How men with low libido can increase it

Men with low libido can experience decreased self-esteem and strain on their intimate relationships. If your loss of interest in sex is a problem, it’s important to see a doctor.

Long-term medical conditions like cancer (and the treatment for it) and diabetes can dampen libido, as can some medicines. Your doctor can recommend lifestyle changes and/or tweak your medications.

1. Exercise

Exercise doesn’t just benefit your waistline — it can also boost your libido. This is because when you exercise, your body produces more mitochondria, which are small organelles that help create energy.

Having a low libido can be caused by many different things. For example, hormonal changes like having a baby or going through menopause can have a big impact on your libido. In addition, certain medications can cause low libido as a side effect, including antidepressants and drugs that treat high blood pressure.

Other factors that can cause low libido include stress, anxiety and depression. Talking to a therapist about these issues can be helpful.

2. Boost your sleep

Getting enough sleep is crucial for good health. If you’re regularly sleeping less than 8 hours a night, try to fix that.

Women who are in the middle of menopause can experience a drop in libido. This is due to hormone changes that affect everything from vaginal lubrication to sexual desire.

Depression can also reduce libido, as can many chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer. Some antidepressants can lower libido, including bupropion (Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL).

If you’re under the effects of a mental health condition, talk to your doctor about your symptoms and what treatment options are available.

3. Eat a healthy diet

Having a healthy diet is essential for overall health, and may also boost libido in men and women. A healthy diet should be rich in vitamins, minerals and lean proteins, and low in foods that can lead to unhealthy weight gain and blood sugar issues.

Certain foods can act as natural aphrodisiacs, including oysters, which are high in zinc and can help regulate testosterone (a key factor in libido in both men and women). Other sexual boosters include extra virgin olive oil, which increases circulation; arugula, which is rich in folic acid; and broccoli, which contains Indole-3-carbinol, which helps reduce estrogen levels.

Increasing blood flow is also believed to increase libido, so eat a variety of fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamin C, such as oranges, lemons and limes, strawberries, tomatoes and sweet potatoes.

4. Get enough sleep

There’s no “normal” level of libido, and your sex drive can fluctuate naturally. But if it drops below your comfort zone, talk to your doctor about changes you can make.

Getting enough sleep is key to your overall health and can boost your libido. Aim for 7-9 hours each night, and be consistent with your sleep routine. Certain medications can also reduce libido, so it’s worth talking to your doctor if you’re concerned about this side effect of any medicines you’re taking. Some birth control pills and antidepressants have this effect. This can be easily checked with an at-home perimenopause test from Everlywell.

5. Reduce stress

Stress can make it harder to have a good night’s sleep, which will lead to a loss of libido. Trying to find healthy ways of dealing with your stress will help you feel better and may even boost your libido.

Certain life events and conditions can cause low libido, such as perimenopause or menopause, pregnancy and breastfeeding, painful or uncomfortable sexual experiences, or problems reaching orgasm. Your doctor can offer you a range of treatments, including lifestyle changes and medication. It’s also important to talk to a therapist, either individually or as a couple. This can help you tease apart personal mental health issues and relationship dynamics that could be causing your low libido.

6. Talk to your doctor

It’s important to talk with your doctor if you have low libido because it can be a symptom or side effect of many different factors. Moreover, if your low libido is causing stress or strain on your relationship, it’s important to talk to a mental health professional about it.

Some women have low libido because of a medical condition like postmenopausal symptoms, physical pain or fatigue, or it may be caused by some medications. You should check the leaflet on the medication you’re taking for possible side effects.

In some cases, sexual desire can be numbed by previous trauma, especially in women who have been physically or emotionally abused. Therefore, it’s important to work with a therapist if you’re struggling with trauma.