


Avocados, almonds, strawberries, and oysters are just a few foods that may set the mood.Ī slow sex drive may be a sign of broader relationship problems outside the bedroom. Slash your cholesterol levels by loading up on fruits and veggies and cutting down on animal fats and whole-milk products.Ī growing body of research shows that certain vitamins and components can enhance sexual function and desire. When cholesterol builds up in the arteries, it makes it harder for blood to flow in the pelvic area, that can lead to less sensation in the genitals, making it harder to achieve orgasm. A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found a link between high cholesterol and women who have difficulty with arousal and orgasm. Before you hit the sheets, find an easy way to clear your mind, whether it’s taking a long bath or curling up with a good book.įollowing a heart-healthy diet could help you turn up the heat between the sheets. Being stressed causes your body to produce more of the “fight or flight” hormone cortisol, which your body needs in small doses but can suppresses the libido when the body produces an excess. If this doesn’t improve the situation, you may want to check with a gynecologist to see if vaginal estrogen therapy is appropriate.”Įveryday stressors-your job, your kids’ grades, the leaky bathroom faucet-have a more powerful effect on your sex life than you may realize. “Silicone lubricants are longer-lasting and more moisturizing than the water-based alternatives. “If vaginal dryness is causing pain during intercourse, try using a silicone-based sexual lubricant or a vaginal moisturizer,” suggests Dr. Getting in the mood can be almost impossible if sex is painful for you-but it doesn’t have to be. This way, you’ll feel compelled to keep the appointment and be less likely to make excuses. We schedule doctor’s appointments, work meetings, and drinks with friends-so why not sex? It’s not the most romantic approach, but setting aside a specific time with your significant other means you’re making a commitment to having an active sex life. It may take some time to break these habits, but making the bed sexy again will make you more relaxed and ready for romance. Millheiser, who suggests keeping the kiddos and pets out by simply locking the bedroom door at night. It’s easy to get in the habit of letting your kids crawl into bed with you after they’ve had a bad dream, or sharing cuddle time with your cat or dog. “As a result, intimacy gets pushed to the background.” If you and your partner are both working full-time, keeping the division of household labor equal and ensuring one partner doesn’t shoulder the whole burden will make both of you happier in the bedroom and out. “After the kids go to bed, there’s often cleanup followed by work that you’ve brought home,” says Dr. “It’s possible that another treatment may be used with fewer side effects.”Īfter a long day of work, you may head home for your other full-time job: being a parent. “If a medication is the most likely culprit, discuss your concern with the prescribing doctor,” says Dr. Aside from birth control pills, common offenders include drugs for high blood pressure, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), anxiety, and depression. Take a look at your medicine cabinet-your prescriptions could be behind your lower libido.
