Libido - what is it, causes of decreased libido, hormones, natural aphrodisiacs

Libido is nothing but our sexual potential. Libido organizes our sex life - it is thanks to him that we feel physical closeness to a partner. The level of our libido can be influenced by various factors, such as mental state or hormonal disorders. People struggling with low libido should avoid sugar, alcohol, and high-calorie foods. How to increase libido with natural aphrodisiacs?

1. What is libido?

Libido is a kind of brain disposition aimed at satisfying our sexual needs. Thanks to him, we can start and maintain the act of sexual intercourse. It is gradual, which means that it usually changes as it matures.

Within people of the same age, it is also impossible to indicate any constant regarding the level of libido - this remains an individual matter, depending on many factors - both biological and internal and external.

Male libido is in many cases related to the stimuli it provides. Even a little stimulation is enough to cause sexual arousal. In the case of the fair sex, the situation is a little more complicated. There are many factors that can either increase or decrease a woman's libido.

It is much easier for men to achieve arousal or orgasm than for women. Where do these differences come from? First of all, because women attach special importance to intimacy and a sense of security. There are many more elements in women's desire - physicality, as in the case of men, does not play the first violin here. For women, the psychological aspect is especially important. Maintaining a balance between these areas leads to a satisfying sex life and therefore a greater libido.

Thus, a woman's sexual potential may be determined by her attitude towards her partner, her level of self-confidence and her body image. Some women feel unattractive in their own eyes. They do not respond to arguments that their partner fully accepts and loves. In this case, reduced libido is due to the woman's low self-esteem.

Other factors such as cultural or social factors can also influence a woman's libido. According to many doctors, religions, views and tastes of people, among whom women most often live, are also of great importance. Years of research confirms that the level of education also has a huge impact on our libido.

According to scientists, those women who boast a university degree are more likely to be open to slightly less typical sexual practices. In the case of men, it was not possible to prove such links, but compared to women, their need for sex is much greater. During the day, they can even think about it several times and, having made friends, they begin to strive for rapprochement faster than their friends.

2. Decreased libido

A decrease in libido means a decrease in sex drive that is not caused by temporary stress or fatigue. A long-term decrease in libido can be associated with various diseases, including mental, hormonal disorders, as well as taking medications. However, libido can be improved by following a few tips, depending on the reason for the decrease in sex drive. We don't have to feel the desire to have sex at any point in our lives, but if the lack of desire for lovemaking persists for a long time, we need to find out its cause.

2.1. Psychological causes of decreased libido

The most common psychological causes of decreased libido are:

• depression
• relationship problems,
• traumatic experiences in childhood (sexual harassment).

2.2. Decreased libido and disease

Diseases that may affect libido in men and women:

• hyperprolactinemia (a disorder that causes increased production of the hormone prolactin, which blocks sexual desire),
• diabetes,
• anemia,
• heart diseases.

In both men and women, a decrease in the desire for sex can also be associated with excessive obesity - complexes often affect the psyche, depriving people of the impulse to use nudity. Excess weight also confuses the endocrine system.

2.3. Decreased libido and environmental factors

A decrease in libido can be caused by poisoning with various substances:

• manganese,
• vinyl chloride,
• isocyanates.

2.4. Decreased libido and drug use

Very often medications and even nutritional supplements can cause decreased libido. Among them:

• some medicines to lower blood pressure
• sedatives,
• some antidepressants and psychotropic drugs,
• stimulants such as marijuana, heroin, cocaine and alcohol.

3. Hormones and their effect on libido

Obviously, hormones affect our sex life. Low testosterone reduces libido in both men and women. Testosterone levels decrease during andropause and menopause. If the cause of low libido is too low levels of this hormone, therapy requires hormonal treatment. Usually such hormonal therapy with low libido is very effective.

The hormonal storms that accompany a woman's menstrual cycle also have a huge impact on a decrease in libido. The greatest decrease in libido is most often experienced by a woman during bleeding - at this time, the level of progesterone and estrogen is the lowest, so we least want to be next to a man. A drop in libido makes us much more interested in completely innocent hugs. The situation begins to change with the stop of bleeding, i.e. between days 7 and 11 of the cycle. Hormone levels begin to stabilize, and we forget about our ailments, and the will to live returns. The closer we are to ovulation, the more attractive we feel, and the more our appetite for pranks begins to gradually increase. The climax is the aforementioned ovulation, which usually occurs between the 12th and 17th day of the cycle. Rampant estrogen and testosterone make us crave erotic sensations, even ones we don't normally experience. By the way, nature has programmed us in such a way that it is at this moment that the chances of conceiving a child are the greatest.

