Female libido lifters: 8 surprising ways to increase sex drive
If you’ve lost your sexual desire, discover how to increase your sex drive
Text: Jo
The pandemic may have us spending more time at home, but we’ve not necessarily been making full use of the bedroom. Global reports are pointing towards a collective lack of interest in sex, loss of libido and decreased intimacy in a relationship as the world remains in various states of lockdown, filled with worry about what the heck the future holds. It’s no wonder that our sex drive has taken a nosedive.
According to a survey with thousands of adults by The Kinsey Institute, 44% said their sex life had declined recently. “People report pretty high rates of feeling stressed and worried, and those are not psychological states conducive to sexuality,” says Justin Garcia, sex researcher at the institute. Last year, Laxman Narasimhan, CEO of Reckitt Benckiser which owns Durex condoms, revealed that condom sales have fallen in most markets as people are having less sex because of the coronavirus crisis. "Intimate occasions are going down and that is a manifestation of anxiety.”
According to doctorxdentist Singapore, everyone’s libido is different and a loss of libido is a common problem that can affect many men and women at some point. “It occurs when you have fewer sexual thoughts and fantasies, as well as less interest and engagement in sexual activity. Sexual stimulation by sight, words or touch fail to provoke interest.”
While stress, anxiety, and the fact you’ve been glued to your other half for the past year may have contributed to a loss of libido and lack of interest in sex, lower sexual desire can also be a sign of a health condition such as depression (or a side effect of medication), fatigue, diabetes, heart disease, an underactive thyroid or erectile dysfunction in men.
Having less sexual appetite than other people is not necessarily a bad thing, but if there has been a sudden shift, it comes with additional symptoms appear such as high blood pressure or pain, sex is painful or it’s causing psychological distress or relationship problems, there could be cause for concern and you should see your doctor.
Surprising female libido lifters
If your libido has disappeared without being connected to other potential medical conditions, there are simple lifestyle changes you can make to try and get your sexy back. Read on:
1. Have a good sniff
“Rose essential oil has soothing but also stimulating properties, it is a natural aphrodisiac and emotionally uplifting,” says Christina Michele Rios, a Sound Meditation Ceremonialist and Intuitive Healing Facilitator. “At 320 MHz, rose is the highest of all the essential oils (and is 3x higher than the human body's natural frequency at 62-72 MHz) meaning that it quite literally raises our vibration and enhances every cell in the body, creating a sense of well-being and subtle stimulation." Rub 2-3 drops of rose oil on the left palm of your hand, close your eyes and inhale for four counts. Pause. Exhale for four counts. Repeat for 10 rounds. Do this daily for 2-3 weeks to feel the internal shifts in your life."
2. Get bendy
Yoga does more than give you the ability to show off ‘the splits’ at parties — it may also be a libido lifter. A Harvard study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine showed that yoga could boost arousal, desire, orgasm and general sexual satisfaction for women.
3. Eat clean
The International Society for Sexual Medicine reported a link between high cholesterol and women with difficulty in arousal and orgasm. When cholesterol builds up in the arteries, it restricts blood flow, even to your pelvic area. Stock up on fruits and vegetables to keep your cholesterol healthy and reduce animal fats and whole milk products.
4. Put sleep first
It’s a bit of a no-brainer, but the more rested and energised you feel, the more likely you are to feel fruity. A small-scale study in women suggested that getting more sleep the night before increased their sexual desire the next day. Women who reported longer than average sleep times reported better genital arousal than those with less shuteye.
5. You booze, you lose
Alcohol may chill you out, but too much vino can play havoc with your sex drive. According to Dr Josh Axe, a certified doctor of natural medicine and clinical nutritionist, "Too much alcohol can make it hard for your body to respond sexually. Enjoy a glass or two to set the mood, but then head to the bedroom instead of pouring another one.”
6. Remember to rehydrate
Don’t fancy alcohol? Fill up on, er, water instead. It may not feel quite as fun but “dehydration is associated with a long list of negative side effects that can quickly sexual desire like fatigue, headaches and vaginal dryness,” says Dr Axe. “Drink plenty of water and eat lots of fruits and vegetables to stay hydrated." Eight to ten glasses of water a day is recommended.
7. Keep up the touch
While holding your partner’s hand is unlikely to spark fireworks, little touches do contribute to you feeling sexy in the first place. Small acts of touching your partner prompt your body to release oxytocin which can spark feelings of intimacy and trigger sexual desire. Studies have shown that even 20-second hugs can help people feel more bonded.
8. Be excited by you
If the pandemic has turned you and your partner into one another’s best friend, colleague, exercise buddy, coach, carer and mentor, your sexual desire could suffer. It’s important to create some space between you — take up a new hobby alone, see your friends solo — and ignite a sense of freshness in yourself and your life. In turn, this will lead to you feeling more excited by you, and about your sex life.
This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek advice from your doctor or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have about your sexual health.
