If you’ve reached middle age, and you’re wondering where your sex drive has gone—you are not alone! Million of women as they reach mid-life and enter into the perimenopause and menopause years notice a marked decrease in sexual interest. This is due primarily to an imbalance in the reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone.
During menopause, levels of hormones decrease, leading to loss of libido. This is when many women report not only symptoms of low sex drive, but also vaginal dryness, hot flashes, depression, fatigue, weight gain, thinning hair, foggy thinking, and mood swings.
Causes of low sex drive can be physical or psychological. The important thing is to identify the reason for loss of libido. Only after this, can you find an effective solution and enjoy a healthy sex life again. Often times a few healthy lifestyle changes in combination with alternative treatments can help treat loss of libido as well as other symptoms of menopause.
If you’re one of the many women who suffer from sexual dysfunction due to hormonal changes…
Here are Some Tips to Help Rekindle Your Sexual Desire While Helping You Feel More Youthfully Vibrant and Alive:
Eat a Libido Boosting Diet
Bad eating habits along with a high-stress lifestyle can really wreak havoc on a woman’s hormones and can throw them out of balance. Symptoms of hormonal imbalance may include low sex drive, allergies, weight gain, depression, fatigue, facial hair growth, hair loss, and changes in the skin.
Diet plays a critical role in sexual function, including sex drive. To get your hormones back on track, add more lean protein to your diet and consume low-glycemic carbs rich in phytonutrients (plant-based foods), omega-3 essential fatty acids, as well as magnesium and zinc. Phytonutrients are naturally found in foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and teas.
Feed Your Libido – Since chronic inflammation can exacerbate the symptoms of menopause and alter sex drive, it’s recommended that you follow a libido boosting, anti-inflammatory diet while lowering your intake of processed and refined foods. Eliminate all artificial sweeteners and avoid foods that suppress sexual function and stress your adrenal glands, such as alcohol and caffeine, and limit starchy foods and sugar. And make sure to include a high quality multi-vitamin, a CoQ10 supplement, a calcium and magnesium supplement, and fish oil in your daily diet.
Natural Aphrodisiac Foods – Arouse or intensify sexual desire with these libido enhancing foods—chocolate (preferably dark), almonds, asparagus, avocado, bananas, caviar, cucumbers, figs, hemp seeds, honey, hot chile peppers, oysters, pumpkin seeds, wheat germ, and wine. Also, spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, anise, garlic, basil, and turmeric have been known to enhance libido.
Balance Your Hormones Naturally
Our primary female sex hormones levels decline as we age. Women who suffer from menopausal-related symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, memory loss, vaginal dryness, decreased bone density, weight gain, and loss of libido may benefit from the use of natural hormones.
Conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is commonly prescribed for symptoms of menopause. Therapy can be given as a pill, patch, vaginal ring, skin gel, cream or spray. Hormone therapy has been shown to also reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is another treatment that has been used for years to help women experiencing these symptoms. Bioidentical hormones are identical to the hormones that are naturally produced by a woman’s body. The primary goal of BHRT is not only to alleviate menopausal symptoms, but to restore hormonal balance to improve your quality of life.
For Optimal Health and to Naturally Keep Your Hormones in Balance:
*Consume a Healthy Diet
*Get Adequate Rest and Sleep
*Keep Stress Levels Low
*Exercise for 30 Minutes at Least 3 Times a Week
*Consume More Omega-3 Fatty Acids
*Take Hormone Balancing Herbal Supplements
*Avoid or Limit Caffeine and Alcohol
NOTE: If you are a woman who suffers from hormonal imbalance, it’s recommended to consult a physician that specializes in female hormonal disorders before using any type of HRT.
Herbal Remedies to Restore Low Sex Drive
There are two kinds of herbal supplements for treating loss of libido— phytoestrogenic herbs and non estrogenic herbs. Phytoestrogenic herbs contain phytoestrogens, which produce compounds, similar to estrogen. These herbs are known to increase low estrogen levels. Non-estrogenic herbs do not contain estrogen, but instead are efficient at nourishing and balancing the hormonal glands.
