How Women Can Boost Their Sexual Desire

Most people take probiotics to support gut health. But they may also help support sexual health. Some research suggests that probiotic supplements may improve sexual function in women — especially those taking antidepressants. In one small study, women who took probiotics for 8 weeks reported less depression and better sexual function compared to those who didn’t.

• 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.

There’s some evidence that gut bacteria can affect hormone levels, which may influence sexual desire.

What is low female libido?

Possibly, especially if you’re going through menopause, or if an antidepressant causes you to have low libido. Keep in mind that it may be safer to add cooked maca to food, rather than taking it as a higher-dose capsule. Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is a plant rich in phytoestrogens, plant chemicals that act like estrogen in your body. Estrogen is a hormone that has many jobs, including keeping your vaginal tissues healthy. Estrogen also plays a role in libido and sexual arousal.

1. Diet and Nutrition

Yes, there’s evidence that red clover can support vaginal health in menopausal women, and reduce vaginal dryness and pain during sex. In a small study of women over age 40, taking red clover helped with vaginal dryness, low libido, and pain during sex. Red clover may also help with hot flashes, high cholesterol, and osteoporosis. But the evidence to support these claims hasn’t been consistent. According to the NIH, people have taken red clover for up to 3 years in research studies without any safety concerns.

Hormone changes

But you shouldn’t take it during pregnancy or while nursing. Yes — especially if you’re in your 40s or older. Red clover may help with vaginal health, libido, and sexual function. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone that your body naturally makes. It’s used to make other hormones that are important to your sex life, like testosterone and estrogen. But it’s not clear which probiotic strains work best — or what dose is most helpful. For most healthy people, probiotics are considered safe. Mild side effects can include gas or bloating. People with weakened immune systems should talk with a healthcare professional before using probiotics. Possibly, especially if low mood or antidepressant use is part of the picture. Probiotics are low risk and may have other health benefits as well.

• 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.

There are many other supplements that claim to bayer vardenafil help your sex life. But most have little to no evidence to support them. And some can be harmful or toxic. A 2015 literature review of about 50 scientific articles suggests products to avoid, including: When it comes to these supplements, the risks seem to outweigh the benefits. Many supplements are safe to use and have minimal side effects. But just because a treatment is “natural” doesn’t mean it’s free of risk. In fact, many OTC treatments can have powerful effects in your body — but not always in the way you intend. If you decide to try an herb or supplement for sexual wellness, talk with a healthcare professional first. This is especially important if you have other health conditions, take prescription medications, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. The FDA doesn’t regulate supplements, so their contents (and safety) aren’t guaranteed. Many commercial products have multiple ingredients, which can make it hard to know exactly what and how much you’re taking. If you do decide to try an herbal preparation or other supplement, make sure you choose a brand that uses independent third-party testing. This ensures that the supplement contains no contaminants and has an accurate ingredient label. Certain foods may help improve your libido by boosting testosterone, nitric oxide, or antioxidants. Foods that increase dopamine or nitric oxide levels may also increase libido. But it’s important to note that many studies on libido have been done on animals. Examples of foods that may increase libido include: Nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, and peanuts Nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, and peanuts Watermelon juice may be worth trying for its possible effect on female libido.

But it’s important to know that most studies on watermelon and sexual health have been conducted on animals, not humans.

Here's what you need to know about low libido.

It can also potentially interact with many medications and cause stomach upset. There hasn’t been a lot of research on puncturevine and sexual health. And in most of the research, puncturevine didn’t seem to work very well. Probiotics are live microorganisms — like bacteria and yeast — that may have health benefits when you eat them or take them as supplements. You can get them from fermented foods like yogurt and kimchi, or from supplements. So more research is needed to prove this link in humans. Green tea also has the potential to help with female libido since its catechins help support healthy blood flow. Alcohol is linked to low sex drive and problems with sexual functioning. But moderate intake of red fildena 100mg wine may be an exception.

This is because it can boost nitric oxide levels. Yes, exercise may increase female libido and improve sexual function by: Yes, but it’s not the same as Viagra for men.

