Natural Ways to Enhance the Female Libido

The statistics of women suffering from low libido are not as well-documented as those of men, but it appears that it can happen to nearly any woman at any age, though it typically affects women over the age of 40. Factors such as birth control usage, stress levels, diet, age, exercise habits and even having had children can negatively affect a woman’s desire for sex. Furthermore, there are numerous health problems that play into libido. Diabetes, high blood pressure, mood disorders, hypothyroidism and metabolic disorder are some of the biggest illness-related causes of low sex drive for both genders.

If left untreated, a low libido can eventually strain romantic relationships and negatively affect self-esteem, mood and overall enjoyment of life.  Fortunately, this isn’t a problem that must simply be endured. Here are some of the ways that a woman can enhance her desire for sex.

Drop the Soy

Soy is a known goitrogen and endocrine disruptor. It inhibits thyroid function while causing estrogen levels to soar and testosterone levels to fall dramatically. In fact, soy’s libido-dampening effects are so potent that monks in ancient Asia used it to control their sex drives. Besides causing a low libido, regularly consuming products rich in soy can cause hot flashes, irritability, low mood and fatigue. It should be noted that after you eliminate these foods from your diet, it can take your body several months to recover from their effects.

Eat Oatmeal

Oatmeal, particularly from steel-cut oats, is often recommended to men to boost their sex drive. This is because minimally-processed oats contain compounds that reduce amounts of serum hormone binding globulin (SHBG), thereby freeing testosterone and making it usable to the body. Even in women, testosterone plays a critical role in libido, so consuming oatmeal regularly can help to enhance desire and improve overall sexual sensitivity and responsiveness. The effects of this food are so powerful that many people notice effects within minutes of consumption.

Weight Training

While exercise is important to all aspects of health, certain forms of it are more beneficial than others to sexual function. It is true that cardiovascular exercise enhances mood, stamina and blood flow, but without the hormone levels to back it up, there isn’t much benefit to your sexual desire. That’s where weight training comes in. Weight-bearing exercise, such as body weight squats, push-ups, lifting weights and working out on weight machines, causes levels of testosterone to skyrocket. Furthermore, the enhanced testosterone production helps you lose fat while gaining muscle and strength, which enhances your confidence and self-esteem. With this combination of factors, your sex life could be better than ever.

Eat More Fat

Fats, particularly animal-based ones, are often maligned in today’s diets, yet they are some of the most important foods for women who want to improve their libido.  The body uses fat for a variety of functions ranging from energy production to the proper absorption and utilization of certain vitamins.  However, they also serve as precursors to hormones like progesterone and testosterone, both of which are essential for a healthy and normal female libido. This is why low-fat diets are often associated with sexual dysfunction and other forms of hormone imbalance. If you want to experience more desire, it may be as simple as getting more fat in your diet.

Low libido is an increasingly common problem in women today, regardless of age. However, through a careful combination of diet and exercise techniques, women can enjoy a happy, healthy sex life.