Popular herbal supplements like horny goat weed, black cohosh, dong quai, wild yam, ginseng, maca root, and chaste berry are natural menopausal remedies that have been shown to increase sexual desire in women. The phytoestrogens and botanicals in these herbs have been used for centuries to help maintain healthy estrogen levels while helping relieve the symptoms of menopause.
Herbal Menopausal Remedies That Have Been Shown to Increase Sexual Desire in Women:
Black Cohosh – Used as a folk remedy by Native Americans for a variety of female problems—black cohosh is a commonly used treatment of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes (aka flushes), mood swings, irritability, vaginal dryness, lack of sexual interest, menstrual cramping, and sleep disturbances. Additionally, research indicates that black cohosh benefits in the reduction of inflammation symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Black cohosh is a common ingredient in most menopausal herbal combinations.
Chaste Berry – The chaste berry grows on the chaste tree, which is native to the Mediterranean region. Typically the dried berries are used medicinally in capsules, tablets, tinctures, and teas. Chaste berry contains estrogen and progesterone like compounds, which regulate hormonal imbalance and counteract symptoms of menopause. Chaste berry may be combined with other herbs for maximum effect.
Dong Quai – A very popular herb in China where it has been used for thousands of years—dong quai, which is nicknamed the “female ginseng,” alleviates vaginal dryness, reduces hot flashes, balances estrogen levels, increases sex drive, and regulates periods.
Ginseng – A part of Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years– ginseng is a phytoestrogenic herb that contains human-like hormones which increase estrogen levels in the body, and has been shown to help women who suffer from hormonal imbalance. Ginsengs benefits also include reducing symptoms of fuzzy thinking, inability to concentrate, and fatigue.
Maca Root – An extremely nutritious root—the maca root contains essential mineral and fatty acids and is rich in protein and vital nutrients. Maca root is extremely beneficial to women entering menopause, as it encourages and increases the balance between estrogen and progesterone. Maca root works well for symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, mood swings, and loss of libido.
Red Clover – Red clover is a plant that is native to Europe and Asia. Used as a medicinal herb as a treatment for perimenopause and menopause—red clover contains isoflavones, which are plant-based chemicals that mimic the effects of estrogen on our bodies. These isoflavones help in managing the many physical and emotional symptoms of menopause. In addition, red clover is also an excellent source of nutrients.
Wild Yam – Used for centuries for the treatment of female-related problems such as menstrual cramps, menopausal, peri-and postmenopausal symptoms—wild yam is considered a “natural alternative” for regulating the female system. Wild yam is used as an antiinflammatory and hormone balancing herb and is available in cream form, as a supplement, as a tincture, and as a tea.
NOTE: Talk to your doctor before using herbal medicine to treat menopausal symptoms.
Kegel Exercises for Better Sex
Kegel (pronounced KAY-gul) exercises were invented by Dr. Arnold Kegel to help women (and men, too) strengthen their pelvic floor muscles. Kegel exercises are often prescribed by doctors for new moms and women suffering from urinary incontinence. But as an added bonus, studies show that by contracting and relaxing the muscles of the pelvic floor for 20 repetitions, held for 3-5 seconds each, three times a day on a daily basis, have been found to be one of the most effective ways to treat sexual dysfunction in women.
How are Kegal Exercises Performed? First empty your bladder. Pretend you are stopping the flow or urine. While isolating the muscles, squeeze or contract and hold for a count of 3-5 seconds and then relax for 3-5 seconds and repeat. Start with 20 repetitions 3 times a day and as you get stronger, build up to a minimum of 200 daily. It’s important to breathe normally and use only the pelvic muscles. Kegel exercises can be performed lying on your back with your knees bent or can be done very inconspicuously anywhere or anytime—sitting at the computer, traffic lights, watching television, etc. Consistency is key! Do kegel exercises daily and faithfully and you WILL see and feel the results!
