparative effectiveness of estrogens and androgens. Prescribing testosterone and DHEA: The role of androgens in women. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 88(1), 35-43.
1. Diet and Nutrition
Mayo Clinic proceedings, 91(9), 1280–1286. A review of the positive and negative effects of cardiovascular drugs on sexual function: a proposed table for use in clinical practice. Netherlands heart journal : monthly journal of the Netherlands Society of Cardiology and the Netherlands Heart Foundation, 22(1), 11–19. Female Sexual Dysfunction: Natural and Complementary Treatments. Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing), 16(1), 19–23. Especially if your low libido is connected to any social, emotional, interpersonal or mental health concerns. “For most people, sex and sexual arousal is two-pronged — you need your body to respond in certain ways and you also need to be mentally interested,” Dr.