Resources to Help Female Libido

There can be many causes of a low libido in women. The most useful first step in increasing female libido is to determine the cause. Then you can proceed with the treatment. Low sex drive should always be discussed with your personal physician. He or she can then determine if there is a medical cause for your condition by running blood work and determining hormone and nutrient levels in your blood. There are many physical causes for a low sex drive, such as anemia, low testosterone levels, low estrogen levels, and diabetes. There can also be psychological causes for low libido that can be discussed with a counselor or therapist, and treated with medications or counseling as needed. Depression, stress, and anxiety can often be the cause of a low sex drive, and should be ruled out as the cause, or treated if necessary. However, antidepressant medication can also be a contributor to low sex drive.

Testosterone supplements can be used in women if their physician determines the need for it after completing blood work analysis. Low testosterone levels in women can lead to low sex drive, and supplements are available that have been shown to increase sexual desire in women. Testosterone is available to be applied topically as a gel or patch. Estrogen therapy can also be used in women with low estrogen levels. This can also increase sex drive, in addition to increasing vaginal lubrication and sensation. Estrogen is available as oral supplements, or in topical creams.

Once medical causes are ruled out, there are many resources available to increase the female libido. Many herbal and natural supplements can increase sex drive in women. These include Ginkgo biloba, a plant-derived supplement that improves memory and libido; arginine, also often called ‘natural Viagra’, an amino acid that improves circulation, and thus increases blood flow to the sexual organs; DHEA, a naturally occurring hormone that affects both testosterone and estrogen levels in the body; ginseng, an herbal supplement that increases blood flow and reduces stress, dong quai, an herb used to treat many gynecological problems in women. Any of these supplements should be discussed with your physician prior to use.

Other resources to increase female libido include arousal aids. These include topical formulas such as Vibrel and Zestra that increase blood flow and sensation to the areas to which they are applied. Devices such as vibrators or gentle vacuums can also be used during sexual activity to increase arousal and sensation in women, therefore enhancing the pleasurable experience and increasing libido.

Other than medical treatments, supplements, and sexual aids, there are many simple things couples can do to increase the woman’s libido. Changes in lifestyle, such as increasing exercise, losing weight, eating a healthy diet, reducing alcohol consumption, eliminating drug use, decreasing stress levels, and getting plenty of sleep can lead to overall better health and a healthier sex drive. Couples can also improve communication, especially about sexual matters, increase the amount of time spent on foreplay and create a romantic atmosphere to increase the woman’s sex drive.