Libido, or sex drive, naturally varies between individuals. Having a low sex drive is not necessarily a problem, but if a person wishes to boost their libido, they can try a range of effective natural methods.

None of us want to admit we have lost that lovin’ feeling or that we’ve started to notice a low sex drive. We may have the best partner on earth and feel closer than ever, and yet … libido can be an elusive thing as we age. Stress, hormonal imbalances, weight gain — these are all issues for men and women of a certain age — and they don’t just affect the way we feel, they can affect our relationships with the ones we love.

You may be going through a low point in your sex life, and that’s ok. It happens to the best of us. But, that doesn’t mean you have to live with it! Low sex drive is often the result of underlying health issues that can be identified and corrected with the right combination of lifestyle changes and medical intervention.

Continue reading to find out why you may have lost your cravings for sex and what you can do to get them back

Low sex drive

Manage anxiety

High anxiety levels are a common barrier to sexual functioning and libido for males and females. This may be anxiety due to life stress or specific sex-related anxiety. People with an intense work schedule, caring responsibilities, or other life stresses may feel fatigued and, as a result, have a low sexual desire.

Anxiety and stress can also make it more difficult for someone to get or maintain an erection, deterring a person from having sex. A study of erectile dysfunction in young men has suggested that depression and anxiety can result in reduced libido and increased sexual dysfunction.

Improve relationship quality

Many people experience a low sex drive and frequency at certain points in a relationship. This may occur after being with someone for a long time or if a person perceives issues in their intimate relationships.

Focus on foreplay

Having better sexual experiences may increase a person’s desire for sex, thereby boosting their libido. In many cases, men and women can enhance their sexual experiences by spending more time touching, kissing, using sex toys, and performing oral sex. Some people call these actions outercourse. For females, foreplay may be especially important. According to a research, only around 18% of women orgasm from penetrative intercourse alone, while 33.6% report that stimulation of the clitoris is necessary for them to orgasm.

Eat a nutritious diet

Following a nutritious diet can benefit people’s sex drive by promoting good circulation and heart health and removing specific foods that can decrease libido. Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease can affect physical sexual functioning. Polycystic ovarian syndrome can also affect hormone levels, disrupting libido. Eating a diet rich in vegetables, low in sugar, and high in lean proteins can help prevent disorders that affect libido.

Try herbal remedies

There is little research into how effective herbal remedies are at improving sexual function in males and females, though some people may find them beneficial. A review study states that there is limited but emerging data that the following herbal remedies may improve sexual function.

Get regular exercise

Regular exercise can help libido in many ways. A study of men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy, which lowers testosterone levels, found that regular exercise helped men cope with body image concerns, low libido, and relationship changes.

Maintain a moderate weight

Some scientists link overweight and having obesity with low sex drive and other factors related to reduced fertility. This may be due to hormonal factors, such as low testosterone concentrations. Maintaining a moderate body weight can improve a person’s sex drive, both physically and psychologically. Eating a healthy, balanced diet and getting regular exercise can help achieve this, as well as boost a person’s overall energy levels.

Try sex therapy

Sexual desire is complex, with both psychological and physical components. Even when a person has a physical condition that affects libido, such as diabetes, improving the emotional and psychological response to sex can improve libido and sexual functioning.

Therapy is an effective strategy for increasing low libido. Individual counseling can help address negative views about sex, self-esteem, and secondary causes of low sex drive, such as depression and anxiety. Relationship counseling can help some people work through factors affecting their sexual desire.

Quit smoking

Smoking cigarettes can have a negative impact on a person’s cardiovascular system. Good heart health is important for good sexual functioning. People who smoke cigarettes may find that their energy levels and sex drive increase after stopping.