Difference between revisions of "Increase Female Libido"

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#Visit a mental health care professional to determine whether you suffer from some form of depression. Depression and anxiety are often accompanied by a decrease in sexual drive. It is important to identify and treat depression first before you address your lack of sex drive.<ref name="rf1">http://www.webmd.com/depression/features/depression-and-sex</ref>

#*In some cases, antidepressants may be prescribed to improve symptoms of depression. Be honest with your doctor about the decrease in your libido, since some prescription drugs can also reduce sex drive. Changing the medication often results in fewer affects on your libido.<ref name="rf1" />

#Use a therapist to identify your sexual self-esteem. How do you define yourself as a sexual being: are you sexually appealing? How do you perceive yourself? Why? It is important to have high sexual self-esteem but there can be a number of factors, including abuse, harassment, weight gain, and being called demeaning names, that can negatively impact your sexual self-esteem.<ref name="rf2">http://www.healthywomen.org/content/article/your-sexual-self-esteem</ref>

#*If you find the issues involve your partner, keep them in the loop. Find a therapist or counselor who has experience working with low libido and actively work on these emotional causes with your partner.<ref name="rf2" />

#Communicate with your partner about how you are feeling. Your libido will have an impact on your partner, so keep them informed to work on your sex life together. Open communication allows you to explore how to enjoy sex and one another’s desires. It’s important to define your sexual expectations together.<ref name="rf3">http://www.webmd.com/depression/features/depression-and-sex?page=2</ref>

#*A lack of communication is a sure libido-killer. Think about it this way: How is your partner to know what you like or dislike if you can’t address it to them? By opening the lines of communication and being honest with yourself, you can tell your partner your desires and dislikes. Perhaps you enjoy a particular touch from your partner and when it doesn’t happen, you have a hard time finding your libido. Being able to pinpoint this and communicate you need to feel sexual will help keep your libido roaring.<ref name="rf4">http://www.shirleyglass.com/reflect_sex.htm</ref>

#*Keeping communication alive isn’t just about communicating on sex. It’s also important to be able to communicate about other life problems such as work and finances. If your partner is doing everything they should in the bedroom, perhaps your lack of libido is coming from elsewhere, such as resentment over a financial issue.<ref name="rf4" />

#Decrease your stress levels. Stress can be brought on by many factors including finances, occupation, health, and family. Identify the main stressors in your life and take the necessary steps to manage a balanced routine.<ref name="rf5">http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-sex-drive-in-women/basics/causes/con-20033229</ref>

#*Get massages, exercise, or develop a healthier work/life balance. Only you will know what is the most effective way for you to deal with stress. Communicate with your partner to increase the level of intimacy and help manage your stress levels. Even scheduling intimacy makes it a priority.<ref name="rf6">http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-sex-drive-in-women/basics/lifestyle-home-remedies/con-20033229</ref>

#Set aside time for being sexy. When life gets busy, you may find your libido is left behind in the dust. As unsexy as it may sound, setting aside weekly times to enjoy your body will help keep you in the routine of having a libido. If you want to include your partner, remember that you don’t have to necessarily have sex, but instead upkeep closeness and intimacy in your relationship.<ref name="rf4" />

#*Don’t worry about it feeling unsexy. After the business of getting the kids to school, working all day, making dinner and getting the kids to bed, you likely find that a lacking energy level will plummet your libido. By having a fun activity to look forward to, you’ll have all-day anticipation and a time slot to set aside your daily worries and focus on yourself.<ref name="rf7">http://www.hitchedmag.com/article.php?id=1347</ref>

#Get tested for endocrine problems or chronic diseases that can affect your sex drive. Thyroid disease is a type of endocrine problem that affects menstrual functioning and can lower sex drive. Chronic diseases like anemia and diabetes are also known to lower the libido. Doctors can help you address these conditions once diagnosed.<ref name="rf8">http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/02/12/healthmag.no.sex/index.html?eref=rss_he</ref>

#Quit smoking. Tobacco affects blood circulation, which can lower the sensitivity and function of genitalia. Smoking also affects testosterone levels, the hormone that affects libido.<ref name="rf9">http://www.thehealthsite.com/sexual-health/world-no-tobacco-day-2013-why-smoking-is-bad-for-your-sex-life/</ref>

#*Consult a healthcare professional before increasing your testosterone levels via supplements. Bioidentical testosterone supplements should be tailored specifically to your needs.<ref name="rf10">http://www.womensinternational.com/connections/testosterone.html</ref>

#Understand the effects of your birth control pills. Women who take a form of birth control pill may see a decrease in libido. Your body’s reaction to the pill depends on your individual body chemistry and the hormonal mixture within the ill.<ref name="rf11">http://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/features/the-pill-and-desire</ref>

