23 FUN WAYS TO RAISE YOUR LIBIDO NATURALLY

Learning about sex facts for a better sex life may not seem like it should be top of your neverending to-do list.

But if you're stuck in a sex rut or just generally not enjoying yourself when it comes to your intimate life, these sex facts show that it can affect more than just how you get to sleep afterwards.

Wouldn’t it be nice if it were fun to naturally increase your libido? Guess what? It can be!

Having a low sex drive and libido can be incredibly frustrating. No matter how much you want to have sex, your body still doesn’t want to have sex. A low libido can make you feel tired, anxious, stressed, and even emasculated. You need sex for a happy and healthy life.

But you don’t have to deal with a low libido. There are a number of ways to naturally increase your libido that will have you as horny as a teenager once again! (Well, maybe not that much.)

In this article, I’m focusing specifically on the easiest and most fun lifestyle changes that will help increase your libido. The conventional method of testosterone replacement therapy can work… but it’s not the ideal first solution for most men. There are other ways to start regaining your sexual vigor without costly, time-consuming, cumbersome therapies.

But first—what’s libido?

WHATS LIBIDO

“Libido” is a fancy (medical) word for sex drive. Your libido is simply your desire to have sex. If your libido is high, you’re incredibly interested in sex. If it’s low, sex isn’t a priority or it may seem like a nuisance. Libido generally relates to a consistent pattern of sexual desire. Not wanting to have sex for one week does not mean you necessarily have a low libido; not wanting sex for two months may signal a concern.

If you’ve never suffered from low libido, you might be thinking, “There are people who don’t want to have sex?” But anyone who has experienced low libido will tell you just how frustrating and challenging it is. Men with low libido still usually want to have sex in theory, but their body doesn’t have the energy or physical desire for the act.

Despite the fact that libido is linked with the mental idea of “desire,” libido is actually not solely psychological. It’s also highly physiological, biological, emotional, and even social. And it’s important to note—for yourself and your partner—that libido often isn’t even linked to sexual arousal. You can be highly aroused by your partner and still not have the physical desire to have sex. This is because libido can be caused by stress, illness, anxiety, relationship concerns, low testosterone, and other unrelated concerns.

Low libido and ED

Before we discuss the causes of low libido, let’s get one thing straight: low libido is not the same as impotence or ED. You can have low sexual desire and still be able to get an erection, and you can have high libido and not be able to get an erection. Although research has shown there is a correlation between low testosterone and erectile dysfunction, the two do not seem to be causal. You can have one without the other.

This is important to keep in mind when treating your concerns. If you have low libido, erectile dysfunction medications like Viagra won’t help raise your libido. They won’t make you want to have sex more, and they won’t influence your testosterone levels. Even worse, these ED meds can actually have unpleasant side effects that might harm your sexual and psychological health, which can potentially reduce your libido further.

The reverse is also true. If you have erectile dysfunction, boosting your libido won’t necessarily solve those concerns. You could do all of the fun activities on this list, but you still won’t be able to attain an erection with ED. In that case, you’ll want to look for natural ways to address your ED.

Causes of low libido

Where does low libido come from? You should understand the basic causes to help treat your low libido appropriately.

1. Low testosterone

If your testosterone levels are below 350 ng/dL, you are likely feeling the symptoms of “low testosterone.” Testosterone is the key hormonal driver of libido. Testosterone is that “manly” hormone that makes you want to work out, have sex, eat hamburgers, and watch football. Well, that’s not true, but testosterone is the number one driver of sexual interest. In fact, even women need an appropriate amount of manly testosterone in order to be turned on for sex. That’s actually one of the reasons men and women kiss—the male’s saliva actually transfers testosterone to the female to get her ready for sex!

If your testosterone is low, you won’t feel that natural hormonal horniness. Instead, you’ll feel lethargic, anxious, depressed, and stressed. You may notice weight gain, brain fog, and a loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy. Low testosterone can influence your entire wellbeing—including your sexual prowess. Learn more about how to naturally increase your testosterone here.

2. Psychological concerns

Anxiety and depression are key contributors to low libido. Depression causes you to lose interest in all of your normal activities, including the sex you once enjoyed. Moreover, medications for anxiety and depression often have side effects that can lower testosterone and libido levels.

Stress is also a key contributor in sexual desire. Stress creates cortisol, which kills testosterone levels. Cortisol both blocks the production of testosterone and binds to free-floating T, creating significantly reduced testosterone levels. This increase in cortisol and decrease in testosterone has been shown to directly influence sexual vigor, desire, and ability.

3. Weight

If you’re holding extra weight, you’re also holding extra estrogen and cortisol. Excess estrogen stores fat and stops the production of testosterone. This leads to lowered testosterone levels, which, in turn, leads to more weight gain. This creates a vicious cycle of low T, low libido, and overweight unhappiness. If you’ve been racking on the pounds recently, you’ve likely also been met with a lowered sex drive.

4. Age

Testosterone levels naturally decrease as you age.Hormonal imbalances become more common as the number of candles on the birthday cake increases. Although low T levels are (sort of) a natural part of life, it doesn’t mean it’s not conquerable with the right lifestyle changes.

5. Medications

Certain medications have side effects that can lower libido and testosterone. These include:

•      Anti-depressants (SSRIs)
•      Antipsychotics
•      Beta-blockers
•      Opioids
•      Blood pressure medications
•      Heart disease medications
•      Diabetic treatments (insulin)

6. Prostate cancer treatments

Prostate cancer itself often doesn’t cause low libido, but its associated treatments and concerns can. Chemo and radiation for prostate cancer infiltrate the pelvis, which can often upset T levels. Surgery for prostate cancer can damage nearby nerves, which may have an influence on libido and impotence. Moreover, prostate cancer can create anxiety and depression in many patients, which can further lead to reduced sex drive and low libido.

