After a hard day’s work, you still need to cook dinner, wash dishes, help your kids with homework, give them a bath and read them their bedtime stories before any type of relaxation even crosses your mind. Sure, some fun in the bedroom would be nice, but by that point, you’re exhausted and that TV just looks way too appealing.
You’re not alone
Low libido is one of the most frequent sexual disorders among women. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that 43% of women have issues with sexual desire.[1]
What’s going on?
Everything from fatigue and stress, to hormonal imbalance and psychological factors, can decrease your libido. Anxiety and depression are a big part of the problem and, ironically, so are many of the medications used to treat them. Anti-depressants, sleep aids and birth control are all medications that can affect your sex drive.
What can you do?
Ask your doctor to analyze your hormone level. A registered naturopath may suggest a salivary hormone test to assess your cortisol level (the stress hormone), your DHEA (anti-stress/anti-aging hormone), estrogens, progesterone and testosterone.
A decrease in sex drive is seen in about 25–40% of women in menopause, whose testosterone levels have been linked to their libidos.[2] Numerous studies have concluded that testosterone can increase their sex drive.
Several plants and vitamins can be useful for balancing your hormones. Women who tend to have a low libido also have low progesterone, testosterone and DHEA levels, as well as imbalanced estrogen and cortisol levels.
Have your thyroidal function tested as well. Slow functioning can affect your energy and your temper, and decrease your sexual desire.
Do you have a zinc deficiency?
Zinc is a mineral responsible for more than 300 biochemical reactions and is an essential part of sexual function by easing the production of hormones like estrogen and testosterone. Sadness (not limited to postpartum depression), hair loss, slow digestion, a defective immune system, insomnia and low libido are all symptoms of zinc deficiency, which is very simple to test for.
Replenishing your zinc levels can be done through many foods. Oysters, for example, are perfect for their high level of zinc (½ cup = 20.6 mg), in addition to being known as an aphrodisiac. You can also eat two tablespoons of pumpkin seeds on a daily basis to obtain 2 mg of Zinc.
If you’re on medication, talk to your doctor. Some medications like antidepressants, contraceptive pills and medications for high blood pressure have side effects that can decrease your desire. However, never stop taking your medication without first consulting your doctor.