Treating low libido — you have options

Your DHEA levels are highest when you’re a young adult, then they slowly decrease as you age. Yes, especially in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. In a 2017 literature review, DHEA seemed to help increase libido and arousal in women. It also made sex less painful and more pleasurable. DHEA also seemed to be linked to more frequent sexual activity and orgasms.

More Information

DHEA can interfere with many common medications, especially psychiatric medications. At high doses, it’s linked to an increased risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. DHEA seems to be helpful for women before, during, and after menopause. But check with a healthcare professional to make sure DHEA is a safe option for you. Ashwagandha is an herb that’s used frequently in Ayurvedic medicine.

When to See a Doctor for Low Sex Drive

It’s often used for reducing stress, anxiety, fildena online and inflammation. It can be taken as a pill supplement or added to food and tea. According to the Nutritional Medicine Institute, there’s not much evidence on whether ashwagandha helps with sexual problems in women. But in some small studies, ashwagandha did improve lubrication, sexual arousal, and sexual satisfaction. Ashwagandha is generally safe to use in food and tea. There are two medications used to treat low sex drive in women. These are sometimes called “female Viagra” medications. Bremelanotide (Vyleesi) is a shot that can be injected 45 minutes before having sex. But these medications work differently than Viagra (sildenafil). And they aren’t recommended if your low libido is caused by medical conditions, relationship issues, or medications. That’s because after menopause women are more likely to experience vaginal dryness, pain with sex, lower sex drive, and decreased genital blood flow. But a satisfying sex life is still possible. It helps to use lubrication, focus more on foreplay, and communicate with your partner. Pelvic floor exercises and hormone therapy can also help. Female arousal can be triggered by a mix of emotional connection, mental state, and physical sensations. Emotional factors include feeling safe, trusting your partner, and feeling close or connected. Mental factors can include being relaxed, feeling playful, thinking about sexual fantasies, or reading erotic content. Physical sensations like kisses, hugs, massage, or clitoral stimulation can also spark arousal. Everyone is different, so what works for one person may not work for another. Many women will experience sexual problems at some point during their life. And there are many natural supplements that claim to help with everything from low libido and better orgasms to more pleasurable and frequent sex. But most products don’t have a lot of evidence to support their use. For some women, L-arginine, chasteberry, maca, probiotics, and DHEA may have some benefits. And, if you’re going through menopause, ginseng and red clover might be especially helpful. If you’re facing challenges in your sex life, talk with your healthcare team. They can help guide you toward starting a supplement safely. Tribulus terrestris for treatment of sexual dysfunction in women: Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. Red wine and sexual function in men: An original point of view. Increasing women’s sexual desire: The comparative effectiveness of estrogens and androgens. The action of herbal medicine on the libido: Aspects of nutritional intervention in increasing sexual desire. The effect of Korean red ginseng on sexual function in premenopausal women: Placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover clinical trial. Efficacy and safety of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract in improving sexual function in women: A pilot study. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of maca root as treatment for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction in women. Ashwagandha: A review of clinical use and efficacy.

Factors that can affect sex drive

But keep in mind that it can interfere with other medications. And it can cause side effects like nausea, fatigue, and headache. There hasn’t been a lot of research on ashwagandha and sexual problems in women. But keep in mind: It does seem to help with stress and anxiety. So if these are affecting your sex life, ashwagandha could be a good choice for you.

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder

Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris) is a plant traditionally used to improve sexual function in men. It may work by increasing blood levels of testosterone — a hormone that’s related to libido, arousal, and orgasm in both men and women. Overall, the evidence is too limited to say for sure whether puncturevine helps support sexual wellness in women — especially since there haven’t been many well-designed trials yet. In one small study of 60 women, taking puncturevine for a month improved: But in several other studies, it didn’t work better than placebo treatment. Puncturevine may have some risks, including unwanted hormonal changes. More women look over the counter for a libido fix. The effect of ginseng on sexual dysfunction in menopausal women: A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial.