Can supplements save your sex life?

Maca may also help with the sexual side effects that antidepressant medications can cause. Maca seems to be safe when eaten as a food (up to 3 g daily). It may be slightly riskier if taken in larger quantities as a pill. Note that raw maca should be cooked before consuming. Try to avoid taking maca at night because it can disrupt sleep. 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.

• L-tyrosine may support dopamine levels and desire.
• Maintaining intimacy routines nurtures connection.
• Avoiding stressors blocks desire suppression.
• Practicing sensual massage stimulates arousal.
• Some women find yoga boosts body awareness.
• Wearing comfortable, attractive lingerie enhances confidence.
• Enriching your environment with scents may stimulate desire.
• Keeping a sexual health journal aids understanding.
• Regular checkups help monitor hormonal health.
• Herbal teas like chasteberry support hormones.
• Awareness of triggers and barriers improves sexual health.

Estrogen is a hormone that has many jobs, including keeping your vaginal tissues healthy. Estrogen also plays a role in libido and sexual arousal.

Taken as needed, situational use rather than daily support

Many different things can cause low libido, including: Hormonal changes, including changes from pregnancy or menopause Hormonal changes, including changes from pregnancy or menopause Over-the-counter (OTC) supplements are the first choice for many women who want to make a change in their sex life. But you may be wondering about how effective and safe they are. Let’s take a closer look at what the research says about eight natural supplements that have the most evidence to support them. As always, before starting any supplement, it’s important to consult with a trusted healthcare professional. Amino acids are building blocks that your body uses to make proteins.

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Your body usually can make all the L-arginine it needs. But you can also get it by eating meat and fish, dairy, vegetables, and whole grains. Foods that are especially rich in L-arginine include: L-arginine provides the raw material your body needs to make nitric oxide, a molecule that opens your blood vessels. Nitric oxide makes it easier for blood to flow to your genitals. Good blood flow is important for sexual arousal and orgasm.

Symptoms of Low Libido

It can also help your vagina stay nourished and healthy. There’s some evidence that L-arginine can improve libido, decrease vaginal dryness, and increase clitoral sensation. But L-arginine has mostly been studied as a combination supplement containing more than one ingredient (like ArginMax). Because of this, it’s not clear whether the positive effects seen in research studies are because of L-arginine, or L-arginine in combination with other ingredients. L-arginine taken as a supplement is potentially safe for many people, but it can have side effects, such as: It’s important to note that L-arginine may make herpes worse. 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.

Part of broader hormone care; requires consistent use and monitoring

It can also interact with many medications. Possibly, especially if you take it as part of a combination supplement. If you’re interested in increasing your L-arginine intake, you can also consider adding L-arginine-rich foods to your diet. It’s also sometimes called vitex, chaste tree, or monk’s pepper. Chasteberry may affect hormone production and activity.

What increases libido immediately?

This includes progesterone and estrogen — two hormones that are important for sexual health. In at least one study, chasteberry improved sexual function in postmenopausal women. And it may address menopause-related pain and discomfort during sex. There’s also evidence that chasteberry may help with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). This could be useful for women who have PMS-related sexual problems.

Clinician-approved prescription

But some people experience mild side effects, like an upset stomach, headache, and itching. It’s also not clear whether chasteberry is safe for people with hormone-sensitive conditions (like certain cancers). Be aware that chasteberry can interact with several medications, like birth control pills and antipsychotics. Possibly, especially if your sexual problems seem to be linked to menopause or PMS. But first be sure to check with a trusted healthcare professional about whether chasteberry is safe for you to try. 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. 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. DHEA can interfere with many common medications, especially psychiatric medications. At high doses, it’s linked to an increased risk of breast ed gel 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. It’s often used for reducing stress, anxiety, 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. 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. Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris) is a plant traditionally used to improve sexual function in men.

w/ Oxytocin

It’s also available as a powder that can be mixed into smoothies or other recipes. In some cultures, maca is prepared as a fermented drink. But most of the published research on maca has been on its effects in men. Only a few studies have looked at maca and women’s sexual health. So far, there’s some evidence that maca might be helpful for sexual function during menopause. 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.

Chronic low libido unrelated to intimacy

Ginseng is a medicinal plant traditionally used to reduce stress, improve energy levels, and increase blood circulation. Like L-arginine, ginseng may encourage blood flow to your genitals, which might improve arousal, orgasm, and vaginal health. There are ceridaviescampaigner co uk many different types of ginseng. Sexual health studies often focus on Korean red ginseng (KRG), which is a type of Asian ginseng. Ginseng may work for women experiencing symptoms of menopause.

Clinical Applications

One review of research showed that KRG improved sexual arousal in menopausal women. In another study, menopausal women taking ginseng had better sexual function and improved menopause symptoms and quality of life. What’s not known is whether KRG can improve sexual function in premenopausal women. A 2015 study suggested that both placebo and KRG led to improved sexual function. So more research is needed to understand how ginseng affects premenopausal women.

Is it safe?

Ginseng is generally safe for most people in the short term (up to 6 months). But its long-term safety isn’t clear, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Yes, especially if you’re going through menopause. There’s good evidence that KRG may help with menopause symptoms — including sexual problems. Maca is a root vegetable native to Peru. 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.

• Dietary zinc deficiency may reduce female libido.
• Regular exercise can naturally boost sexual desire.
• Adequate sleep is essential for healthy libido.
• Reduce stress with meditation to improve sexual arousal.
• Vitamin E supplements may support hormonal health.
• Omega-3 fatty acids help improve blood flow and desire.
• Avoid excessive alcohol which can diminish libido.
• Weight management can positively influence sexual health.
• Breaks from medications may sometimes restore desire.
• Consult a doctor before starting any herbal supplements.
• Psychological counseling can address underlying desire issues.

Puncturevine may have some risks, including unwanted hormonal changes. 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.

• Evening primrose oil may help alleviate dryness.
• Managing depression can improve libido.
• Regularly updating your medical history helps.
• Using mindfulness during intimacy enhances pleasure.
• Educate yourself about sexual health.
• Have honest conversations with partners.
• Addressing past trauma can restore desire.
• Avoid high-stress environments when possible.
• Prioritize self-care to maintain confidence.
• Exploring fantasies can increase excitement.
• Set realistic expectations for sexual experiences.

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

Natural Ways to Increase Libido

It’s traditionally used to help with infertility, boost libido, and balance hormone levels. Researchers don’t know exactly how it works. It may have mild estrogen-like effects in the body. And it may be an “adaptogen” (an herb that helps your body respond to stress). Maca can be prepared as a food, either baked or roasted.