Whether the root cause is stress, hormonal issues, or a variety of other factors, supplements are often sought to give some immediate boost. Specifically, Panax ginseng, tribulus terrestris, zinc, horny goat weed, B-complex vitamins, fenugreek, L-arginine, maca, dehydroepiandrosterone (aka DHEA), ginkgo biloba, and yohimbine have all been advertised as “libido-enhancing” supplements. But such supplements rarely undergo rigorous scientific examination.
| Country | Prescription Only (Yes/No) | Over-the-Counter Sales Allowed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | Yes | Limited (Certain Supplements) | Prescription required for PDE5 inhibitors |
| UK | Yes | No | Prescription needed |
| Australia | Yes | No | Strict regulation |
| Canada | Yes | No | Prescription only |
Though some of the supplements listed below have evidence to support their effects, even the very best options have only been tested in a handful of studies. While many supplements are marketed as “libido-enhancers”, few have enough research behind them to support such claims.
People often assume that in order to increase libido you must increase testosterone. While testosterone level does play a role in libido, it is not the only factor.
Researchers found that the treatment group displayed significantly higher improvements, compared to placebo, in sexual function scores, specifically in areas of arousal, lubrication and orgasm. For similar reasons it works for men, gingko biloba works as a way for how to increase libido in women as well. The most significant result so far has been a potential for treating sexual dysfunction induced by psychotropic drugs used to treat depression — specifically SSRIs. The first open clinical trial, ginkgo biloba significantly improved sexual function (especially in women) for those unable to perform due to SSRI side effects. The oil from vitex (also referred to frequently as “chasteberry”) is another great option for reducing menopausal libido problems in women.
Some of its other benefits include alleviation of PMS symptoms, increased fertility, clearing acne and promotion of lactation in breastfeeding moms. Wondering how to increase libido with essential oils? There are various essential oils for libido that may help increase sexual and mood arousal and act as natural aphrodisiacs. Using jasmine oil as part of a libido-boosting aromatherapy blend may help increase behavioral arousal, alertness and positive mood. If you’re a woman struggling with low libido due to menopause and issues with mood, clary sage oil might be a good option. Take for instance the herb maca (Lepidium meyenii), which can affect your libido yet have no effect on testosterone levels. Vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, vitamin D, and zinc can help support healthy testosterone levels, but do not necessarily boost them if intake is already sufficient. If you are looking for a primer on increasing your testosterone levels, check out our infographic on what testosterone is, and how you can increase it naturally.
| Product | Dosage | Quantity + Bonus | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cialis Generic | 40mg | 30 + 4 Pills | 74.97€ 71.40€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 20mg | 10 Pills | 31.49€ 29.99€ | |
| Viagra Soft Tabs | 100mg | 30 + 4 Pills | 83.06€ 79.10€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 60mg | 10 Pills | 47.42€ 45.16€ | |
| Priligy Generic Dapoxetine | 60mg | 60 + 8 Pills | 183.06€ 174.34€ | |
| Tadalista Super Active | 20mg | 10 Pills | 55.64€ 52.99€ | |
| Kamagra Gold | 50 mg | 180 + 6 Pills | 371.27€ 353.59€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 100mg | 20 Pills | 45.58€ 43.41€ | |
| Cialis Black | 80mg | 180 + 10 Pills | 356.64€ 339.66€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 10mg | 30 + 4 Pills | 62.39€ 59.42€ | |
| Kamagra | 100mg | 120 + 6 Pills | 330.74€ 314.99€ | |
| Kamagra Oral Jelly | 100mg | 30 + 5 Sachets | 136.20€ 129.71€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 150mg | 20 Pills | 55.02€ 52.40€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 20mg | 10 Pills | 31.49€ 29.99€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 10mg | 20 Pills | 48.23€ 45.93€ |
Ensuring sufficient intake of magnesium, vitamin D, and zinc will help support testosterone production. And while optimal testosterone levels can help improve libido, that is far from the only factor at play. Maca and cocoa extract are two of the more well-researched libido-enhancing supplements.
If you smoke, here is yet another reason to stop smoking. Smoking not only decreases sexual desire and satisfaction, but it also decreases fertility. According to one group of researchers, smokers reported having sex less than six times a month while nonsmoking men were having sex nearly twice as often. There can be a physical or psychological cause of low libido, or it could be both. Fifteen percent of men and up to 32 percent of women report lacking sexual interest for a period of several months throughout the previous year, which means this is clearly an important issue for a large number of people.
The two clinically diagnosable conditions for low libido are hypoactive sexual desire disorder and sexual aversion disorder. The latter of these is a more drastic problem and is characterized as an “extreme aversion to and avoidance of” all sexual behavior. Many people do turn to conventional treatment when it comes to how to increase libido, so let’s see what some of the common low libido treatments are in the conventional medicine world. For men, testosterone replacement therapy is a common conventional treatment, although it’s controversial. Some common options typically include sildenafil (VIAGRA®) and tadalafil (CIALIS®). Both require at least a week of supplementation to provide benefits.
| Pill Name | Estimated Effectiveness (%) | Duration of Effects | User Satisfaction Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viagra | 80% | 4-6 hours | 75% |
| Cialis | 85% | Up to 36 hours | 80% |
| Herbal Supplements | 30-50% | Varies | 50-60% |
| OTC Pills | 40-70% | Few hours to days | 60-70% |
Maca, specifically, may not reach full potency until two months of consistent supplementation.
