Women with a low sex drive, or libido, have a hypoactive sexual disorder that involves persistent or recurrent lack of interest in sex that can cause personal distress, according to MayoClinic.com. Relationship changes, hormone changes, diseases, medications, alcohol, recreational drugs, stress or vaginal dryness or pain can cause a low sex drive and it can vary from woman to woman. Vitamins can help women with low sex drives by enhancing sexual desire, arousal and orgasm.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is naturally present in very few foods, which include fish and fish liver oils; it is fortified in some food products, available as a dietary supplement and produced in the body when ultraviolet rays from sunlight interact with the skin, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements National Institutes of Health. Vitamin D enables calcium absorption in the intestines, supports bone growth, assists in neuromuscular and immune system function and is essential for enhancing sex drive in women. Research conducted by K. Kinuta and published in "Endocrinology" in April 2000 demonstrates that vitamin D is essential for full gonadal function in both sexes and regulates estrogen biosynthesis. Vitamin D can enhance sex drive in women by improving gonadal function and production of sex hormones, such as estrogen, which is associated with libido, sexual arousal and vaginal lubrication, according to research by J.R. Berman published in the "International Journal of Impotence Research" in December 2005.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E, or alpha-tocopherol, is an antioxidant naturally present in foods such as avocado, hazelnuts and wheat germ oil. Its functions in the human body include protecting cells from the damaging effects of other chemicals such as free radicals, stimulating the immune system and preventing or delaying development of cardiovascular disease and cancer, according to the Office of Dietary Supplement National Institutes of Health. Sloan Kettering Institute states that vitamin E also enriches smooth and endothelial cells inside blood vessels. Research by A.M. Traish published in the "Journal of Sexual Medicine" in July 2010 indicates that female genital sexual arousal responses include swelling and lubrication that result from a surge of vaginal and clitoral blood flow that involves stimulation of smooth muscle and epithelial cells of the vagina and clitoris. According to research by J.R. Berman published in "International Journal of Impotence Research" in December 2005, women who have low sex drives may have an inability to attain or maintain adequate sexual excitement and experience lack of genital lubrication, decreased clitoral and labial sensation, or lack of vaginal smooth muscle relaxation from diminished vaginal/clitoral blood flow. Vitamin E vaginal suppositories applied twice weekly can provide relief from vaginal dryness and thinning associated with low sex drive during and after menopause, according to the Women to Women website.
Vitamin B3
Vitamin B3, also called niacin and niacinamide, is naturally present in many foods such as fish, green vegetables and cereal grains. Niacin and niacinamide maintain healthy cells and enhance metabolism of sugars and fats. Niacin or niacinamide can reduce the effects of aging, enhance circulation, promote relaxation and improve orgasm, according to MedlinePlus.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Low Sex Drive in Women
- Office of Dietary Supplements National Institutes of Health Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin D
- "Endocrinology"; Vitamin D Is an Important Factor in Estrogen Biosynthesis of Gonads; Kinuta, K.; Apr 2000
- "International Journal of Impotence Research"; Physiology of Female Sexual Function and Dysfunction; Berman, J.R.; Dec 2005
- Office of Dietary Supplements National Institutes of Health: Vitamin E