7. Sleep problems

Studies have shown that sleep and testosterone are directly linked. One study found that sleep deficiencies influence low libido, and another found that sleep apnea may be a cause of lowered testosterone.

8. Unhealthy living

Other causes of low libido include:

•      Smoking
•      Alcohol abuse
•      Drug abuse
•      Inactivity or sedentary lifestyle

Now that you can better pinpoint where your low libido may be coming from, let’s get into my 8 favorite ways to boost libido in just a few days!

SEX FACTS & TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR SEX LIFE

1. SEX MAKES YOU SMARTER

Turns out reaching an orgasm stimulates more than just one part of your body.

Getting to a climax can boost your brain activity, as it increases the amount of blood flow to the brain.

2. TOP UP LIPSTICK FOR ATTENTION 

Want more attention from your date? Well pop some red lippie in your clutch because research shows that men are more attracted to women who wear red lipstick.

But if you're more of a nude lip girl then fear not. The study also showed that men showed the same reaction to a women wearing red.

3. GET YOUR MAN TO GROW A BEARD

Or if he already has a long one, give it a little trim. Apparently, the average woman finds 10 days of beard growth the most attractive.

Though of course, if you're completely smitten you might not care about the facial hair at all.

4. DON'T SNOOZE TOO MUCH...

...Unless you want a baby. Research shows that women who sleep for 9 hours are 25% more likely to get pregnant.

So if you're still on the birth control, maybe set your alarm for the morning.

5. HAVE SOME ALONE TIME 

Struggling to reach full satisfaction during sex? Well, spend some time alone in bed because women who masturbate are less likely to struggle to reach the big O during sex.

A survey showed that of women who struggle to climax during sex, 91% of those don't masturbate at all. And if that doesn't convince you, read about the 8 reasons masturbating is good for your health.

6. TAKE A BITE

An apple a day keeps the pleasure in play. Okay so that might've been amended just a little bit, but you get it. Italian researchers found that eating apples can increase your sexual satisfaction.

The study found that women who increased the number of apples they ate a day by one, had a higher level of sexual function and got aroused more easily.

7. GET YOUR BF TO CUT BACK ON THE PINTS

Half a pint of beer a day can reduce sperm count by 33%.

It might be no easy feat to prise the glass out of his hands, but if you're planning on having kids any time in the future, it's best to cut back. 

8. SEX CAN DESTRESS 

Research has shown that regular sex can lead to lower stress levels.

The study showed that participants who had penetrative sex were less stressed than those who had non-penetrative sex, masturbated or didn't have sex at all.

9. AND IMPROVE YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

American researchers found that people who have sex once or twice weekly have better immune systems than people who have sex less than once a week.

The study shows that levels of immunoglobulin, the chemical in your body that fights illnesses, was 30% higher in the people who had sex a couple of times a week.

10. HUG MORE FOR GOOD HORMONES

Start a day with a 20-second hug. A long hug releases the hormone oxytocin, which produces feelings of trust and attachment.

Research shows that not only do those who hug more have a lower heart rate and lower blood pressure, they're also better able to deal with stressful situations.

11. GET RISKY

Trying something new or exciting before sex delivers a burst of dopamine that activates the pleasure centres in your brain.

12. WATCH WHAT YOU EAT

Struggling to get aroused? Load up on bananas (yes, actual bananas) for higher levels of B6, the vitamin that helps boost the production of sex hormones.

Try eating chilli peppers as well, as they contain the chemical capsaicin, which will encourages the stimulation of the nerve endings that help you get aroused.

13. START YOUR DAY WITH SEX 

Begin your day with morning sex. This will release the feel-good chemical oxytocin, one of the hormones that reduce stress.

It can also ease anxiety and help the symptoms of IBS.

14. SWITCH TO MOCKTAILS 

Turns out that second glass of pinot might be a bad idea after all: booze raises your odds of contracting HPV, claims a study in Sexually Transmitted Infections.

15. DON'T GIVE IT ALL AWAY

Keep it subtle. Research shows 32% of men find x-rated texts a turn-off. Mystery is sexy.

READ: Your guide to sexting

16. ENCOURAGE HIM TO KISS YOUR NECK 

The neck has a high concentration of light-touch receptors so encourage him to rub or suck, says US-based Sexologist Carol Queen.

17. GET IT ON OUTSIDE 

This will awaken your senses and the fears of getting caught will add an extra thrill says Dr Sandor Grados.

18. DON'T HOLD BACK YOUR NOISE 

Being louder in the bedroom can make you more turned on by creating vibrations in the diaphragm and increasing oxygen intake to the brain.

19. START STRENGTH TRAINING

A study from the University of Sao Paolo, Brazil shows that resistance training improves arousal and sexual desire in women.

So double your strength session and get working your pelvic floor.

20. FEED YOUR EMPTY STOMACH

A US study by Drexel University in Philadelphia reveals the female brain responds better to romantic cues after eating. Time to start feeding your sex life.

21. UPGRADE YOUR FORM

Sex expert Annabelle Knight suggests adopting 'the stretching cat pose' which involves pushing your bum upwards, making thrusting feel deeper and helping you reach the big-O.

22. BUILD UP TO A CLIMAX

Good sex comes to those who wait. A recent study from the Journal of Sex Research, shows men and women get the best orgasm when the build slowly and pause before climax.

23. BE SPONTANEOUS

Try tearing off your flannel PJs and jump-starting the action on a Saturday night; it could leave your man more aroused and have you both rating your relationship higher in terms of satisfaction, stability and communication.