Creating a Healthy Sex Life

Are you wondering how to increase sex drive naturally? Check out our detailed guide on the importance of healthy libido and how you can improve yours.

It's time somebody said it. Ladies, there is nothing wrong with us if we don't feel like jumping into the sack every time our significant other does. No woman is constantly ready to go from 0 to 60 at the drop of a hat (or pants!)

It's perfectly normal for your sex drive to fluctuate based on a variety of factors. You may find that you have a voracious appetite for physical intimacy one day, but the next day your sexual desire is all but nonexistent. Everyone goes through periods of high and low sexual desire, so don't sweat it if you feel like you're not living up to some unspoken expectation.

With that being said, some of us may feel like our sexual desire is consistently low and we're not getting as much fulfillment out of our intimate relationships. If that's the case, there's nothing wrong with wanting to improve our low sex drive. From managing anxiety to taking products designed to enhance sexual satisfaction, learning how to increase female sex drive is easier than many women may think. Here's why a healthy sex life is so important and how you can improve yours for better sex.

If you're worried that you may have low libido, it's important to realize that libido is flexible. Think of your sexual desire like the waves on the seashore, constantly ebbing and flowing. Your sex drive may increase during certain times of the month and decrease during other times of the month. You may also experience a low sex drive for weeks or months during certain stages of your life.

Usually, periods of low libido are temporary and aren't a cause for alarm. Of course, this may not be the case if your low sexual desire is impacting how you feel about yourself or the quality of your relationships.

What if you're not sure whether your sexual stamina and desire are normal or lower than usual? Here are some common indications you may have low libido.

• You rarely have sexual thoughts or fantasies anymore.
• You don't care to engage in any type of sexual activity. The thought may even be stressful or distasteful to you if you are experiencing sexual dysfunction.
• You're concerned about your inability to enjoy sexual activity with the person you love.
• You feel like your relationship with your significant other is suffering because of your lack of libido.

If you can relate to any (or all) of the above symptoms, you most likely have reduced libido. But don't worry! You aren't sentenced to live a sexless life just because you're experiencing a low sex drive right now. If you want to improve your sexual health and desire, there are a few things you can try. We'll go over ways to improve your sex life a little later in this guide.

Are you wondering if your sexual drive is "normal" or if you may have lowered libido? Most of us ladies have similar worries, so you're certainly in good company. But a normal sex drive may look different for you than it does for your friend Jenny because sex drives differ from person to person.

Each person has their own unique sex drive that is normal for them. This applies to male libido, too. Not every man is a sex machine with endless sexual stamina, even though they're often stereotyped that way. Sexuality often differs depending on the balance of hormones within the body (specifically sex hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone).

Our bodies produce a lot of hormones, but there are some (known as androgens) that play a primary role in our sexual functioning and desire. For men, testosterone is primarily responsible for sexual performance. If testosterone production is low, men may experience reduced libido. A low testosterone level is also associated with other embarrassing sexual issues, such as erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation.

For women, progesterone and estrogen are primarily responsible for sexual health (though women also have a small amount of testosterone, which also helps to regulate sexual desire). If we have a hormonal imbalance, it may translate to lower libido. A proper balance of estrogens and androgens is essential for optimal sexual health and to avoid sexual dysfunction.

In addition to low testosterone and imbalanced hormone levels, there are other potential causes of low sex drive. Here are some of the things known to impact women's sexual desire.

• Mental health problems (such as depression or anxiety)
• Age (older women naturally experience a decrease in sexual desire)
• Vaginal dryness (which can lead to pain during intercourse)
• Too much stress
• Relationship issues with your intimate partner
• Certain diseases and conditions (such as cancer, arthritis, heart disease, and high blood pressure)
• Hypoactive sexual desire disorder
• Poor body image
• History of sexual or physical abuse
• Poor communication of sexual preferences and needs
• Certain medications (including birth control)

All of these can have a big impact on female libido. If you're struggling with lowered libido, it may be worth it to honestly analyze your situation and determine if any of the above issues apply to you. Keep in mind that intimacy is so much more than sex. It's also about connecting on a deep level with someone you love. Understanding intimacy is an important step toward improving your sex life.

