Although there are many amazing parts to a relationship, there’s no denying that sexual chemistry is definitely a big part of a partnership. Many men and women struggle with low libido, which can have a big impact on your relationships. However, there are also many different strategies that you can use to increase your sexual desire and improve your intimacy with your partner.
Keep reading to discover how to increase your libido.
A complete guide on how to increase your libido
Sex has many benefits for your health, and for most couples, it plays a huge role in intimacy. However, it’s not always easy to get in the mood for sex, and there are a lot of factors that can decrease your sex drive.
According to the Oregon Health and Science University, the health benefits of a healthy sex life include:
- Improved immune system
- Better cardiovascular health
- Decreased stress levels
- Better sleep quality
- Natural pain relief
- Better self-esteem
- Lower depression and anxiety
Let’s find out what you can do to improve your libido.
Improve your communication with your partner
One of the most important parts of sex starts long before you even head to the bedroom, and it’s communication.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, these strategies can help improve your sexual life:
- Try new things together
- Plan romantic dates
- Incorporate more foreplay into your sexual experiences, such as kissing or massaging
- Use lubricant and switch positions if you feel discomfort
- Discuss any issues in your relationship
- Seek professional help, such as individual or couples therapy, to address any issues
Exercise regularly
Working out regularly and staying in shape can do wonders for your sex drive. Exercise releases happy hormones, and it helps balance different neurotransmitters and signals in your nervous system. Additionally, working out can help you stay in shape and boost your self-confidence.
A study published by the Journal of Education and Health Promotionfound a positive relationship between physical fitness and sexual health. Some of the parameters that were positively affected by fitness and regular exercise included:
- Self-concept
- Arousal
- Orgasms
- Sex drive
- Improved erectile dysfunction
This doesn’t mean that you have to become a fitness fanatic to reap the benefits of exercise. Harvard Medical School states that just 30 minutes of exercise a day reduces men’s risk of having erectile dysfunction by 41 percent. Additionally, 20 minutes of cycling can increase women’s sexual arousal by a whopping 169 percent.
Get better sleep
Sleeping well plays a big role in your overall quality of life, and poor sleep can make it more difficult to get through your day and enjoy many activities. This makes sense, since most of us will agree that fatigue isn’t a great aphrodisiac.
According to research published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, longer sleep can be associated with increased sexual desire and better arousal. Sleep deprivation has also been associated with erectile dysfunction and sexual dysfunction.
Limit your alcohol intake
Although moderate alcohol intake is mostly harmless for most people — and it can even have some benefits — excessive alcohol consumption can negatively impact many areas of your life, including your libido. Alcohol can affect different processes that are involved in sexual function, such as blood circulation, breathing, and nerve sensitivity.
Alcohol can also decrease your natural lubrication, make it more difficult to maintain an erection, and reduce your chances of reaching an orgasm. Men can also find it harder to ejaculate after heavy drinking. According to a study published by the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, sexual dysfunction is common in men who drink excessively.
Manage your daily stress levels
Mental health and wellbeing issues, such as stress and anxiety, can feel overwhelming and prevent you from enjoying your sexuality. Chronic stress releases hormones that affect your nervous system to trigger stress responses, which makes it harder for you to relax and enjoy intimacy.
Stress can also worsen health conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases and depressions, that can have a negative impact on your sexuality on their own.
Take care of your sexual health
Having an STD represents a big health risk for you and your partner, since untreated STDs can be transmitted quite easily during unprotected sex and lead to numerous health complications if left untreated. But even if you don’t have any symptoms of an STD, regular STD testing can help boost your sexual intimacy.
If you’re in a new monogamous relationship, getting tested for STDs can help both you and your partner feel more comfortable with your intimacy and sexuality, since you’ll know that you’re doing everything right in order to ensure a healthy sex life. You can learn more about STD testing at STDWatch.com.
Seek professional help
There’s no shame in asking your doctor for help with your sexual drive. There are
According to the Cleveland Clinic, it’s also important to manage any underlying health conditions in order to increase your libido, since chronic disease can impact your sexuality. Some of the conditions that can affect your sex life include:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Neurological disorders
- Hormonal imbalances
- Kidney or liver disease
- Alcoholism or drug abuse
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Certain medications
References
- The Benefits of a Healthy Sex Life - ohsu.edu
- Want to Improve Your Sex Life After 50? You Are Not Alone - health.clevelandclinic.org
- An investigation of the relationship between physical fitness, self-concept, and sexual functioning - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5 ways exercise improves your quality of life - health.harvard.edu
- The impact of sleep on female sexual response and behavior: a pilot study - pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in male subjects with alcohol dependence - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Sexual Dysfunction - my.clevelandclinic.org
