Food & Health

Improving Sex Drive Naturally

Understanding why you’re feeling sexual disinterest is paramount to finding ways to enhance and improve your sexual drive. Both men and women can find their libidos lowered for a plethora of reasons such as stress, hormonal changes, relationship problems, psychological and emotional problems, health, illness and reactions to drugs or chemicals.

Lifestyle Stress

Both men and women commonly experience lower libidos because of lifestyle changes, or fatigue. Common lifestyle stresses include responsibility for young children (or even care of an older family member), problems at work, or in family relationships, moving, changing jobs, or financial troubles.

Hormonal Changes

Women are especially prone to hormonal changes, including childbirth or menopause. It is normal for women to experience periods of increased or lowered sex drive because of these fluctuations. The use of, or change in birth control methods is a common cause for both physical and emotional disinterest in sex as well.

Though men experience hormonal changes with age, these changes are often much more subtle and do not as drastically effect the libido of men.

Health

Most problems with sex drive in men and women can be attributed to overall health problems. Being overweight, not getting enough exercise, or eating poorly can reduce both your physical and emotional drive. Even if you aren’t overweight and you are getting regular exercise, many common chemicals found in foods and products on the market today have been proven to lower libido. Understanding the dangers of processed foods and synthetic additives could go a long way in improving sexual desire.

Drugs

The most common reason for lowered sex drive in men is SSRI-type antidepressants – such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil, and drugs used to lower blood pressure. Numerous prescription drugs and even OTC drugs are known to cause sexual problems as well.

Women are just as prone as men to experience sexual reactions to prescription drugs. Women are most notably effected by birth control. Nearly all hormonal birth control brands carry “loss of sex drive” as a potential side-effect, and it has been suggested that currently, more women suffer from lowered libidos because of birth control than any other physical or emotional cause to-date.

Psychological & Relationships

Mental illnesses, poor self esteem or a history of sexual abuse are common reasons for loss of sex drive as well. Understanding your partner’s mental “take” on sex (and being sensitive to it) is paramount to a successful relationship.

Problems in relationships are also likely to put a damper on your sex life (especially problems communicating, infidelity, lack of a connection with your partner, or arguments). Unresolved conflicts, may make sex seem less-than-appealing to one, or both partners.

Foods That May Enhance Sexual Drive

There are numerous foods that have been shown to enhance sexual drive as well. Some of the best foods for both sexes include:

• Watermelon: Foods rich in the Amino Acid Citrulline, like watermelon, have been shown to relax blood vessels, increasing blood flow to all parts of the body (including sexual organs).
• Asparagus is rich in the B vitamin Folate, which has histamine-boosting effects. Because histamine has been proven essential for sexual health, Asparagus is suggested as a libido boosting food.
• Garlic: Though smelling like garlic may not be the best way to attract a new mate, this food contains allicin which has been proven to increase blood flow.
• Oysters and Pumpkin Seeds are flooded with Zinc, which has been proven to increase testosterone in men, as well as maintain healthy sperm. Zinc deficiency can also make women completely lose their sex drive! If Oysters aren’t your favorite, you could try a Zinc supplement instead.
• Bananas and Pineapples: These fruits are rich in the enzyme bromelain (which has been suggested to help boost male libidos), they also contain potassium and B vitamins which help increase energy overall.
• Nuts, Fish and Eggs: Essential fatty acids play a prominent role in health overall, and especially a healthy sex drive. Nuts, Fish and Eggs are some of the best natural sources for fatty acids.
• Nutmeg: This spice was used by the Native Americans for sexual problems, and studies on animals have proven to have effects similar to Viagra.
• Dark Chocolate contains serotonin (which boosts your mood) and phenylethylamine which replicates the feelings associated with love. Studies have shown women who ate chocolate every day had much higher sexual drive than women who didn’t.
• Avocados: With tons of vitamin B6 and potassium, Avocados increase male hormone production and regulate the female thyroid gland. Avocados are also rich in folic acid, which is important for energy and stamina.
• Chilies are loaded with capsaicin which increases blood flow and the release of endorphins.

Men may also want to try:

• Brussel Sprouts and Broccoli: Indole-3-carbinol has been shown to reduce estrogen in men (meaning it can actually have poor effects on the female libido!).
• Lean Meats and Beans: Protein rich foods are excellent for producing testosterone.
• Celery helps the production androsterone (which is excreted through male sweat). They say the odorless pheramone androsterone is excellent for attracting women.
• Goji Berries have been shown to increase testosterone as well, and can be purchased dry and boiled in teas (or hot apple cider).
• Maca root has been shown to increase semen quality, and tests on rats and mice showed increased mating behavior as well.

Women may want to consider:

• The phytoestrogen content of soy has been shown to increase female sex drive (however, soy should be eaten carefully because it can also effect your menstruation).