Sexual health is an important facet of a women’s overall health – contributing to fertility, relationship quality, and personal pleasure… but for some women, low libido can become an issue of concern.
When a healthy libido is compromised, it can manifest in low sexual desire, low arousal, unsatisfactory lubrication and inability to reach orgasm. The causes vary, but can result from hormonal issues, emotion or psychological stress, as a side effect of certain medications or a variety of other physiological reasons including:
- Peri- and postmenopausal vaginal symptoms
- fatigue and bodily pain
- life stressors
- body image concerns
- sleep disruptions
But low libido, or Female Sexual Desire (FSD) is not uncommon! One sample study found that “prevalence of low sexual desire ranged from 26.7% among premenopausal women to 52.4% among naturally menopausal women”1 and considering the many women who do not explore treatment options or disclose libido issues to their health care practitioner – these statistics may not be truly representative of how many women are affected by low FSD.
Fortunately, there are ways to help bolster a reduced sex drive at any phase of life, and herbs can play a valuable role in treating some underlying issues and addressing specific aspects of a healthy sex life!
Ashwagandha
While stress is mentioned above as a factor that influences desire – it is more impactful than you may think! In fact, everyday stress is one of the main underlying factors of low desire in females, disrupting the emotional connection of intimacy and impacting the nervous system and cortisol levels.
Ashwagandha is one of the most well-known “Adaptogens” – plants that help improve the body’s resiliency against the impacts of stress, with many studies that support its efficacy. A study found that a high concentration ashwagandha root extract may improve sexual function in healthy women, with participants exhibiting:
- An overall increase in female sexual desire
- Mean arousal and lubrication compared to placebo
- Significantly higher improvement in satisfaction and orgasm
- Significant improvement in sexual encounters after 8 weeks.2
Our Ashwagandha Capsules contain a 300 mg of high potency 12:1 powder extract equivalent to 3600 mg prepared from a proprietary Organic ashwagandha root – KSM-66® – a clean, sustainably sourced ashwagandha backed by clinical studies supporting its positive effects on stress and anxiety – as well as stamina, performance and sexual health
Read more: Ashwagandha – The Ancient Herb for Resiliency, Vitality and Longevity
Maca
Maca, a powerful “superfood” plant medicine, is actually a root vegetable native to the high Andes of Peru. Cultivated for over 2,000 years as a staple food among the indigenous people of the region maca was used traditionally to enhance fertility, stamina, and overall vitality and is also known as “Peruvian ginseng”.
Maca has shown an ability to enhance performance and optimize sexual health, benefiting female libido through its ability to help support emotional aspects of sexual health.
As the transition through perimenopause into menopause has often been associated with low libido, maca has also been found to be particularly beneficial throughout this phase, helping to support healthy mood balance during menopause.
Cala-Gel
Herbs can also benefit female sexual health when it comes to comfortable intercourse and adequate lubrication with topical intimate support.
Our Cala-Gel topical gel helps to relieve vaginal dryness and discomfort by working to replenish natural feeling moisture to vaginal tissue.
Featuring healing, pain relieving herbs calendula and comfrey, Cala-Gel is a water-based, unique herbal restorative cream that gently and naturally restores comfort to woman. Plus – it is paraben free and made with Certified Organic or wildcrafted ingredients.
Remember: there is no “normal” when it comes to female sex drive and libido. We all have our own perspective as to what a healthy sex life looks like! Desire changes throughout the phases and chapters of life, alongside the hormonal shifts of puberty, pregnancy, nursing, etc., and will also fluctuate throughout the phases of a monthly cycle.
If you feel like your libido could use some extra support, or is causing ongoing issues, a Naturopathic Doctor can help to assess and treat your individual concerns.
You can find an ND in your area here.
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Maca
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Cala-Gel
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Ashwagandha Capsules
$29.99 Add to cart