Every woman deserves to find satisfaction in her sex life. For those of us who need a little help boosting our sexual interest, there are some lifestyle changes and supplements that can help.

Some women turn to synthetic hormone replacement therapy to help improve their sexual function, and that's OK! Hormone replacement therapy may be an appropriate solution for sexual dysfunction or postmenopausal women. Some men also use it to combat low testosterone. It's very important to discuss your treatment options and potential side effects with your doctor so you can make an informed decision about any sexual medicine you take.

But if you're more interested in boosting your sexual desire naturally, there are ways to do so with minimal to no side effects. From consuming specific foods and supplements to getting better sleep, here are some empowering things you can do to naturally boost sex life.

It may seem unlikely that the food you eat can impact your desire, but it really is true! We have a list of food and supplement types that can act as natural libido boosters. Here they are, in all their sensual glory:

• Fenugreek
• Maca
• Tribulus
• Saffron
• L-Citrulline
• Beet Root
• Pomegranate
• Ginkgo Biloba
• Horny Goat Weed
• Chocolate

If these ingredients don't sound familiar to you (with the exception of chocolate, of course), don't worry because you can find most of them in supplements. Mixhers Libido contains several of them (beet root powder, maca root powder, fenugreek seed powder, and pomegranate extract). No wonder it's such an effective female libido booster! Here's a brief overview of how each of the ingredients listed above can help improve your sex life and desire.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek contains compounds the body can use to make androgens (such as testosterone and estrogen). Studies show that women with low libido may experience improved sexual desire and arousal after taking fenugreek daily.

It's important to note that fenugreek may interact with warfarin and other blood-thinning medications. For this reason, you should talk to your doctor before taking fenugreek if you're currently taking a blood-thinning medication.

Maca

Maca is a root vegetable that may enhance sex drive and fertility. Men with low testosterone and erectile dysfunction may also experience positive results after taking maca.

To boost libido, most studies show that you only need to take 1.5 to 3.5 grams of maca daily. However, it can take up to 12 weeks to see a noticeable difference in your sex drive, so be patient and don't expect instantaneous results.

Tribulus

Tribulus terrestris is a leafy plant that is commonly used in Chinese medicine. What's exciting about this plant is that studies show it can increase sexual satisfaction (and did so in 88% of study participants). If your goal is to increase sexual satisfaction, Tribulus may be worth taking.

Saffron

If you enjoy Indian food, you've probably eaten saffron. This aromatic spice comes from a flower and is frequently used in cultural dishes. It also happens to be a powerful aphrodisiac (especially for anyone taking antidepressants).

Saffron has been shown to improve sexual desire and satisfaction in both men and women. It may also boost arousal and amplify sexual pleasure.

L-Citrulline

Our bodies naturally produce L-citrulline. But in some cases, we don't produce enough for our sexual needs. L-citrulline is an amino acid that is converted into L-arginine by the body. L-arginine is known to improve blood flow and may improve sexual performance.

Beet Root

Beets support healthy blood flow (including to the sexual organs) and can improve libido. Beet root can also lower overall blood pressure. Since high blood pressure is a common cause of low libido, lowering it can help enhance sexual desire.

Pomegranate

Pomegranates are delicious and can enhance your sex life. They're full of nitrates, which are known to enhance male sexual function. If your man has low testosterone or other sexual issues, pomegranate extract may help improve your sexual interactions. Pomegranate is also good for female sexual health. Like beet root, pomegranate extract supports healthy blood flow and sexual pleasure.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba is yet another herbal supplement that's commonly used in Chinese medicine. Some studies show that it can raise levels of nitric oxide in the blood, which promotes blood vessel extraction and healthy blood flow. Are you noticing a pattern here? It seems that healthy blood flow is an essential component of sexual satisfaction and desire.

Horny Goat Weed

Though the name might make you chuckle, horny goat weed has a reputation for improving sexual health. It is most commonly recommended for men with low testosterone or other issues with sexual function, but women can also use it to potentially boost their libido.

