Tips for rejuvenating your libido and boosting your sex drive.
It is normal for a woman’s sex drive to change over the years. Emotional and physical changes can make it so your sex drive seems to be in high gear sometimes, and barely there at other times. If you have been noticing that your sex drive just isn't what it used to be, there are many ways you can do something about it.
Reasons for Loss of Sex Drive
A woman's sex drive is complex. It is affected by physical and hormonal changes in the body, and as well as by the flood of different emotions that hormones can elicit. As women get older and hormones start to dwindle, many can find themselves “not in the mood” for sex in the way they may have been in the past. And even when they are in the mood, changes in their body can result in vaginal dryness and pain during sex, which can make the thought of sex unappealing.
"The libido response in women is such a complex problem. If women are unhappy in a relationship, it can affect libido. If it hurts, it can affect libido. If she doesn't feel good about herself, it can affect libido. It's hard to tease all of those factors out," says Judi Chervenak, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City.
And with the hormonal changes that occur around the time of menopause, women tend to have less vaginal lubrication as they get older. This change can make having sex more uncomfortable, having the additional side effect of a reduced sex drive.
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So while there might be many causes of a reduced sex drive, there are techniques you can call on that can help boost your sex drive. These include:
- Using lubrication to ease vaginal dryness and to help make intercourse more enjoyable if you are experiencing symptoms of discomfort.
- Exercising. Regular physical activity can boost feel-good endorphins and can also improve your body image, making you feel sexier and giving your libido a healthy boost. In addition, Kegel exercises (exercises done to tighten the pelvic muscles) can work to enhance sexual sensations and help boost desire.
- Communicating with your partner. Opening the lines of communication with your partner can help you feel more connected, and more inclined for romance. If relationship problems are spilling over into your sex life, this may be a good time to talk with a neutral third party (such as a therapist or counselor) to work on correcting any underlying issues you and your partner may be having.
- Aphrodisiacs. While there is no real science backing this up, a romantic evening featuring some well-known aphrodisiac culinary delights might do the trick. A little champagne, some oysters, some dark chocolate — who knows where it will lead? Other therapies marketed as aphrodisiacs, including various herbs and supplements, do not have any science behind them and also may be risky, depending on what the product is and your medical history. Talk to your doctor before trying any of these.