One in three ladies within the age group of 30-59 years could expertise what they understand to be low libido sooner or later of their lives, say stories. There might be many causes behind it, however what’s essential is to know that libido, or the need or urge for food for intercourse, can say lots about ladies’s well being.

According to Dr Neha Abhijit Pawar, advisor—obstetrician and gynaecologist, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, libido is a crucial a part of ladies’s wellness that’s usually neglected. “Unfortunately, this aspect of health is not discussed during medical appointments as it can be embarrassing for women patients. But like any other urge or requirement, the need for physical intimacy and affection is an absolutely natural thing for your overall physical and mental well-being. Low libido is the most common female sexual dysfunction,” she provides.

Experts have acknowledged {that a} wholesome intercourse drive or a balanced libido usually varies from woman to girl, and with altering preferences or residing situations, medical situations, hormone ranges, medicines, life-style and relationship issues. But the time period that’s generally used to explain sexual drive can turn out to be a well-recognized subject of debate provided that extra ladies are open to communication.

Libido can fluctuate as a result of varied components together with hormonal adjustments, stress ranges, relationship dynamics, life-style components and private preferences. The secret is to know tips on how to cope with it. If you’re feeling distressed or involved about your libido, don’t hesitate to hunt steerage from a healthcare skilled or therapist who specialises in sexual well being. Mental well being issues, comparable to nervousness or melancholy, stress, poor physique picture, low shallowness and relationship points, can even have an effect on your intercourse drive.

As per Pawar, bodily causes of low libido can embrace a variety of sicknesses. Medications can even result in low intercourse drive, together with sexual issues, she says. “Many nonsexual diseases, including arthritis, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and neurological diseases, can affect sex drive. In fact, medications or certain prescription drugs, especially antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are known to lower the sex drive. Lifestyle habits like alcohol consumption and smoking decrease blood flow, which may dull arousal. Apart from surgery related to breasts or genital tract, exhaustion from caring for young children or ageing parents can also contribute to low sex drive,” provides Pawar.

In truth, estrogen ranges drop throughout the transition to menopause, which may additionally have an effect on libido. Hormonal adjustments throughout being pregnant simply after having a child and through breast-feeding, fatigue and the pressures of being pregnant or caring for a brand new child can contribute to adjustments in libido too.

Both excessive and low libido are widespread, and each are kinds of sexual dysfunction that may intervene with a lady’s general sense of well-being. “Just as low libido can be a cause of many mental and physical ailments, so can high libido, which can disrupt the ability to concentrate or be distressing,” provides Pawar.

Dealing with it

Dr Madhura Samudra, a Pune-based advisor psychiatrist and intercourse educator, finds sure vitamins important for sexual well being, together with zinc, vitamin D, vitamin B, magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids. “Deficiencies in these nutrients can contribute to low libido. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats can support overall well-being, including sexual desire. Unstable blood sugar levels due to a poor diet high in refined carbohydrates and added sugars can lead to hormonal imbalances, fatigue and low energy levels, all of which can negatively impact libido. Consuming a diet that stabilises blood sugar through eating balanced meals and snacks that include protein, healthy fats and fibre can help maintain stable energy levels and support libido,” says Samudra.

Busting myths, specialists say meals together with herbs like ginkgo biloba, ginseng, maca, saffron, fenugreek or pink wine have solely anecdotal proof to spice up libido. “Chocolate, coffee, honey, strawberries, figs, bananas, potatoes, nuts, asparagus, ashwagandha, nutraceuticals or medications also have no scientific evidence to support,” provides Pawar.

Even espresso and berries, that are claimed to be aphrodisiacs, don’t have any proof in relation to boosting libido.

In truth, the effectiveness of nutraceuticals or merchandise derived from meals sources to supply additional well being advantages range. While nutraceuticals are marketed for having well being advantages past their fundamental dietary content material or have aphrodisiac properties or promote sexual want, there may be restricted scientific analysis on the effectiveness of nutraceuticals in boosting libido in ladies. It is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare skilled or a professional naturopathic physician earlier than attempting any nutraceuticals or natural dietary supplements.

“Artificial libido boosters such as medications or hormone therapies prescribed by healthcare professionals can be safe when used under proper guidance and supervision. These treatments are typically prescribed for individuals experiencing a diagnosed medical condition that affects their libido, such as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) or low testosterone levels. However, it is important to note that any medication or treatment comes with potential risks and side effects. Like all drugs, artificial libido enhancers can have adverse reactions, including nausea, dizziness, fatigue, low blood pressure, or interactions with other medications. Hence, it is not advisable to use unregulated, over-the-counter, or online-purchased products claiming to boost libido, as their safety, efficacy and quality cannot be reliably verified, and they may carry significant risks to health,” provides Samudra.

According to Samudra, there isn’t a proper age or time to take libido boosters because it varies from individual to individual. “The decision to take libido boosters, whether artificial or natural, should be based on an individual’s specific situation after a thorough assessment of one’s overall health, medical history, and any potential risks or interactions with other medications. Libido fluctuates naturally throughout life, and a decrease in sexual desire is not necessarily indicative of a medical problem. However, if there are persistent concerns or if libido changes are causing significant distress, it may be beneficial to seek guidance from a healthcare professional who can evaluate the situation and offer appropriate recommendations,” she says.

BOOST YOUR SEX DRIVE

Engage in mindfulness, meditation, yoga or deep respiration workouts

At least 150 min of moderate-intensity train per week

Sufficient sleep is essential, even for sexual well being

Have a nutritious, well-balanced food regimen usually

Regular bodily exercise can enhance blood move, enhance temper and improve vitality ranges

Open and trustworthy communication together with your accomplice about needs, fantasies and 

any challenges can enhance intimacy and enhance libido

APPS TO GET YOU STARTED

• Ferly:  It mindfully lets customers enhance their sexual well-being by making use of audio guides. Users can take heed to a narrative, the science behind intercourse, and many others
• Dipsea: It has wild and erotic audio tales
• Emjoy: It has audio guides on lust, pleasure, want and shallowness
• Lover: It offers vivid content material to learn, watch and pay attention on all points of intercourse with interactive actions and quizzes, ideas 
• and tips
• Coral: It offers life classes on bed room fundamentals, knowledgeable recommendation and actual tales
• Lovely: It can take suggestions and personalised recommendations on tips on how to enhance intercourse life
• Lioness: It calculates and works on varied components that have an effect on intercourse life
• TeaseMe: It has audio fantasy tales
• OMGYes: It is an academic platform for ladies telling strategies, detailed tutorial movies and guided help
• Cupla: It presents shared calendars, to-do lists, date-night planners, and many others
• Pillow: It has audio guides for excellent intimacy
• Kindu: It presents a digital deck of card video games, prompts and intimacy-building questions
• Desire: It works on fact or dare with credit and factors to win and compete together with your accomplice
• Honi: It lets customers share fantasies, positions to check out and recommendations on enhancing intimacy
• iKamasutra: It is a information to over 200 positions