A males libido is their desire for sexual activity which can be affected by many factors. There are effective methods to increase libido in men.
What is libido?
Libido is the desire for sex or the desire for sexual activity overall. Every individual has a varied libido and one which can change throughout life. And with no certainty that once a high libido will always remain high, and vice versa. The normal libido for you depends on your preferences and life circumstances.
A low libido is the decrease in the frequency or the intensity of sexual desire that was once present. It is common and can affect up to 1 in 5 men and can be a long term or short term issue. The hormone testosterone plays a role in sexual desires for males. Testosterone can be influenced by many biological, psychological and social factors.
Symptoms of libido
- Decrease in sexual desire
- Having no interest or a decreased interest in any type of sex
- Having a decrease in sexual fantasies or thoughts of sex
- Feeling unhappy or distressed about having a low desire for sexual activity
What causes low libido?
- Aging or menopause.
- Hormonal issues or thyroid problems
- Medical issues such as cardiovascular disease.
- Medications such as antidepressant, contraceptives, blood pressure medication etc.
- Poor body image.
- Lifestyle issues, poor nutrition or lack of exercise.
- Drugs and alcohol misuse.
How to increase libido?
There are various factors such as stress, hormonal imbalance, lifestyle choices and medical conditions that can affect libido levels. This can affect both physical and emotional well being. There are some effective methods for men to explore to increase their libido and ultimately last longer in bed.
1. Physical activity
Regular exercise enhances our daily fitness but also has a profound impact on libido. Taking part in any type of exercises, strength training or yoga can improve blood flow, boost testosterone levels and promote overall health. At least 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days of the week to gain proper fitness and combat many health problems.
2. Maintain a balanced diet
A person’s sexual health is directly linked to nutrition. Foods rich in essential nutrients like zinc, vitamin D, omega 3 fatty acid and antioxidants should be included into the diet. The nutrients support hormonal levels and improve blood flow to relevant organs which can enhance libido.
Eating a variety of fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, and beans with less fat, sugar, and carbs is important for health. Limiting alcohol intake and avoiding consumption of processed foods and sugars can impact sexual function.
3. Managing stress
Experiencing chronic stress has a major libido impact. High stress levels release cortisol, which can lower testosterone and affect sexual desire in individuals. This can cause sexual dysfunction of many sorts and can result in mental health issues if stress is prolonged.
Practicing stress reducing techniques such as meditation, yoga or deep breathing exercises to alleviate tension and promote relaxation. Ensuring a good sleep cycle is also crucial for regulating stress hormones and maintaining optimal sexual health. However if the problem prolongs due to anxiety/stress/depression, it’s important to seek the right help.
4. Communication
Establishing a healthy and effective communication path is essential for addressing any underlying issues that may affect libido. Many relationship problems due to sexual health can be solved by discussing concerns, desires and fantasies with one another. The couple can also look into sexual therapy or other hormonal therapies to help increase intimacy. Having a supportive environment can alleviate performance anxiety and enhance sexual satisfaction.
Libido and Erectile dysfunction medication
There are medications primarily prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction, however some men report they experience a boost in libido as a secondary effect. These are called phosphodiesterase inhibitors and work by increasing blood flow to the penis allowing for longer erections to occur. However it helps in providing additional confidence from improved erectile function thus it may lead to increased sexual desire in some.
These medicines are not to be used without a healthcare professional’s guidance as they can be unsuitable (e.g. high blood pressure patients) and may interact with certain medications or health conditions. Additionally it is important to note that medication without addressing the underlying psychological, medical or lifestyle factors may not provide accurate results.
Consulting a doctor
A male’s libido enhancement needs a wholesome approach consisting of physical, emotional and relational parts of sexual health. However it is important to understand that each individual is unique and the right strategy may require some experimentation and patience.
Males worried about their libido or sexual health should seek professional guidance to be able to achieve optimal sexual wellbeing.
