6 Ways to Enhance Female Libido

Link to Natural Health & Organic Living Blog

Posted: 17 Aug 2014 08:00 AM PDT

The marketplace for dietary supplements is full of products designed to enhance male sexual health, an issue that is all too common for men over the middle-age mark. Despite the fact that a woman's sexual stamina can also fade with time, female libido-enhancing products are often available in fewer quantities. If you’ve struggled in this area, there’s no reason to give up hope. There are several things women can do, in addition to herbs and supplements, to support libido health. Here are some thoughts to get you going.

How to Enhance Libido

If you aren’t feeling well, whether you’re male or female, having sex is not going to be at the top of your list of desired activities. Here are some things any woman can do to support libido, not to mention overall health.

1. Exercise

Physical activity encourages blood and oxygen flow to the brain and provides a potent mood-stimulating effect conducive for sexual health. Exercise is a surefire way to encourage mood-boosting neurotransmitters, like serotonin and norepinephrine. ^[1] A healthy sexual life is one where both partners are coming together in a clear, focused, and positive emotional state. Running, taking a brisk walk, and yoga are all effective exercises for improving sexual health. Exercise also helps to reduce stress, a powerful inhibiting factor when it comes to sexual desire.

2. How’s Your Diet?

There’s no single correct diet for everyone, but if you’re eating prepared foods, then you need to stop and start eating fresh, organic, real food. A whole-food diet primarily made up of raw-food ingredients is optimal for providing nutrients necessary for sexual stamina and brain health. Protein, tryptophan, and a variety of fatty acids all play a key role in maintaining emotional and physical health.

3. Make Time

Do you make time for sex? Let’s face it, sex loses much of its joy when it’s rushed or when you’re tired. If you're putting too much on your plate all at once, you might have very little room to fit any physical interaction into your schedule. Or, if you try to place sex into a hectic day, you may find that you lose the satisfaction of the activity because you have very little time to savor the pleasure of the experience with your partner.

4. Contraceptives

Oral contraceptives are designed to protect against pregnancy and are the most effective widely-used contraceptives on the market today. Studies examining the link between oral contraceptives and libido have found mixed results, with some women reporting a decreased libido upon taking. ^[2] So, if you’re taking the pill and you're experiencing libido difficulties, you might want to consider trying a different form of contraception.

5. Kegel Exercise

Older women sometimes do pelvic floor strength training called kegel exercises to prevent or resolve bladder incontinence. ^[3] These exercises have also been shown to help improve sexual pleasure.

6. Dealing With Vaginal Dryness

Some women find that vaginal dryness is a problem toward sexual comfort and desire. This issue, however, is readily resolved with lubrication. Be sure to use an all-natural product, possibly one that contains fewer than three ingredients. Coconut oil may be one of the most natural lubricating oils out there, and research has also indicated its powerful anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. ^[4]

The above list of actions that may enhance a woman’s libido is by no means exhaustive. In order to maintain a healthy sex life, women should always take care of their own mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. If sexual urge is still lacking, these suggestions may help you rediscover one of the most pleasurable and soul-bonding activities any two people can share.

-Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM