How to Increase Female Libido

According to recent surveys, around 40% women today experience low libido problems leading to sexual dysfunctions. These sexual dysfunctions include inability to achieve orgasms or inadequate lubrication during intercourse.

If a woman is consistently experiencing low libido problems for the past six months, it is already called Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder or HSDD. Women who have the disorder may find sex boring, do not or rarely masturbate and do not have sexual fantasies of their own.

Factors affecting low female libido

Factors affecting low libido among women may be divided into the psychological and physical causes. Psychological factors include stress fatigue, depression, low self esteem, past sexual abuse and serious problems with the current relationship. Meanwhile, physical factors include but are not limited to hormone abnormalities, taking certain medications, weight problems, malnutrition, breastfeeding, menopause onset, menstrual cycle, alcoholism, drug use and pain during intercourse.

Since more and more women are now in need of libido enhancers, several medications and supplements are already available in the market today. Women may be quite confused with all the varieties to choose from.

Topical products

Topical medications can just be directly applied to the vagina like lotions, gels and creams are now available to increase female libido. Most of these topical medications contain estrogen. Estrogen’s function as a female hormone is to increase one’s sex drive and to maintain vaginal lubrication. Vaginal moisturizers are also available and are formulated to promote blood flow to the female reproductive organs. Through this, lubrication is improved and sensitivity is heightened.

Testosterone Therapy

The male hormone testosterone has been known to play a role in female sexual function and it influences female sexual arousal, lubrication and orgasm. Testosterone is incorporated in pills suppositories, patches, lozenges and creams.

Female versions of Viagra

Following the success of Viagra among men, pharmaceutical companies have also manufactured pills for women that contain the same compounds as Viagra. They also work the same way in women, these Viagra like medications increase blood flow to the female genital organs. By doing so, vaginal muscles are well-toned and the vagina itself is fully lubricated.

Gingko Biloba

Herbal remedies are also available to increase female libido. One of this is gingko. A test using Gingko bilibo extract with 63 patients was found to be effective in 84% of patients with sexual dysfunctions related to intake of antidepressants. Aside from improving sexual orgasm and excitement, gingko is also known to enhance memory.

Ginseng

For thousands of years in China, ginseng has been used to improve sexual dysfunction in both men and women. Gingenosides, the active ingredient in ginseng are known to facilitate the release of nitric oxide in blood vessels which in turns increases blood flow to the clitoris resulting to better orgasms. Ginseng is also known to contain phytoestrogen that is believed to help women adapt to stress.

Dong Quai

Dong quai is an aromatic herb from China, Korea and Japan and are used to regulate menstrual cycle and treat problems related to menopause. It is generally used as a blood tonic and contains Vitamin E, A and B12. Six coumarin derivatives have been extracted from the herb and these derivatives exert antispasmodic and vasodilatory effects. It is not used specifically to increase female libido but its vasodilatory effects can have an effect on the sexual organs.