For centuries, alchemists have searched for the ultimate sexual elixir, but the search has become more desperate and, for some, a necessity. It is not, however, a simple matter of taking a magic potion. There are insidious things going on in our lifestyles and environment that are undermining our desire to do it.
Of course, past experiences, lack of communication, insecurity and other emotional triggers can interfere with the ability to want sex and get aroused. But those aside, after the initial flush of excitement with a new partner – which bars all obstacles to having sex such as the legendary headache or tiredness – you may be wise to take some steps to keep up your drive.
The feminisation of nature aside from fancying someone, sex drive is largely dictated by hormones. Over the last 50 years, there’s been an undeniable escalation in hormone-related problems such as infertility, breast and prostate cancers and an array of hormonal imbalances, particularly in women.
The two key factors in low libido
1 The incidence of baby boys being born with genital defects and undescended testes has doubled. In her ground-breaking book The Feminisation of Nature, Deborah Cadbury demonstrates how a growing number of commonly-occurring chemicals found in the air, water and food are disrupting hormone balances and altering the course of nature.
Many leading scientists have come to the same conclusion. “We have unwittingly entered the ultimate Faustian bargain… In return for all the benefits of our modern society, and all the amazing products of modern life, we have more testicular cancer and more breast cancer. We may also affect the ability of the species to reproduce,” says Devra Lee Davis, former deputy health policy adviser to the US Government.
Although we’re not actually talking about cancers and genital defects here, similar processes of hormone imbalance are behind a drop in sex drive.
The chemicals referred to are oestrogen-like compounds found in pesticides, plastics, household cleaning products, industrial pollutants and pharmaceutical drugs. These hormone disruptors mimic the role played by oestrogen in the body, messing up the normal hormone production and messaging that contributes to sex drive.
When men are exposed to high amounts of such so-called xeno-oestrogens, they can develop female characteristics such as breast growth. At the same time, they affect sex drive and other particularly male characteristics such as muscular strength and development. In other words xeno-oestrogens can interfere with the role of the male hormone testosterone in the body of both men and women.
2 Stress appears to be a major contributing factor to the widespread decline in libido.
If your stress reserves are low, not only is a tough day at the office or a family crisis going to take its toll, but also a hard night partying or a strenuous session at the gym. Although the body needs its stress response to deal with everyday life, if stress is prolonged or extreme, the response can have negative effects on many aspects of health including hormone balance.
Testosterone is a steroid hormone, derived from cholesterol. Another important steroid hormone is cortisol, which is secreted as part of the body’s response to stress. Both testosterone and cortisol are derived from progesterone. So if from cholesterol your body makes progesterone and this can then go on to make either testosterone or cortisol, then you can see why, at times of stress, the progesterone is used to produce cortisol, leaving a testosterone deficit.
Although in more serious cases, testosterone medication (on prescription only) may help, it is not getting to the root cause of the deficiency. So rather than just adding testosterone, or even taking so-called aphrodisiacs, it makes sense to help control the body’s stress response.
This must primarily take the form of reducing the stress in your life and your attitude towards life’s events, but can also be given a hand by modifying your diet and taking certain supplements.
Natural help for your libido
Avoiding stimulants such as coffee, tea, alcohol, cigarettes and sugary foods and drinks can go a long way to stabilising your body’s response to stress by helping to balance your blood sugar levels.
Caffeine, nicotine and alcohol also impede blood flow, which interferes with proper function of the male and female sex organs during sex.
It’s also helpful to eat regularly, have some protein at each meal and eat fresh, unprocessed, fibre-rich foods.
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) from fish, nut and seed oils are also important for hormone production and effective hormonal messaging.
Include oily fish, nuts and seeds (eg pumpkin, sunflower, almonds and Brazils) in your diet at least three times a week.
Excessive stress can also interfere with the thyroid – a symptom of low thyroid function (hypothyroidism) is a low libido in both men and women.
If you also have weight gain or difficulty losing weight, dry skin, water retention and depression, it may be worth getting your doctor to run a test to see whether hypothyroidism is behind your low sex drive.
Nutrients for combating stress
The body’s main stress response comes from the adrenal glands, which rely on a good supply of several nutrients to work efficiently.
An important one is vitamin C (take 1g a day), others are B5 (best taken as part of a high-strength multivitamin/ mineral supplement or B complex) as well as the minerals magnesium and chromium (which is particularly important for helping to balance blood sugar levels, take 200mcg daily). B5 helps to convert choline into the important neuro-transmitter acetylcholine which plays a role in sex drive and vaginal lubrication.
There are several herbs which can also help redress any imbalances in the adrenal glands.
Rhodiola contains active ingredients which act as ‘adaptogens’ in the body which means that they improve the way the body deals with stress – mental, physical and environmental.
One study of 128 people showed 64 per cent of participants had an improvement or complete disappearance of symptoms such as fatigue, loss of strength, irritability, headache and decreased work capacity – which is bound to reduce the effect that all of these have on your libido. Take three 250mg capsules daily (standardised to contain 1% salidrozids).
Ginseng is widely regarded as a ‘sexual rejuvenator’ animal studies have shown ginseng to increase testosterone levels, help the body adapt to stress and boost energy.
Cautions: None at recommended doses. Make sure you get a brand whose dose is standardised to contain particular amounts of active ingredients. How much? Panax ginseng 200mg (standardised to 10% ginsenosides) x3 daily, Siberian ginseng 200mg (standardised to 1% eleutherosides) x3 daily.
Muira pauma is native to the Brazilian Amazon, its mechanism of action remains unknown, but it appears to boost libido and enhance sexual experience in both sexes. Traditionally used to alleviate menstrual cramps and discomforts of menopause,it also tonifies the female sex organs. How much? 1g a day.
Antioxidants help to minimise oxidant damage to sex organs and optimise blood flow to sex organs. Cautions: None at recommended dosage. How much? Take a good antioxidant formula that contains the vitamins A, C and E plus zinc, selenium and perhaps lipoic acid and CoQ10.
Damiana is a central American shrub said to stimulate production of testosterone and increase the sensitivity of both the clitoris and penis.
Cautions: No toxicity known. How much? 400–800mg x 3 daily.
Zinc is needed for the enzyme to convert testosterone to its active form, dihydroxytestosterone. Needed to help sustain lubrication of vaginal wall, as well as for pituitary function.
Cautions: Smoking, alcohol, coffee and some drugs deplete zinc. Only toxic at excessive levels ie above 150mg per day. How much? 15mg daily (best as part of a multivitamin/mineral).
Maca is native to Peru’s central highlands, where it has been used in traditional Andean culture to awaken healthy passion.
Cautions: None known. How much? 3-5g of ground maca.
Helpful information:
Libido is subject to many factors, both physical and emotional, and is unfortunately it is a tricky one to get right. Your emotional state will dictate how you respond to sex and all relationships go through times when communication and closeness can be experienced.
At onset of menopause the possible vaginal dryness or discomfort can also be an inhibiting factor so a combination of progesterone and oestrogen can be helpful.
Progesterone can increase sex drive in women and so it is a good start in restoring sexual interest. Testosterone can have this effect and is best supplemented by using its ability to be synthesised in the body from progesterone. Taking any form of testosterone supplement is best taken only under medical supervision due to its potential side effects.
Are Any Of These Killing Your Sex Drive?