No matter how busy you are with work and other responsibilities, most people need sex, intimacy and closeness for our overall well-being. Sex is not only pleasurable but also has many other health benefits. A heightened libido can contribute to a better sex life, lower your stress levels and increase feelings of intimacy between you and your partner.
Whether you’re looking to spice up your sex life or simply trying to get a little friskier in general, our top tips will help improve your libido and maybe even contribute to bettering your overall health as well.
Here are 7 natural remedies and strategies to increase your sex drive.
Foreplay
The first step in improving your sex life may lie in one simple word . . . foreplay! The next time you’re between the sheets, try taking your time and focusing more on kissing, touching and performing oral sex before intercourse. You could also consider incorporating sex toys or exploring other kinks that may also spice things up a bit.
Foreplay for women can be especially necessary. Some studies show that only 18% of women orgasm through penetration alone, while 33,6% of women report that clitoral stimulation is necessary in order to orgasm. A lot of this stimulation begins in foreplay, so it’s important to include enough time getting things a little extra heated.
Having better foreplay and prolonged sexual experiences may also increase your desire for sex, thereby boosting your libido and overall sexual desire.
Effective Communication with your Partner
We know it sounds a little obvious, but this little strategy really goes a long way. Emotional and psychological factors can affect a person’s desire for sex, and often indicate problems outside the bedroom. It’s important to communicate with your partner so that negativity isn’t channeled into your sex life.
Speaking about your feelings and concerns will let your partner know how you feel and take some pressure off you and may even strengthen your relationship.
But what if life gets busy? Taking some time for sex will not only help your relationship but your body as well. If you’re having difficulty getting to it, try scheduling some time for sex – although it may seem forced at first, it works, and eventually, this will feel natural.
If you have trouble communicating, seeking help from a sex or relationship therapist could be the right solution for you. These therapists also offer couples counselling that could assist both you and your partner communicate your concerns – both in and out of the bedroom.
Explore aphrodisiac foods
According to studies, food can increase or decrease your libido. Although chocolate has no direct impact on your sex drive, this delicious treat promotes the release of phenylethylamine and serotonin in your body. These compounds produce aphrodisiac as well as feel-good effects which in turn could impact on your sex drive. Chocolate is also high in sugar, so if it’s a little sugar rush you’re needing, this might be the sexy food for you.
Watermelon is another food that may get you in the mood thanks to citrulline. Citrulline is a non-essential amino acid that relaxes and dilates blood vessels much like Viagra and other drugs meant to treat erectile dysfunction.
Other examples of aphrodisiac foods include oysters, strawberries, chilli peppers and so much more. If you’re in the mood to get frisky, we’d recommend these.
Exercise
Exercise not only assists you in keeping in shape but also impacts your sex life. Staying fit also helps you feel good in your own skin, increases blood flow, detoxifies your body, and boosts your feel-good neurotransmitters, hormones and endorphins (this includes serotonin, adrenaline, testosterone).
Exercise strengthens your muscles, increases stamina, endurance and circulation which may lead to better orgasms, stronger erections and could lead to an overall better sexual performance.
Whatever kind of exercise you’re into, go outside and get moving!
Manage stress
According to doctors, stress is a large contributor to a decline in libido. Having high levels of anxiety is a common barrier to sexual functioning and libido for both males and females. However, this stress does not necessarily have to be related to the bedroom.
According to Medical News Today, people with demanding work schedules, responsibilities or other life stresses may often feel fatigued, which subsequently affect your sex drive. And for males, high-stress levels could even make it difficult to maintain an erection.
Try to improve your mental health and reduce external stress by eating healthier, making time for exercise, improving your relationship with your partner and even talking to a therapist for any underlying issues that may be the cause of your troubles.
Check your birth control
Any hormonal contraception like the pill, the patch or the implant may affect your sex drive for better or for worse. Often, these synthetic hormones cause your libido to take a dip. If you’re experiencing low libido, it’s good to consider any recent birth control changes to try to identify if this may be the cause.
You can also do your research, there are many online articles, communities and blogs that speak about the effects of birth control and even cover specific brands and methods. If you are still having difficulties identifying the cause of any changes in your sex drive, speak to a medical practitioner. The right doctor can help you find the right contraception methods that work for you without affecting other parts of your life.
Hormonal Therapy
According to Medical News Today, doctors often prescribe oestrogen medication for women with low libido nearing menopause or other hormonal causes.
These treatments include systemic oestrogen therapy – this pill raises oestrogen levels throughout the body which may assist with low libido. Others include topical oestrogen treatments that can be in the form of creams or even a vaginal ring. These may alleviate dryness and contribute to a better sexual experience.
There is also hormonal therapy available for men such as testosterone replacement therapy.
Whether you enjoy an oyster or two or find that exercise gets your blood pumping, it’s important to remember there is no one-size-fits-all solution for sexual desire. Each individual may require a different combination of things to increase or improve their libido. If you have any medical concerns or need further assistance, reach out to a health care professional near you.
