A stressful day, too little sleep, feeling unhappy with your body--there are many reasons for a woman's sex drive to lull, and the waning is totally normal. But the good news is that there are steps you can take to boost your libido, which can ultimately leave you and your partner happier.
Step 1
Stay physically active. When you're not feeling good about your body, your sex drive can wane. Exercise not only tones your body and makes you look better, but the act of exercising in itself boosts self-image, according to a study published in October 2009 in the Journal of Health Psychology by University of Florida researchers. When you feel good about yourself, you're more likely to feel frisky in the bedroom. What's more, exercise may ease stress levels, which can also improve sex drive.
Step 2
Eat libido-enhancing foods, which include oysters and chili peppers.
A 2009 study published in the Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences reports that zinc, a major component of oysters, boosts sexual activity in male animals; in 2005, Australian biologist George Fisher discovered that oysters also contain two rare amino acids, D-aspartic acid and N-methyl-D-aspartate, that boost the production of sex hormones such as testosterone and progesterone, which are tied to libido.
Capsaicin, the component that makes chili peppers hot, boosts heart rate and the release of endorphins, which gives you a natural high that can be conducive to lovemaking. It may help, then, to eat spicy foods.
Step 3
Take supplements of gingko biloba, an herbal remedy produced from the leaves of the gingko biloba tree. According to the website Discovery Health, gingko biloba increases blood flow to the brain and sexual organs. It may enhance sexual desire, excitement and orgasm.
Step 4
Change your birth control. Some hormone-based contraceptives can have a negative impact on sex drive. Talk to your doctor about switching to a more libido-friendly type.
Things You'll Need
- Oysters and chili peppers
- Gingko biloba supplements
