Studies show that the food we eat affects the chemical composition of our brain and alters our mood. Our diet affects our cognitive capabilities, including alertness and the release of neurotransmitters. We can change our mood by changing our diets.
Decreased libido affects both men and women. It’s normal for our sexual desire to fluctuate over the years. Highs and lows are common in certain circumstances, such as at the beginning or end of a relationship, during or after pregnancy, during menopause, while ill, by certain medications, and when undergoing major life changes.
Unfortunately, there are times when the lack of interest in sex is persistent, but the subject is avoided. If you are concerned about your libido, don’t be afraid to discuss it with your doctor.
Many factors can affect your desire for intimacy, including physical constraints, emotional well being, lifestyle choices, and your relationship with your partner.
Just focusing on the symptoms of decreased libido will not help treat the underlying problem effectively. It is important to delve a little deeper and pinpoint the causes.
Here are some tips on how to treat low libido issues:
There are many medications on the market that promise to increase libido. Popular medicines for men include Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra, and there is a new pill on the market for women, called Addyi. Whether these medicines for men actually increase libido, or whether they only improve erectile function is strongly debated. Addyi is plagued with many side effects and a questionable rate of actually increasing “satisfying sexual experiences” in multiple drug trials.
Be careful before you take any of these drugs to enhance your libido. Discuss it with your doctor first.
Remember that fluctuations in sexual desire are normal, so don’t stress unnecessarily about it. A healthy lifestyle and open communication can often work wonders, and benefit other parts of your relationship as well.
Each person is different and requires different solutions to libido problems. As a family physician practicing in San Francisco since 2005, I concentrate on addressing the root cause of illnesses by combining the latest research in evidence-based medicine with integrative holistic care. By focusing on the whole person in the context of his or her nutrition, sleep, and mental and other lifestyle stressors, the underlying cause of problems can be more easily determined.
Contact our office today if you would like to learn more about how to improve your sex life and define a treatment plan customized just for you.
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