How To Increase The Male Libido Naturally
There are many reasons the male libido can decrease. The main cause is time as testosterone is believed to reduce 1% per year and drops further when entering middle age. However, a reduced libido can be due to a far reaching range of both physiological and psychological issues. Stress, depression, anxiety, poor diet, excess alcohol, tobacco and lack of exercise are just some of these factors in a decreased sex drive. Neglecting your physical and emotional health can be detrimental to your libido, but so too can trying to increase your sex drive in the wrong way. This is why oneHOWTO shows you how to increase the male libido naturally to keep you virile in a safe and effective way.
Steps to follow:
You libido is your sex drive. It is very normal for your sex drive to vary at different stages of your life. The physical changes in our body will have a bearing, particularly as we enter puberty. Later in life many people experience a much reduced libido, but our overall health has a large part to play. Just as you may not feel as frisky if you are burdened with the cold, being depressed or stressed can make you lose sexual proclivity.
In males, the decreased sex drive often presents itself in the form of erectile dysfunction. This means you either cannot maintain an erection or achieve one in the first place. Many people turn to sexual aids or stimulants such as viagra. However, some of the side effects and the potential risks may not be worth it.
Not enjoying sex isn't simply about erectile dysfunction. Getting your sex drive back on track needs a more holistic approach. This is why you need to find out why libido in men might be decreasing. Being aware of the source of the problem will make it much easier to solve. This is perhaps especially the case if it is related to mental or emotional wellbeing, as in the case of stress or depression.
Like the rest of our bodily functions, sex drive can change according to our nutrition. If we aren't eating right, then we're not going to have the stamina to go on the long runs we used to be better at. The same goes for your sex drive. If you are not feeling strong and healthy, your libido will decline. This is why you need to eat libido boosting foods which will help keep your body healthy, especially when it comes to blood flow. Male sex drive isn't all about erectile dysfunction, but if you don't have a healthy blood flow to the penis, even a happy mind won't get the results you might be looking for.
Libido boosting foods are not, however, aphrodisiacs. These are foods which are supposed to ignite sex drive and include such classics as oysters and chocolate. The reason for chocolate being an aphrodisiac is thought to be chemical as it contains tryptophan. This is one of the key amino acids used in the production of seratonin. Seratonin and dopamine are neurotransmitters which are useful in encouraging our sex drive. However, according to the New York Times, "research suggests that chocolate's aphrodisiac properties, if any, are limited"[1].
Instead, the way to improve male libido with food is more fundamental. Following a balanced and healthy diet will significantly increase your overall health, making you more inclined to desire sex. Foods with omega 3 fatty acids are known to improve blood vessel function[2], meaning improved blood flow to your penis. Fish, chia seeds and walnuts are all high in omega 3 fatty acids, so incorporating them into your diet should help libido. Oysters are also high in these fatty acids, probably the origin behind their use as an aphrodisiac.
You also want to eat vitamins, minerals and amino acids which will improve your sex drive (Vitamin B3 in particular). Foods rich in these libido boosting essentials include: nuts, legumes, meat, tomatoes, eggs, milk and brewer's yeast.
Magnesium and zinc are thought thought to be important in increasing male libido. This is to do with the effect they have on testosterone. Testosterone isn't the only hormone related to male sex drive, but it is the primary one. Seeds and red fruits are often high in these minerals, meaning they are good for boosting libido. Foods particularly high in magnesium include the herbs coriander and peppermint. This means that seasoning your food with these herbs doesn't just make it tasty, but opens up your blood vessels for improved blood flow. Tea infusions can also be beneficial with the right mix of leaves and herbs, such as puama bark or maca root.
Selenium is another mineral needed for the production of sex hormones. Our bodies require only a very small amount of selenium a day, so avoid consuming selenium-rich foods in excess. Selenium is found mainly in garlic, almonds, cashews and rice. Again, not bad if you like flavor.
Amino acids which help to boost testosterone and increase the male libido naturally include arginine and ornithine. Some good sources include dairy products, nuts, rice, wheat, soy, fish and meat.
If you find it too difficult to work these libido-increasing foods into your diet, there are some possibly effective nutritional supplements which can enhance male virility and increase sex drive. One option is Wellman 50+, a supplement which provides a variety of essential vitamins and minerals to promote virility. These only need to be taken once a day with your main meal. Another option is Chyawanprash, an Ayurvedic natural remedy.
Some medicinal plants and herbs are promoted as being beneficial for increasing the male libido. Ginkgo biloba and ginger improve blood circulation and can potentially help you sustain better erections. Red ginseng is thought to help build sexual stamina. Yerba mate is also useful for increasing the male sex drive. Yerba mate is the plant from which mate is made, a strong hot tea popular in Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries.
Don't forget about physical exercise - a powerful natural way of increasing your testosterone levels. Cardiovascular sports like swimming are invaluable in this sense. Aim to dedicate at least three days a week to rigorous exercise and remember to be consistent. Regular exercise will not just increase libido naturally, but will have a myriad of other benefits to your physical and mental wellbeing.
Likewise, Kegel exercises have been shown to strengthen pelvic floor muscles which can intensify orgasms and improve sexual confidence by reducing premature ejaculation. See our article on Kegel exercises for men and introduce them into your daily routine, little by little.
Another natural way to boost the male libido is one of the easiest to find, but one of the hardest to get right: talking. It is a stereotype with an unfortunate grounding in reality, but many men find it difficult to discuss sexual dysfunction or loss of libido. There is a societal pressure for men to be virile in a way which often makes it more difficult to be so. If this pressure gets too much for some, they may start to lose sex drive or underperform.
If you are with a partner and have been having problems in this area, it is important to talk openly about it. If you are in a healthy relationship, then you should be able to talk to your partner about libido and other sexual matters without judgment. Unfortunately, not all relationships are ideal, so talking to a professional mental health specialist might help you to get your libido back.
Many couples get to the point where their work and family schedule puts their sexual habits on the back burner. Work and stress have a very real impact on libido, so finding ways to create a more harmonious balance in your life can naturally improve your sex drive. If you find that your schedule has created a sense of boredom or malaise, perhaps spicing things up by indulging in some sexual fantasies can help boost libido.
If you want more ideas on how to increase your libido or simply reinvigorate your sex life then we have plenty to investigate.
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1 http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/18/health/18real.html
2 https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/omega-3-fats/