#*If you have been on the same birth control pill and you have only recently experienced a decreased libido, your body may be changing. It is still likely there is another, unrelated reason it has changed, but don’t be quick to write off your birth control. By careful noting of the exact changes, your doctor can help you identify if your birth control is the culprit.<ref name="rf11" />

#Manage the transition to menopause. Sex drive declines as we age. While the effects of age are different for each individual, women in their late 40s and 50s commonly experience a decrease in libido.<ref name="rf12">http://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/sexual-problems-at-midlife/decreased-desire</ref>

#Regulate your diet and eat healthy, sex-friendly foods. The right foods can increase blood flow to your sexual organs. Better choices will increase your libido.<ref name="rf13">http://health.clevelandclinic.org/2013/04/lost-your-libido-make-these-6-smart-diet-choices/</ref> Eating fruits and vegetables every day can decrease risk of anemia, increase your overall energy and improve blood circulation.

#*Replace red meat with protein from plants as saturated fats can affect libido. Try nuts, seeds, legumes and soy instead of red meat.<ref name="rf13" />

#*Eat fruits and veggies instead of junk foods. Junk foods reduce blood while fruits and veggies provide lasting energy needed for increased sex drive.<ref name="rf13" />

#*Sprinkle red pepper flakes instead of salt as peppers contain a chemical the encourages blood flow while salt increase blood pressure and lowers the libido.<ref name="rf13" />

#*Eat whole grain cereals for zinc as it preserves testosterone.<ref name="rf13" /> Though women do have lower levels of testosterone, it is still present and provides a strong libido.  

#*Eat small amounts of chocolate with 70% cocoa content or higher. Chocolate can provide the same arousal as an orgasm.<ref name="rf13" />

#Take ginseng and/or ginkgo biloba supplements. These supplements are available over the counter, and they claim to target mood and sexual desire.<ref name="rf14">http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/lifestyle-guide-11/natural-sex-boosters-can-you-rev-up-your-libido?page=3</ref>

#Take an Arginine supplement. This amino acid is essential to many body functions including blood flow. It is the main source of nitric oxide, which is responsible for sexual arousal in women.<ref name="rf15">http://www.totalhealthmagazine.com/Womens-Health/SEXY-HORMONES-for-WOMEN.html</ref>

#*Nitric oxide increases blood flow to the genitals and can increase the intensity of the orgasm.<ref name="rf15" />

#Use vaginal creams or oils. Vaginal dryness is a common symptom that can be treated with a vaginal lubricant and hormone therapy. While natural oils can be used to treat vaginal dryness, persistent symptoms may indicate a greater medical issue.<ref name="rf16">http://womenshealth.answers.com/reproductive-health/vaginal-dryness-cures-ways-to-increase-lubrication-naturally</ref>

#*Vitamin E can improve vaginal lubrication when applied daily in and around the vagina. Open a vitamin E capsule to obtain the oil, or use a dropper bottle to directly deposit liquid vitamin E to your hands.<ref name="rf17">http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=51285</ref>

#*Try Zestra, a topical oil. This over the counter vaginal oil contains vitamins C and E, primrose oils and Angelica root. Studies claim to produce better libido increases than a placebo.<ref name="rf18">http://www.healthywomen.org/content/ask-expert/1338/vaginal-thinning</ref>

#*Identify the muscle that aids you in stopping the flow of urination and lifting your lower abdominal muscles. Squeeze the muscles upward without squeezing your buttocks. Hold for 3 to 10 seconds then relax. Repeat in sets of 10 throughout the day.<ref name="rf19">http://www.webmd.com/women/tc/kegel-exercises-topic-overview</ref>

#Watch videos with your partner. Studies have shown that pornography can interest both men and women, although women process the information differently. Being able to watch sexual activity and then express your feelings to your romantic partner opens a dialogue.<ref name="rf20">https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/love-and-sex-in-the-digital-age/201305/fifty-shades-female-sexuality</ref>

#Use sexual aids  in the bedroom. Vibrators or personal massagers are a great addition for women who are experiencing low sexual desire. There are many sexual aids on the market but ones that focus on clitoral stimulation, like the Hitachi Magic Wand, are best for aiding with sexual disfunction.<ref name="rf21">http://bottomlinehealth.com/the-truth-about-womens-sexual-desire/</ref>

#Stimulate your imagination. If you find traditional pornography to be crude or offensive, try picking up an erotica novel. Whether you use it as a tool to get your mind moving in sexy ways, or to encourage new fantasies to come out, the right erotica can get your mind open to the idea of sex.<ref name="rf22">http://www.prevention.com/sex/better-sex/how-erotica-can-boost-your-libido</ref>

#*If erotica is too big of a jump into the realm of pornography for you, try a simple romance novel. Reading about the thrill of a woman falling in love with someone may be all you need for a kick-start in your sex libido.<ref name="rf22" />