Revitalizing Sexual Desire After Childbirth
With a few exceptions, most supplements for sexual function haven't been studied scientifically. At best, says Dr.
Female Libido Supplements FAQs
Physical changes can do a number on your sexual interest. New medications and other changes to your health can impact your interest in getting frisky. Your age may be a consideration, too, as low sex drive is commonly associated with changes that happen in perimenopause and postmenopause. And for some people, issues in how your body responds to sex and sexual arousal can keep you from getting in the mood — like muscle tension, blood flow and lubrication. Additionally, emotional struggles can relegate sex to the back burner, especially if you’re living with concerns like: And in other cases, you can experience reduced sexual desire for no obvious reason — a condition sometimes called hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
What causes low libido in females? +
“Low libido can stem from any number of concerns, and there may be more than one issue at play,” Dr. Zanotti explains. “The important thing to remember is that you’re not alone and that low sex drive isn’t a reflection on you or your relationship.” Depending on the reasons for your decreased sexual interest, there are medications and other options available that may help you get your groove back. “Low sexual desire is often multifactorial, and medications may not fix it all,” Dr. Zanotti acknowledges.
3. Shatavari
“It’s important to investigate the causes. Medication, along with seeing a sexual therapist, can be very helpful for various sexual dysfunction issues.” Dr. Zanotti explains some options to increase female libido. This prescription pill has been available since 2015. Flibanserin (brand name Addyi®) is taken nightly and can vardenafil premature ejaculation ramp up sex drive, Dr. O'Leary, they have a placebo effect (a beneficial result from an inactive treatment).
| Product | Dosage | Quantity + Bonus | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamagra Soft Tabs | 100mg | 180 + 8 Pills | 425.45€ 405.19€ | |
| Levitra Professional | 20mg | 270 + 6 Pills | 738.98€ 703.79€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 40mg | 60 + 6 Pills | 130.98€ 124.74€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 10mg | 10 Pills | 28.93€ 27.55€ | |
| Kamagra Polo | 100mg | 272 + 12 Pills | 622.94€ 593.28€ | |
| Kamagra Polo | 100mg | 20 Pills | 83.56€ 79.58€ | |
| Super Kamagra | 160 mg | 32 + 4 Pills | 218.25€ 207.86€ | |
| Priligy Generic Dapoxetine | 60mg | 120 + 10 Pills | 341.26€ 325.01€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 50mg | 270 + 8 Pills | 198.48€ 189.03€ | |
| Levitra Original | 20mg | 14 + 2 Pills | 102.27€ 97.40€ | |
| Kamagra Soft Tabs | 100 mg | 120 + 6 Pills | 311.78€ 296.93€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 2.5mg | 180 + 10 Pills | 154.86€ 147.49€ | |
| Cialis Soft Tabs | 20mg | 10 Pills | 39.03€ 37.17€ | |
| Kamagra Polo | 100mg | 12 Pills | 60.21€ 57.34€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 60mg | 20 Pills | 65.61€ 62.49€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 20mg | 90 + 6 Pills | 154.71€ 147.34€ |
"That's not trivial in itself," he notes. "For example, when researchers did clinical trials for the prescription medication sildenafil [Viagra], the placebo response was fildena purple pill about 30%. Which tells you that the most important sex organ you have is your brain.
