A healthy libido is an important aspect of overall sexual health and wellness, but certain daily habits can have a negative impact. Here are 5 common habits that can lower libido, and what you can do to promote healthy sexual desire.
- Surviving on fast food
Maybe you’re a city dweller that doesn’t have any time at all to cook your own meals. Maybe, you can’t even afford to wait at a restaurant for your food to be cooked properly either.
So then, you opt for fast foods because they’re cheap and they save you time. But, if you really survive on only fast foods, meaning, if you eat fast and junk foods almost all the time, you could do your libido a disservice.
Fast foods are usually very simple foods that are incomplete in their nutritional value. Also, many of them are usually very high in saturated fats and calories.
Eating only these types of foods could rapidly lead to hormonal imbalances and excessive weight gain. Hormonal imbalances are often linked to a decrease in libido.
This is because your body is not producing the necessary sex hormones that should make you seek sexual pleasure.
Allo Health states that the consumption of fast food and unhealthy food significantly contributes to erectile dysfunction (ED) in men and hampers their sexual function. A rise in fast-food consumption can also lead to serious health conditions like high cholesterol, obesity, and high blood pressure, which are closely linked to ED. Moreover, fast food has been found to lower testosterone levels, leading to further sexual health issues. Among the primary culprits are fast food items and soft drinks, which can trigger cardiovascular diseases and adversely affect men’s sexual performance.
- Being a couch potato
Likewise, if you tend to sit all day and do nothing, this definitely will have a very negative impact on your sex drive.
Being a couch potato will make your body very lethargic over time, when this happens, a lot of your hormones will also change. This can affect energy, stamina, moods, as well as sex drive.
Your body needs to move around so it stays healthy. This doesn’t mean you have to go to the gym (if you’re not a big fan). But one thing for sure is that you must allow your body to move.
If you want to increase your sex drive, you need to pump your blood! So, try to walk every day for at least 10 minutes. Yes, 10 minutes is enough, as long as you keep to it and make a habit out of it.
After a week, you’ll feel the difference!
- A lack of hygiene
You may wonder how a lack of hygiene relates to sexual desire, but there is plenty of evidence to prove their indirect correlation! First of all, a lack of personal hygiene tends to lead to a plethora of health issues.
Bacteria build-up as well as bacteria transfer are a real mess. If you are someone who isn’t big on cleaning yourself, especially after sex, you could easily develop all kinds of infections.
Oral hygiene also has a big part in sexual desire. Bad oral hygiene makes your own mood low, but when someone else avoids you because of that, you could feel a lot worse about yourself.
When you don’t feel confident, you don’t feel sexy. Having a lot of dandruff on your head can also cause the same lack of confidence, thus affecting your mood for sex.
Try to have good hygiene and you’ll be confident about sex.
- A lack of vitamin C
Our body doesn’t produce vitamin C on its own, therefore, we need to outsource this essential vitamin from the foods that we eat. If your regular diet is lacking in vitamin C, you could suffer from a plethora of health issues.
However, the number one apparent evidence that you are lacking vitamin C is the lack of energy. A general lack of energy could also cause your libido to slow down. This has all to do with healthy bodily functions.
Vitamin C is necessary for your body to function properly, including pumping blood and producing sex hormones. A lack of vitamin C could lead to a decrease in libido because it also affects your moods.
As per findings from the Pacific Center for Naturopathic Medicine, numerous studies have demonstrated that vitamin C plays a crucial role in safeguarding testicular Leydig cells against oxidative stress, consequently preserving testosterone levels and supporting a robust libido. In vitro studies have further validated that ascorbic acid, commonly known as vitamin C, notably stimulates enzyme activity and leads to an increase in testosterone content within the testicular Leydig cells by enhancing enzyme action.
Try to eat more citrusy fruits, as well as healthy veg for balance. If you find eating the right fresh foods very difficult, get a vitamin C supplement. They really help.
- A lack of quality sleep
Health experts will always stress the importance of getting quality sleep. Yes, more than just enough sleep, it is quality sleep that matters even more.
No matter how many hours you spend sleeping, if the quality of your sleep is bad, then your body has not rested enough.
So what is quality sleep? Generally speaking, your sleep is considered quality when you feel satisfied with your sleeping experience. Most of all, it is determined by how you feel upon waking up.
You should feel fully rested, refreshed, and motivated when you wake up. As you can see, a lack of quality sleep usually leads to low energy throughout the day, bad moods, and the inability to focus on the task at hand.
All of those things can have a significant effect on your desire for sexual pleasure if they continue for a long time.
According to Newshub, a New Zealand news service, The Foundation highlights that research has indicated a correlation between sleep deprivation and decreased sexual desire and arousal in women. Similarly, insufficient sleep and disrupted sleep patterns have been associated with a higher risk of erectile dysfunction in men. Furthermore, various sleep disorders have also been linked to sexual issues in both men and women.
In conclusion, we discussed some daily habits that can ruin your mood and decrease your sex drive. Learning about these daily habits can help you improve and avoid them if you want to increase your libido.
5 Common Reasons For Low Sex Drive
Low sex drive, also known as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), is a common issue that affects many women. It refers to a lack of interest or desire for sexual activity, which can lead to distress and strain on relationships. While it is normal for sex drive to fluctuate throughout life, a persistently low sex drive can be a cause for concern. In this paper, we will discuss the 5 common reasons for low sex drive in females.
1. Hormonal Imbalances
Hormonal imbalances can significantly affect a woman’s sex drive. The hormones estrogen and testosterone play a crucial role in sexual desire and arousal. Estrogen helps to maintain the health of the vaginal tissues, while testosterone is responsible for sexual desire and arousal in both men and women. When these hormones are imbalanced, it can lead to a decrease in sexual desire. This can happen during menopause, pregnancy, or while using certain birth control methods.
2. Stress and Fatigue
Stress and fatigue are two significant factors that can contribute to a low sex drive. When a woman is stressed or tired, it can be challenging to feel aroused or have the energy for sexual activity. Stress can also decrease the production of sex hormones, leading to a decline in sexual desire. Furthermore, chronic stress can also cause physical symptoms such as headaches and muscle tension, which can make sex uncomfortable and undesirable.
3. Relationship Issues
The quality of a relationship can have a significant impact on a woman’s sex drive. If there are unresolved conflicts, lack of communication, or lack of emotional connection, it can lead to a decrease in sexual desire. Relationship issues can cause emotional distress and affect a woman’s self-esteem, making it challenging to feel sexually aroused.
4. Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions can also contribute to a low sex drive in females. Chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer can cause physical and emotional changes that can affect sexual desire. Additionally, conditions that affect the reproductive system, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can also lead to a decrease in libido.
5. Medications
Some medications can have a side effect of decreased libido in women. Antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and certain contraceptives are known to affect a woman’s sex drive. It is essential to discuss any changes in sexual desire with a doctor if taking medication and explore alternative options if necessary.
In conclusion, a low sex drive can be caused by a variety of factors, including hormonal imbalances, stress and fatigue, relationship issues, medical conditions, and medications. It is essential to address these underlying causes to improve sexual desire and preserve the overall well-being of women. Seeking professional help from a doctor or therapist can be beneficial in identifying and addressing the root cause of low libido. Open communication and understanding between partners are also crucial in navigating and resolving any issues related to low sex drive. Remember, a healthy sex life is an essential aspect of overall physical and emotional well-being, and addressing any concerns should not be overlooked.
