Is it possible to increase your libido?
The quick answer to whether it is possible to have improve and increase low libido is yes, if you seek to understand and treat the underlying cause(s) of the issue.
While partners may not always have the same sex drive, if you’re noticing low libido and it’s starting to become an issue in your relationship, it might be time to check in with a medical professional. Whether you’re a woman or a man, it is possible that a low libido is impacting your sex life negatively. Before giving up, let’s talk about the causes and cures so that you can get back to feeling like yourself again.
What is low libido?
Low libido refers to a decreased interest in sexual activity. While interest can vary over your lifetime, long periods of disinterest may be a sign that something is wrong. The solution is to see a doctor. Yes, it can be embarrassing to talk about your sex life, but it is important – and confidential – for you to be honest about what is happening, or not happening, behind closed doors.
Signs, Causes, and Treatment of Low Libido in Men
Men with a low libido experience a decreased sex drive that may be due to low testosterone, the male sex hormone. Symptoms include low energy, mood swings, decreased muscle mass, difficulty with erections, and decreased libido. In our article Low Testosterone Symptoms and How to Treat Them, we talk in greater depth about what men may be experiencing as they age.
Other symptoms1 include:
- Side effects of medication
- Depression, and some medications prescribed to treat depression
- Restless Leg Syndrome
- Chronic illnesses including diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure
Common treatments for low testosterone include male bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, as well as lifestyle changes. BHRT improves your mood and overall well-being while reducing risks for diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, and high cholesterol. It is also helpful for maintaining muscle mass and improves sexual health and function.2, 3, 4, 5
If you are experiencing the symptoms of low libido, our naturopathic physicians can talk to you and run tests to determine the root cause. Once we know the cause, we can treat and manage the symptoms.
Signs, Causes, and Treatment of Low Libido in Women
As with men, women experience low libido in varying degrees over the course of their lives. While some fluctuation is a natural part of life, if it remains for an extended length of time then it is time to explore the cause and treat it. The most common cause is hormone imbalance though, like with men, there are other causes, including 6:
- Side effects of medication
- Depression and some prescription medications intended to treat the condition
- Fatigue, poor body image, low self-esteem, history of sexual abuse
- Surgery related to breasts or genital area
The most important action you can take is to seek medical attention. While women also have testosterone, it isn’t the main hormone for sexual function, though it may be a contributing factor in low libido caused by hormone imbalance.
At Atlas Health Medical Group, we talk to you about your low libido and run tests to investigate all the possible causes. If we find that hormone imbalance is the cause of your low libido, we may recommend bioidentical hormone therapy as a treatment, along with other naturopathic/natural hormone therapies.
Whether you’re a man or a woman with a low libido, we are here to find the cause and start you on a path to a healthy sex life. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
References:
1 https://www.healthline.com/health/low-testosterone/conditions-that-cause-low-libido#restless-legs-syndrome
2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5512682/
3 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26154489/
4 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8678922/
5 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20126841/
6 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-sex-drive-in-women/symptoms-causes/syc-20374554