Get Medication Online
And your sexual health matters as much as the rest of it.” Sign up for our Health Essentials emails for expert guidance on nutrition, fitness, sleep, skin care and more. Arousal without orgasm can be uncomfortable, but it’s no reason to pressure sexual interactions Some foods are thought to rev up your sex drive, despite lack of scientific evidence If anxiety is keeping you from having the sex life you want, communication, education and therapy can help Anorgasmia is a fairly common concern with a wide range of physical and psychological causes Your sexual history directly influences ed treatment drugs your physical, mental and emotional health in a multitude of ways ‘Safer sex’ means STI prevention, avoiding unintended pregnancies and psychologically safe practices for everyone It’s perfectly normal for gas pockets to ‘evacuate’ during the motions of sex Stay away from hand lotion and honey, but coconut oil can do the trick These tiny saltwater larvae can get trapped under your swimsuit and trigger an itchy reaction called seabather’s eruption Searching nature for edible items requires training and knowledge to avoid poisonous plants Yes, but you can protect yourself with hats, scarves or even hair sunblock Aging WellAllergiesCancer Care & PreventionChronic PainCold, Flu & Respiratory IllnessesDiabetes & EndocrinologyDigestiveEar, Nose & ThroatEye CareInfectious DiseaseLungOral HealthParentingPregnancy & ChildbirthRecipesRheumatology & ImmunologySenior HealthSex & RelationshipsSleepUrinary & Kidney HealthWeight Loss Rendered: Tue May 26 2026 05:11:35 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) It's February — time to think about roses, chocolates, sweethearts, and romance. And if those sentiments bring you to a certain drugstore aisle stocked with pills and potions promising to boost your sex life, you may want to think twice before buying any. "Most are a phenomenal waste of money, in my opinion," says Dr. Michael O'Leary, a urologist at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital. In men, the brain controls the stimulus to get blood flow to the penis, and furthermore, it controls orgasm and ejaculation. That's why a lot of people with normal vascular function still have sexual dysfunction." But what about the claims that over-the-counter supplements can increase your libido or sexual endurance? They are simply marketing promises designed to sell you a bottle of pills, and nobody's checking in advance to make sure they're accurate. For example, a 2015 review of top-selling supplements for men's sexual health, published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, found little or no evidence to support claims they could improve aspects of sexual performance.
| Hormone | Normal Range in Women | Effect on Libido | Factors Causing Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estrogen | 15-350 pg/mL | Maintains sexual desire, vaginal health | Menopause, hormonal therapy |
| Testosterone | 6-70 ng/dL | Enhances libido, energy | Aging, ovarian function |
| Progesterone | 0.2-25 ng/mL | Indirectly influences libido when imbalanced | Pregnancy, contraception |
| Cortisol | 6-23 µg/dL | High levels reduce desire | Stress, illness |
While the FDA has the responsibility to approve the use of any conventional pharmaceutical and to monitor how it is manufactured, the FDA has no such responsibility with regard to supplements. That means unscrupulous companies can sell any products they like, and the supplements won't be pulled from the shelves until and unless the FDA proves they're unsafe. So when it comes to supplements, buyer beware!
3. Red ginseng
Especially if your low libido is connected to any social, emotional, interpersonal or mental health concerns. “For most people, sex and sexual arousal is two-pronged — you need your body to respond in certain ways and you also need to be mentally interested,” Dr. Zanotti explains. “If your mind is focused on other concerns, it’s easy for sexual desire to wane.” Talking with a mental health professional can help you better address any psychological barriers that are holding your libido down. If you notice a dip in your interest in sex, it can feel isolating.
Stimulating the clitoris for pleasure to naturally boost libido
But Dr. Zanotti emphasizes that you don’t have to suffer in silence. “Primary care physicians and women’s health specialists talk with people all the time about issues of sexual dysfunction and sexual interest,” Dr. Zanotti reassures. “Don’t be shy about sharing changes in your libido, especially if they’re causing you distress. Some sexual function supplements may contain potentially dangerous impurities or small amounts of hidden pharmaceutical drugs — like traces of PDE5 inhibitors, medications in the same class that includes prescription erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra. This can produce dangerous, even life-threatening, reactions. Popular sexual performance supplements often contain a blend of ingredients (sometimes dozens of them).
Causes of Decreased Female Libido
Zanotti explains. It may cause drowsiness and shouldn’t be taken within two hours of drinking alcohol. Don’t expect fireworks to happen immediately, though. The medication takes about two months to start working. But you may find it’s worth the wait.