Horny goat weed works by boosting blood circulation to sexual organs. As you can imagine, more blood flow to these areas can lead to increased sensation and pleasure during intercourse.

Chocolate

Chocolate has long been regarded as a natural aphrodisiac. Though more research is needed to illustrate how chocolate helps enhance sexual pleasure and desire, you probably don't need more convincing. Any excuse to eat more chocolate is a good excuse, right?

In addition to eating more foods, herbs, and supplements that boost libido, there are also lifestyle changes you can make to improve your sex life. Most of these shouldn't come as a surprise, but we'll list them anyway.

Manage Your Stress

As we mentioned earlier, stress can kill your sex drive. It can also negatively impact your mental and overall health. Unfortunately, there's no way to get rid of all the stressors in your life, but you can learn how to manage them in a healthier way.

Meditation, deep breathing, and talking to a friend or therapist can help you feel calmer when you're dealing with a stressful deadline or situation. It's also important to set aside some "me" time, whether that means taking a 20-minute bath each night or picking up a hobby that improves your mental health.

Get Good Sleep

The human body needs sleep to repair itself and function optimally. A consistent lack of quality sleep can lead to a variety of unpleasant consequences, including mood swings, daytime sleepiness, and decreased libido.

Your body's internal clock has an impact on hormone secretion. Your sleep patterns, if inconsistent, could lead to hormone imbalances that can affect sexual function and desire. Fortunately, you can help normalize your body's internal clock by consistently getting enough sleep at night and sticking to the same sleep schedule as much as possible.

Exercise Regularly

You already know that regular exercise is good for your cardiovascular health, but did you know that it's good for your sexual health as well? Exercise promotes good blood flow (and that blood flow doesn't discriminate between your heart and your genitals). Exercise also helps boost your "feel-good" hormones, which might put you in the mood for sex. There are even special exercises you can do for your pelvic muscles that will help!

Eat Healthy Foods

A good diet can boost your sexual health while a poor diet can have the opposite effect. It's so easy to grab prepackaged and highly processed foods when you're busy, but it's important to try to eat healthy, whole foods as often as possible. These foods contain nutrients that support healthy immune and sexual function.

Get Sex Therapy as Needed

In some cases, the methods listed above may not be sufficient to improve your sex life. If that's the case, sex therapy may be the next appropriate plan of action. Sex therapy may help you get down to the nitty-gritty of your libido issues. Once you understand the underlying issues causing your decreased libido, you can take steps to improve it.

It takes two to tango, as they say. If you're sexually frustrated, your partner may be able to help you. Communication is something that's often missing in sexual relationships, but it's absolutely necessary to make sure both parties are fulfilled and safe in intimacy.

If you're struggling with your sex drive, let your partner know. It could be that your sexual needs are not being met without your partner even knowing. Good communication about sexual preferences, needs, and concerns can go a long way toward improving your experience in the bedroom.

Some people experience sexual anxiety, which is a feeling of inadequacy regarding sexual performance. Sexual anxiety can make intercourse an intimidating or even painful experience. When you're anxious, your body is less likely to become properly lubricated, which can make it much more difficult to have sex.

To combat sexual anxiety, identify any triggers that you may have and make your partner aware of those triggers. You should also focus on the quality of your sexual experience instead of putting so much pressure on yourself to "perform" a certain way. Meditating before sexual activities may also help relax your mind and body so you can enjoy the experience.

While sexual desire and enjoyment can be enhanced through the natural means and lifestyle changes mentioned above, you may need help from a doctor to fully address your sexual function issues. Here are some indications that you need to visit a doctor:

• You experience pain or bleeding during and after intercourse
• You are unable to achieve sexual arousal even after trying natural libido-boosting methods
• You are depressed and unhappy with your sex life
• You are experiencing sexual abuse or have sexual trauma for which you have not received treatment

Every woman deserves to have great sex. If you need a little help boosting your desire, check out the tips and advice at Mixhers resources.