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How To Help With Loss Of Libido
A healthy sex drive is a natural part of a human being's makeup

 

There is no simple pill or potion to increase sex drive in women. In fact, most women benefit from a multifaceted treatment approach aimed at the many causes behind this condition.  The first medical intervention for low sex drive is usually addressing an underlying medical condition or medication that's known to have sexual side effects.  This may include adjusting or changing your current medications or starting treatment for previously undetected conditions.  This may include sex education, counseling, lifestyle changes and sometimes medication.

Lifestyle changes you can make
Healthy lifestyle changes can make a big difference in your desire for sex:
 
Exercise
Regular aerobic exercise and strength training can increase your stamina, improve your body image, elevate your mood and enhance your libido.
 
Stress less
Finding a better way to cope with work stress, financial stress and daily hassles can enhance your sex drive.
 
Be happier
A sense of personal well-being and happiness are important to sexual interest. So find ways to bring a little extra joy to your world.
 
Strengthen your pelvic muscles
Pelvic floor exercises (Kegel exercises) can improve your awareness of the muscles involved in pleasurable sexual sensations and increase your libido. To perform these exercises, tighten your pelvic muscles as if you're stopping a stream of urine.  Hold for a count of five, relax and repeat.  Do these exercises several times a day.

Relationship changes you and your partner can make
For women, better emotional intimacy often leads to better sexual intimacy:

Communicate with your partner
Conflicts and disagreements are a natural part of any relationship. Couples who learn to fight fair and communicate in an open, honest way usually maintain a stronger emotional connection, which can lead to better sex. Communicating about sex also is important. Talking about your likes and dislikes can set the stage for greater sexual intimacy.
 
Seek counseling
Talking with a sex therapist or counselor skilled in addressing sexual concerns can help with low sex drive. Therapy often includes education about sexual response and techniques and recommendations for reading materials or couples' exercises.
 
Set aside time for intimacy
Scheduling sex into your calendar may seem contrived and boring. But making intimacy a priority can help put your sex drive back on track.
 
Add a little spice to your sex life
Try a different sexual position, a different time of day or a different location for sex. If you and your partner are open to experimentation, sex toys and fantasy can help rekindle your sexual sizzle.

Medical treatments for low sex drive
Medications aren't always necessary to treat low sex drive. But they can help.

Treating underlying causes of low sex drive
Conflicts and disagreements are a natural part of any relationship.  Couples who learn to fight fair and communicate in an open, honest way usually maintain a stronger emotional connection, which can lead to better sex. Communicating about sex also is important.  Talking about your likes and dislikes can set the stage for greater sexual intimacy.
 
Estrogen therapy
Systemic estrogen therapy by pill, patch or gel can have a positive effect on brain function and mood factors that affect sexual response.  Local estrogen therapy in the form of a vaginal cream or a slow-releasing suppository or ring that you place in your vagina can increase blood flow to the vagina and help improve desire.  In some cases, your doctor may prescribe a combination of estrogen and progesterone.
 
Testosterone therapy
Male hormones, such as testosterone, play an important role in female sexual function, even though testosterone occurs in much lower amounts in women. However, replacing testosterone in women is controversial and it's not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for sexual dysfunction in women.  Plus, it can cause negative side effects, including acne, excess body hair, and mood or personality changes. 

Testosterone seems most effective for women with low testosterone levels as a result of surgery to remove the ovaries.  If you choose to use this therapy, your doctor will closely monitor your symptoms and blood levels to make sure you're not experiencing negative side effects.

Herbal treatments
These natural remedies can help with womens low libido in many different ways

Angelica Root
Angelica is a potent root used to improve circulation and warm the body.  It is a general tonic for improving sexual function. Do not use this root during pregnancy.
 
Ashwagandha
Ayurvedic equivalent to ginseng.  Assists in increasing sexual energy. It is a well-known semen promoter and it treats impotency and infertility.
 
Black Cohosh
Also called squawroot, black cohosh has compounds that mimic the effects of estrogen, balancing the body's hormone levels.
 
Chaste Tree Berry
Has a normalizing effect on the sex drive.  It stimulates production of the hormone progesterone and balances estrogen dominance.  Chaste tree berry helps overcome depression associated with the menstrual cycle, headaches, premenstrual acne, breast tenderness, cramps and bloating.
 
Damiana Leaf
Known as Turneria aphrodisiaca, damiana leaf has been shown to increase sensitivity in the clitoris, as well as stimulate sexual desire and pleasure.  It also strengthens the hormone system.
 
Dong Quai
Is an estrogen-balancing herb for women.  Estrogenic herbs and foods have the same effect on a woman's body as her own hormones do, but without negative side effects of synthetic estrogen.
 
False Unicorn
Is a uterine tonic that relieves congestion.  It has been traditionally included in aphrodisiac formulas for women.
 
Ginger and Cloves
Warms, increases blood flow to extremities heightening sexual arousal.
 
Licorice Root
Is another herb with plant estrogen activity.  It helps reduce fluid retention, breast tenderness, abdominal bloating, mood swings, and depression. Licorice strengthens adrenal glands to boost energy levels and minimize the effects of stress.
 
Maura Puama
Research points to muira puama's ability to increase libido and help in hormone production.
 
Muirapuama
Few reputed health-enhancing plants are as popular or as widely consumed among the natives of the northern Amazon river basin as the bark of muirapuama.  For centuries, this plant has been used to increase libido and improve sexual potency.
 
Panax Ginseng
Has estrogen like effects on the female reproductive tissues and prevents vaginal atrophy.  It is especially good over the long term, because it helps the body secrete moisture.
 
Zallouh root
Also known as shirsh zallouh, is a small shrub with thin leaves and tiny white or yellow flowers.  The plant grows at altitudes between 6,000 and 10,000 feet around massive Mount Haramoun, which straddles the borders of Syria, Lebanon and Israel.  The plant's root has been used as a sex enhancer since antiquity by men with erectile problems, and for men and women with low libido.

Alternative medicine remedies can be considered
Alternative approaches involve little or no risk and can be considered as the best and safest way for treating Low female libido. 

Acupuncture
Is a Chinese medical treatment involving the insertion of very fine sterile needles into the body at specific points according to a mapping of "energy pathways".  It's an excellent treatment, but complicated to follow. 

A successful acupuncture treatment involves time, money and finding the right practitioner.  Therefore, most women are looking for less complicated ways of alternative treatment and think herbal remedies are a safe and effective solution.
 
Aroma therapy
Scents like ylang ylang, sandalwood, lavender and jasmine can also help you relax, lift your mood and gently aid in improving feelings of sexual desire as well.
 


Warning

As with all health supplements, results vary from person to person so be sure to consult your physician or qualified medical professional before taking any supplement for low libido.


 

 
 
 

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