Ignite Your Sex Life
We are all vital sexual creatures. Sexual activity has been called nature’s fountain of youth. Sex raises the levels of life-extending hormones including endorphins, DHEA, and human growth hormones, while lowering stress hormones (cortisol) which can shorten your life span. Unfortunately, many people are missing out on the many health benefits of sex.
Many times in our hectic day to day lives, we just don’t feel like it—and coupled with our loss of libido due to menopausal symptoms and hormonal imbalances, often time’s sex is the last thing on our minds. But sex is part of the balance of life. Without sex, we’re missing out not only on one of the great all-time pleasures in life, but on the numerous health and anti-aging benefits of having an active sex life for both women and men.
Get Hot and Healthy – Orgasms are natural stress relievers, releasing a cocktail of “feel good” hormones like oxytocin, endorphins (a natural opiate), serotonin, as well as DHEA into our body. Oxytocin is produced as a result of touch and is sometimes referred to as the “cuddle hormone” as it promotes feelings of affection. By increasing levels of DHEA into the body, it’s proven to reverse aging by boosting the immune system and improving both brain function and cardiovascular health, as well as promoting younger, healthy-looking skin. Experts claim having sex generates estrogen, even during menopause, which may in turn, help to alleviate menopausal symptoms.
Get Your Groove Back – If you suffer from a loss of libido, there are ways to resurrect and rekindle your sexual desires. First, voice your concerns with your doctor. Get a complete exam, including a pelvic exam. Your doctor may look for physical and/or psychological causes that may cause loss of libido, such as prescription or over-the-counter medications which can cause sexual dysfunction. By listening to your body and openly communicating with you doctor, you can get back to your old self and enjoy a healthy sex life once again. The worst thing you can do is ignore your symptoms and avoid having sex all together.
NOTE: For those who do not have a partner, there are other ways to achieve orgasm, such as through the use of adult toys and self-stimulation. Masturbation can be very empowering for women, as it gives you control over your body and sexuality, and is a great way to relieve sexual tension that can build up over time, especially for those without partners.
Aromatherapy for Menopausal Relief
The symptoms of menopause can significantly impact a woman’s physical and emotional health and can lead to a decreased quality of life. Many women have turned to natural remedies to alleviate the symptoms of menopause such as aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy is the practice of using the natural botanical oils extracted from the aromatic plants to enhance health and well-being. Essential oils are very powerful chemicals that influence hormone production, brain chemistry, and stress levels. Aromatherapy essential oils affect you physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually and have been used for centuries for their anti-septic, anti-viral, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties.
Aromatherapy Works in Two Ways – Through your sense of smell and absorbed through the skin. The inhaled aroma from essential oils is widely used to stimulate brain function. Suggested uses for essential oils are through inhalation, massage, with the use of a diffuser, and in the bath.
When it comes to alleviating menopausal symptoms, aromatherapy essential oils can have a remarkable effect on hormone balancing when combined with an effective diet and exercise plan—helping with both physical and emotional symptoms.
Ease Menopausal Symptoms With These Aromatherapy Essential Oils:
Hot Flashes – Peppermint, Lemon, Clary Sage
Hormonal Imbalance – Clary Sage, Fennel, Myrrh
Mood Swings – Chamomile, Jasmine, Cypress
Fatigue – Ginger, Peppermint, Pine Needle
Poor Memory – Coriander, Ginger, Rosemary
Anxiety – Chamomile, Jasmine, Lavender
Depression – Bergamot, Neroli, Melissa
Irritability – Patchouli, Cardamom, Neroli
Night Sweats – Clary Sage, Basil, Thyme
Headaches – Chamomile, Lavender, Peppermint
Combine a few drop of the essential oils with a few drops of a carrier oil (such as sweet almond), and massage into skin—or add 10 drops to your bath water and soak for 15-20 minutes.
NOTE: Before aromatherapy essential oils can be used, they must first be diluted in a carrier oil since they are too potent to use alone. Carrier oils provide the necessary lubrication and ‘slip and glide’ to allow the hands to move freely over the skin and not drag while massaging. Carrier oils contain vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids that moisturize and improve the condition of the skin.
Some of the Most Popular Varieties of Carrier Oils
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