Mad honey
Vyleesi® is an on-demand prescription medication — as in, take it when the mood is right. (Or at least 45 minutes before you anticipate the mood being right.) Vyleesi is an injectable medication you use in your thigh or abdomen. Vaginal dryness can sometimes cause pain during intercourse, which can affect your sexual desire. If vaginal dryness is contributing to your low interest, you may find relief with vaginal estrogen or a vaginal DHEA suppository. That is, an insert that you place in your vagina daily.
What increases libido immediately?
It’s a hormone treatment that’s been shown to be effective in managing vaginal dryness. That may help increase genital sensitivity in postmenopausal females especially. But some people find that it can increase libido as a happy side effect. It may be prescribed off-label for low sex drive, regardless of whether you’re living with depression. While medications may address some of the physical aspects of getting you “in the mood,” emotional support can help, too. Some of the best-selling include DHEA (short for dehydroepiandrosterone, an adrenal hormone), ginkgo biloba, fenugreek, ginseng, horny goat weed, L-arginine, maca, tribulus, yohimbine, and zinc.
| Age Group | Typical Changes | Recommended Strategies |
|---|---|---|
| 20s-30s | Peak libido, hormonal stability | Maintain healthy lifestyle |
| 40s-50s | Onset of hormonal fluctuations, menopause symptoms | Hormone therapy, natural remedies |
| 60+ | Often decreased desire, vaginal dryness | Vaginal lubricants, estrogen therapy |
| 70+ | Variable, dependent on health and medication use | Regular check-ups, emotional support |
Dr.
- Healthy relationships and overcoming relationship issues can significantly impact libido.
- Herbal supplements like fenugreek may boost testosterone levels and sexual desire.
- Practicing mindfulness during intimacy can heighten pleasure and libido.
O'Leary says most of those won't help your love life.
What women are saying
Other people keep the volume a little lower. Some people really only enjoy a few select songs or artists. Or maybe they need some time to try out a few playlists until they find just the right one to get them in the dancing mood. Different people have different preferences — whether we’re talking music or life between the sheets. And whether your sex life is thumping party jams or tasteful light jazz, there’s nothing wrong with it … if that’s what you choose.
Vaginal estrogen and DHEA
But what if it’s not working for you anymore? What if what you’re looking for is a sex life that’s a little bit rock-and-roll, but you can’t seem to dial up the volume these days? A low libido can leave you feeling lonely, frustrated and unfulfilled in your relationships. Fortunately, there are ways to get your music bumping again. “It’s not at all uncommon for your sexual interest to change and get in the way of enjoying a healthy and fulfilling sex life,” says Ob/Gyn Salena Zanotti, MD.
Can Any Supplement Help Women Climax?
“But you don’t have to live with low libido. There are options to increase sex drive that can be very effective.” But it can be particularly common in women, in part because of hormonal makeup, as well as societal expectations regarding sex and sex drive. Dr. Zanotti explains why females commonly experience low sex drive, and what options are available to increase your libido. There are a number of reasons your sex drive may shift into neutral. But there may be a few exceptions. This amino acid provides the raw material from which the body makes nitric oxide, a molecule that helps relax and open blood vessels, a necessary step to achieve an erection of the penis. "But putting that into a pill isn't proven to produce an erection," Dr. O'Leary says. Moreover, people with heart disease should avoid it.
| Myth | Fact | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Libido is purely hormonal | Multiple factors influence desire | Psychological, relational, and physical factors all play roles |
| Only women with low desire need help | Many women want more desire but don't seek help | Desire varies widely; enhancement is personal |
| Supplements are a guaranteed fix | Effectiveness varies and depends on individual | Not all supplements work equally, and some have limited evidence |
A study of L-arginine's effect on heart attack survivors had to be stopped early after six people taking the supplement died.
- Acupuncture has been used to alleviate libido issues related to hormonal imbalance.
- Regular intimacy and emotional connection enhance arousal and sexual desire.
- Open communication with partners helps reduce anxiety that may hinder libido.
This comes from bark of a tree native to Africa. "It does promote penile blood flow, but you have no idea whether the supplement you're taking has too much or too little," warns Dr.