The situation changes around the 18th day of the cycle, when the stress hormone cortisol begins to wreak havoc in our body. We lose the craving for adventure in the bedroom, our well-being deteriorates significantly, and the need for sensitivity increases. If there is intercourse during this time, wild dancing is unlikely to be an option. We are much more pleased with subtle and tender relationships. Irritation, excess water in the body, causing a feeling of heaviness, breast swelling and headache, which often accompany women three days before bleeding, make us quarrel with a partner rather than go to bed with him.

Our libido is usually at its lowest during this time, although this rule does not apply to all women. For some of them, this is a very opportune moment to get closer.

During menopause, pregnancy and lactation, women may experience vaginal dryness. Then the libido in women drops significantly, because sex does not bring pleasure. To prevent this, you can use special lubricants to moisturize the vagina.

4. Ways to improve libido

There are many ways to improve your libido, starting with natural ones. The use of natural aphrodisiacs can be very beneficial for both women and men. Some spices and plants improve the functioning of the circulatory system and support the blood supply to the genitals. Women are advised to consume B vitamins and vitamin C. Men are especially recommended turmeric, a spice whose main ingredient is curcumin. Turmeric effectively improves mood, increases the level of potency. In addition, it has a positive effect on the functioning of blood and lymphatic vessels.

It should be emphasized that if the decrease in libido is the result of psychological problems, then the use of aphrodisiacs will not bring any effect. A decrease in libido as one of the symptoms of depression should be the reason for contacting a psychotherapist. In many cases, patients underestimate the problem, considering depression as a long-term sadness. Occupational psychotherapy will help you cope with depression, and therefore with a decrease in libido.

Relationship problems prevent partners from communicating, sometimes they also interfere with sexual intercourse, as they reduce libido. If talking doesn't help, you can go to couples and marriage therapy.

If there is a visible decrease in libido in one of the parties, you should first of all think about lifestyle. The first is the right amount of sleep. When we do not provide our body with an optimal dose of rest, it is not capable of regeneration, therefore, in order to function relatively normally, it begins to normalize energy, which is simply not enough for sex. If we do not know how to increase libido, let's start by getting enough sleep.

It is also worth dealing with stress. If we have little influence on its source, let's try to minimize its effects - from time to time, let's do a relaxing massage or a relaxing bath, instead of sitting in front of the computer, let's take a walk, thanks to which we will saturate the body with oxygen and, importantly, improve it blood supply.

When we are stressed, blood is sent to the muscles, which is due to the genitals, which are contracting at this time. In search of answers to the question of how to increase libido, let's go to the gym, because physical activity is perfect for men.

In the case of traumatic childhood experiences, a person's sexual development is disturbed. The victim may experience complete lack of sex drive. Without professional help, this condition can last a lifetime.

5. Natural aphrodisiacs that stimulate libido

A huge ally of our libido are, above all, natural aphrodisiacs that will help arouse interest in sex. Generally speaking, aphrodisiacs that affect libido are plants containing substances with a stimulating effect. If we want to know how to increase libido, we should look for effective aphrodisiacs.

Natural aphrodisiacs for men that stimulate libido and prevent erectile dysfunction. so that:

• turmeric,
• bananas
• Fiji,
• pumpkin seeds,
• damiana (turner sprawling),
• psychopetalum
• Ginseng - this exotic plant affects our body in different ways - it has antioxidant properties, improves immunity, speeds up metabolism and allows you to lose unnecessary pounds. The list of its health benefits is much longer. The plant contains a number of vitamins and minerals.

For women, a good way to increase libido recommended cuisine containing foods such as:

• oysters
• cinnamon,
• vanilla,
• Rosemary,
• chilli,
• essential oils - mainly with the smell of sandalwood, citrus and jasmine.

Other natural aphrodisiacs to increase libido for women are::

• vitamin C strengthens blood vessels, it also supports the blood supply to the genitals, citrus fruits are the best source of vitamin C,
• B vitamins help keep the nervous system in better condition, they are found in nuts, whole grains, broccoli,
• japanese ginkgo,
• damiana (wide turn),
• psychopetalum,
• Lucrezia.

6. Recommendations for people who are struggling with reduced libido

In case of decreased libido, it is recommended to avoid:

• sugar and sweet foods,
• animal fats,
• high calorie foods,
• alcohol
• stress.

Low libido can happen to anyone. When the desire for sex diminishes, it is worth taking steps to restore it. When the sexual desire problem is very advanced, hormone replacement therapy is the most common form of treatment. In a situation where the reasons for this state of affairs go beyond the purely physiological sphere and are associated, for example, with chronic stress, rejection of one's own body or low self-esteem, it is worth using psychological help.

Don't wait to see the doctor. Take advantage of consultations with specialists from all over Poland today at abcZdrowie Find a doctor.