Are Sex Hormones Affecting Your Libido?

Estrogenic Hormone Cream – CC Image (edited) from Nesster on Flickr

Not feeling up to par, or noticed your sex drive taking a nose dive? It could be your sex hormones letting you down.

If you are a woman that’s heard many times ‘stop being hormonal’ or ‘it’s her hormones’ you may be getting irritated.

Put that irritation to one side for now though, because sex hormones do regulate our sexual appetite and much more. You may have noticed this at a certain time of the month. Do you feel like throwing your partner in front of on-coming traffic when he glances at another woman – even if she does look like Yoda’s auntie? It’s probably your sex hormones!

As well as irrational and over the top traffic fantasies, a lack of sexual desire is a big sign that you might have a problem with sex hormones. But what are they, and how do they work?

What Are Sex Hormones?

They are hormones that cause us to develop into reproductive adults. The production of sex hormones begins in our teenage years, and regulates our sexual appetite from then on. The main players are testosterone and estrogen.

1. Testosterone
Women have testosterone too! The ovaries produce a small amount of this sex hormone, which is important for sexual libido and desire. Some experts think that it’s levels of testosterone regulating sexual desire in women, rather than estrogen. Studies haven’t confirmed anything yet, but men do have a lot more testosterone, and it might be fair to say that they think about sex constantly (sorry guys, it might be sexist, but it’s true).

2. Estrogens
Some women feel sexier during the middle of their cycle. That may be due to their ovaries releasing a spurt of estrogen with an egg. Estrogen is a sex hormone that’s mostly produced in the ovaries. It promotes the growth of women’s characteristics – breasts, hips, and an uncontrollable desire to read celebrity magazines. Estrogen is important in the reproductive cycle, and it’s the mechanism that encourages blood flow to the clitoris and vagina, so it’s pretty important to the sex drive. A lack of estrogen may equal a corresponding lack of libido.

Vaginal dryness can be due to decreased levels of estrogen too, as it triggers the vaginal walls to secrete a lubricant that helps penetration. Lack of this sex hormone leads to a dry vagina, and causes painful sex. Bye-bye bedroom action, hello seven cats.

Can You Improve Sex Hormones?

It’s possible, but you’ll need a trip to your doctor if you are experiencing menopause, or need medical treatment. Hormone Replacement Therapy is a popular treatment for women struggling with sex hormone levels.

There are some natural products on the market that may increase sexual desire and support estrogen levels. One of the premium brand supplements is Provestra. It’s a daily supplement that claims to boost a woman’s libido. Provestra is a bit like a multi-vitamin, aimed at the sex drive. L-Arginine is one of its main ingredients, along with black cohosh and raspberry leaf. Provestra has a 100% natural blend of herbals, nutrients and aphrodisiacs, and it has a 60 day money back guarantee. It may work if you are feeling run down and need a libido boost, but the results are not certain. Still, it may be a step in the right direction if you’re trying to get your sex life back on track.

Can I Blame My Lack Of Desire On Rubbish Sex Hormones?

It’s not just sex hormones that regulate your libido. Illness can take its toll on your sex life too.

We’ve already said that menopause causes issues with estrogen, but other illnesses can cause your libido to fall flat on its face as well. Take those major passion-killers called stress and over-tiredness for example. Who wants a hot night of sex when they are panicking about performing well at their 8.30 breakfast meeting? Life worries, such as job pressures, mortgages rises, family sickness, and bereavements all take their toll. Even every day illness like colds, flu, and hayfever can be blamed for diminishing libidos. Not to mention that their remedies can also put a stop to your early nights.

You’ll notice that we didn’t mention fitness levels yet. Thought you’d escaped huh? Well, I’m afraid not. To have a healthy libido you need a level of bodily fitness. Your car won’t start if you leave it standing unused, and your body will react the same way. Use your body, and get blood flowing to those lady parts naturally. If this doesn’t work for you, then it might be time to try a sex supplement.

On a psychological note, past experiences and self image can block your libido. It you have issues with sex, take a look at female sexual disorder. Don’t underestimate the power of your mind over your body. If people can walk over hot coals by thinking about something else, then your mind can kill your libido stone dead. On the other hand, if you have a positive self image, and like your body, you may find there’s a bedroom replay of that time you dropped a tin of tuna in olive oil.

There are so many reasons that you can’t get in the mood, it’s a wonder that the human race re-populates at all. So no, sex hormones can’t take the entire blame.

Levels of sex hormones are worth investigating if you struggle with a low libido. They play a big role in our general health, and regulate our sex lives. If you have decreasing levels of estrogen and testosterone, then it’s possible that no amount of leafy greens and zumba classes will help. Natural supplements may support production of your sex hormones, but if you feel really dreadful you know what we are going to say… See your doctor.