It is often considered that men are always high on sex drive. On the contrary, certain statistics say that about 52% of men aged between 40 to 70 years, suffer from varying degrees of sexual disorders, and a decreased male libido or sexual drive happens to be one of the most common sex problems of all.
Libido in males is often related to testosterone levels, which will naturally decline with age. However, it might also occur due to some unhealthy lifestyle habits or out of some other underlying medical condition. The loss of libido or sex drive, can be found in at least 1 out of 5 men. Read What are the Reasons for Low Testosterone in Men?
So, what is the solution? How to increase male libido? Here we present to you some very simple tips on how to increase male sexual drive.
Top 5 Tips on How to Increase Male Libido / Sexual Drive
It is a matter of fact that most of the medical issues that the human body suffers can be controlled in case the daily lifestyle routine is well maintained, with the help of some healthy habits. Let us get into the easiest way in which we can have a healthy daily lifestyle that can also control any loss of male libido.
#1 Eating the Right Foods to Increase Male Libido/Sexual Drive and Performance
Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease are two major medical issues that affect the physical and sexual functioning of men and often bring down their libido. Eating the right foods is quite helpful in promoting good circulation and heart health, which eventually promotes people’s sexual drive. Eating a nutritious diet which includes more vegetables and lean proteins, and lesser sugar, can help to prevent disorders that affect libido.
Foods like watermelons, figs, bananas, and avocados, are considered libido-boosting foods or aphrodisiacs. They are known to be rich in important vitamins and minerals that can increase blood flow to the genitals and promote a healthy sex life.
- Loaded with heart-healthy fats, vitamin B6, and folic acid, avocados are energy boosters. Vitamin B6 is known to help hormone production in men, which is key for a strong sex drive.
- Black raspberries are rich in phytochemicals that may enhance both libido and sexual endurance.
- Pine nuts are loaded with arginine that is converted by the body into nitric oxide, which helps dilate the blood vessels. Further, eating pistachios and some other nuts may also cause men to experience firmer erections and increased blood flow to the penis.
- Chocolate is known to release chemicals like serotonin, which can produce some aphrodisiac and mood-lifting effects. Serotonin may also be involved in the regulation of blood flow to the genital tissues, which could be responsible for some of its libido-boosting properties.
- Watermelon contains citrulline, which is converted into arginine in the body which relaxes blood vessels just as Viagra.
- Olive oil boosts circulation to all areas of the body and hence improves one’s sexual performance.
- Broccoli is high in indole-3-carbinol, which helps to reduce estrogen levels, and hence, it can be a great libido booster in men.
- Garlic contains high levels of allicin, which acts as a vasodilator to increase blood flow. However, further research is required to establish the efficiency.
- Fenugreek is rumored to help with sex drive, which helps maintain a normal testosterone level in healthy men.
- A 2013 study from Malaysia found that consuming oysters increased sexual behavior in mice when compared to controls. The researchers proposed that the high levels of zinc in oysters could contribute to their potential sexual benefits. Zinc is an essential mineral required for sex hormones, like testosterone, to function properly.
Herbal supplements based on yohimbine, and maca can also be effective. While Yohimbine is an alkaloid found in the bark of the West African evergreen forest and has been known to work similarly to Viagra; Maca, on the other hand, is a root of a plant native to Peru. It is related to ginseng and has long been believed to increase sexual desire. One may get maca root supplements from any health food store. Ashwagandha supplements and those of vitamin B12, and vitamin D are also helpful in improving men’s sexual life. But it is better to consult a doctor first, before taking any of these supplements.
Alongside this, it is also very important to avoid some specific foods like fast food or junk ones, which can decrease male libido or sex drive. Read Worst Foods for Erectile Dysfunction: Foods to Avoid for better sex life for better understanding.
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#2 Physical Fitness to Increase Male Libido/ Sex Drive
Regular exercise can help libido in many ways. A 2015 study of men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy, which lowers testosterone levels, found that regular exercise helped men cope with body image concerns, low libido, and relationship changes.
Some scientists link overweight and obesity with low sex drive and other factors related to reduced fertility. This may be due to hormonal factors, such as low testosterone concentrations. Maintaining a moderate body weight can improve a person’s sex drive, both physically and psychologically. Eating a healthy, balanced diet coupled with doing regular exercise can help achieve this, as well as boost a person’s overall energy levels.
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#3 Maintaining the Right Mental Health to Increase Male Libido or Sexual Drive
No matter how physically fit or healthy a man is, being stressed out can affect his libido to a great extent. Be it the daily hectic schedule or professional pressure or some personal life scenarios, certain things will always be there to put one under mental stress.
Some research also suggest that women may be particularly susceptible to the effects stress can have on one’s sex life. Interestingly, men, on the other hand, may actually use sex to relieve stress. At times, such differences in the approach towards sex can cause conflict, which eventually leads to stress between partners.
Meditation tends to help a lot in relieving mental stress. One may try doing things like tai chi or yoga, or some hobbies like gardening, pottery, etc. Apart from these activities, it is also very crucial to get ample sleep for your body to get the much-required rest that eventually makes one feel fresh. Read How not getting enough sleep can affect your sex life?
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#4 No Smoking/ Quit Alchohol/ Stop Substance Abuse to Increase Male Libido/ Sex Drive
Things like alcohol, tobacco or cannabis, are often taken just before having sex, sometimes to relax and sometimes for just setting up the mood. However, it is important to use these in moderation. This is because too much of alcohol or cannabis can negatively impact erectile functioning or even pull down one’s energy level and make him too tired for sexual activities.
Smoking tobacco may have an adverse impact on a person’s cardiovascular system, while good heart health is important for good sexual functioning. Hence, those who often smoke tobacco, may find that their energy levels and sex drive decrease with time.
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- How Smoking and Erectile Dysfunction are Related?
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#5 Working on Relationship with Partner
The one thing that needs to be worked upon, more than anything else, is the relationship between the partners. Good communication is the most important tool to deal with a low sex drive.
Many people experience a lack of sexual desire at a certain point in a relationship. This might be because of being with someone for a long period of time or if a person perceives issues in their intimate relationships.
Sharing experiences and expressing empathy for the partner’s perspective can provide more insights into each other’s needs and help bridge the gap between mismatched sex drives. Sex therapists or counselors can be much helpful for individuals or couples in this regard. Focusing on improving the relationship can increase each partner’s sex drive.
Even if someone plans to treat his issue with male libido with some natural or herbal remedies or supplements, it is always best to consult an authorized medical practitioner who can help him to identify any underlying medical condition that may be affecting his sexual health. Even a pharmacist or clinician may refer to a mental health professional, who is experienced in sex therapy or relationship counseling.
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