[1][4] Research into Maca has also shown promise for postmenopausal women,[5] an oft-overlooked population when it comes to libido enhancement.
Many men might think that a prescription drug to induce erection is the simple answer, but be aware that these drugs do not boost your libido — they only help you to get and keep erections. A forced erection will not get to the root of your low or nonexistent sex drive, and these drugs are not without concerning side effects, like memory problems, back pain, loss of hearing and many more. If a woman has a low libido and has already gone through menopause, vaginal estrogen creams are commonly recommended to treat vaginal dryness. Testosterone therapy in the form of pills or patches is also conventionally recommended for women. If a medical condition like a fibroid is causing sexual issues, it might likely be recommended that you surgically remove the fibroid(s).
If your birth control pill is lowering your desire for sex, your doctor might prescribe a non-hormonal option. Other conventional treatments for low libido in both men and women include a change in medication or the prescribing of antidepressants if depression is believed to be the cause. However, many antidepressants can lady era tablets lower sex drive. For both men and women, relationship counseling or sex therapy is sometimes recommended and helpful. If you experience a low libido and natural remedies don’t seem to help, it’s important to see your doctor sooner than later to make sure you don’t have a more serious underlying physical or psychological issue. The effects of cocoa extracts on libido are more indirect.
Low nitric oxide (NO) levels can lead to poor circulation, which can contribute to erectile dysfunction.
It may help improve the signs of depression and regulate cortisol levels, supporting more healthy libido. Neroli essential oil (used aromatically) has been shown to help relieve menopausal symptoms, increase sexual desire and lower blood pressure in postmenopausal women. Fennel oil has positive estrogen-like effects that make it another female libido booster, sex pills for women both scientifically and historically. These effects, however, do not seem to negatively impact fertility or reproduction like some endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Let’s talk about how to increase libido naturally with some easy lifestyle changes.
Too little exercise can be a cause of low libido, but you also don’t want to overdo it either. Low libido is one of the risks of overtraining or “female athlete triad.” Studies among women indicate that exercises that increase human growth hormone, like weight training and HIIT training, can greatly improve blood flow to the genitals, mood and body perception. Regular exercise also enhances sexual satisfaction indirectly. A study of men and women shows that small bouts of exercise can drastically improve sexual functioning. Also, try yoga, which can help combat fatigue and stress and reduce depression and anxiety. Flavonoids in cocoa can help bolster vardenafil hcl 10mg NO levels, improving blood flow and possibly alleviating erectile dysfunction. Similar supplements include Tribulus terrestris and Eurycoma Longifolia Jack, though there have been very few human studies done on each of these herbs.
Currently, the animal evidence does support the preliminary results found in human trials, suggesting these herbs might be useful supplements to improve libido.
It’s also important to know the side effects of any and all medications you currently take to make sure they’re not causing your low libido. If you see a health care professional and seek advice on how to increase libido, hopefully he or she will suggest some healthy lifestyle choices. Low libido is a problem affecting a large portion of the population, although the embarrassing nature of it can make it a difficult topic to broach with your health care professional. However, your diet affects your sex drive. There are foods that directly impact libido, either positively or negatively, and supplements/essential oils that can benefit those struggling to work up the desire for sexual intimacy.
Every year before Valentine's Day, we get a surge of people asking us what supplements they can take to crank up their libido and boost their testosterone. In other words, they’re looking for evidence-based aphrodisiacs. Named after the Greek goddess of love and pleasure, Aphroditē, aphrodisiacs are supplements marketed to improve your sex life. Even more than with other supplement categories, it takes research to figure out which might work, and which are a waste of money. Libido essentially means “sex drive”, and when sex drive goes down, most people don’t know exactly why. Supplements that are able to improve libido immediately after oral supplementation are rare and often come with unwanted side effects. Yohimbine has been shown to help those with orgasmic or erectile dysfunction,[7][8] but because it’s also a stimulant, yohimbine should not be supplemented by people using medication for heart and brain conditions. Alcohol can also be an effective spur-of-the-moment libido-enhancer for some people (in moderate doses). The obvious reason is because alcohol can reduce inhibition. But it may also provide a small, short-lived boost to testosterone. However, this effect doesn’t work for everyone.
| Pill Type | Common Side Effects | Serious Risks | Who Should Avoid Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prescription PDE5 inhibitors | Headaches, flushing | Priapism, vision changes | Heart conditions, severe hypotension |
| Natural Supplements | Gastrointestinal upset | Allergic reactions | Allergies to herbal ingredients |
| OTC Libido Pills | Dizziness, nausea | Interactions with other medications | Pregnant women, minors |
Some people experience a small reduction in testosterone after imbibing alcohol, or no effect at all. This unpredictability, combined with alcohol’s health risks, make it unsuitable as a long-term testosterone booster and libido-enhancer. While supplements like Maca and cocoa extract are more likely to help with libido and sexual function, others like Tribulus terrestris and Eurycoma Longifolia Jack need more research.