Vitamins for Sex Drive
Vitamins can help you last longer in bed! Yes, you read that right. They not only help you last longer in bed but can also improve your overall sexual health and appetite.
Having a good sex drive is often indicative of a healthy lifestyle. Too little or too much exercise, is one of the reasons for a low sex drive; other reasons that could also trigger low sex drive in an individual are, low hormone levels, medication, and conditions like restless leg syndrome. However, the fact that you can bring your sex drive back on track naturally, is good news worth celebrating!
Certain vitamins can help increase your libido, especially if it is caused due to a hormonal condition. These vitamins that we will further discuss in this article are in fact easily available. You can find them in your kitchen, and chances are you might be using them as part of your diet already! If in case you require external supplements of these vitamins, it is always best to consult a professional, who will then put you on prescribed pills
What is a sex drive?
The need to engage in sexual activity either with one’s self or with a partner, is known as sex drive. This desire is also termed as libido. A person’s sex drive is often a result of their biological, physical, and social state of being. Biologically, associated neurotransmitters and the sex hormones assist in regulating libido. Work life, family, stress, one’s mental state of being, your partner’s mental state of being, etc, are a few of the social and psychological factors that affect one’s sex drive.
Your sex drive or libido could either peak or drop due to various reasons;
Certain causes of a high sex drive are,
- Changes in neurotransmitters
- Increased or intense exercise
- Drug consumption
- High testosterone levels
Causes of low sex drive are,
- Mental health
- Medication
- Age
- Chronic conditions
- Relationship satisfaction
- Obesity
Other factors like culture, societal constrict, religion, etc., could also affect an individual’s sex drive.
Vitamins for sex drive
Vitamins not only play an important role in the functioning of the immune system but they are also known for supporting your sexual health. Often, choosing the right vitamins can help you improve your libido. Supplementing these vitamins can increase your sex drive and help get your sex life back on track.
Vitamins for sex drive male
Hormones can play a huge role in one’s sex drive; one good example would be testosterone. Testosterone is said to help keep one’s sex drive high, and therefore, men are known to have a good sex drive, primarily due to the presence of testosterone. Even with the presence of testosterone, sometimes men might experience low sex drive. At times like this, vitamins can come to the rescue. They might just be the answer to all your concerns!
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is omnipresent. You can find it in your day to day meals and in almost everything that you might consume. Hence it is one of the most popular vitamins. Studies suggest that vitamin A might be essential to virility and sperm production. It can also be vital for the body’s testosterone production, a sex hormone [1].
Vitamin B3
Along with the many functions it facilitates in the body, vitamin B3 also converts enzymes into energy. Energy is one of the most important factors when it comes to indulging in sexual activity; without energy you will not be able to perform in bed, and that could be either mistaken, or considered a result of low sex drive. Vitamin B3 can also help you sustain an erection and increase blood flow.
Vitamin C
Out of various vitamins, vitamin C is one of the few that are known to boost your sex life. It can also help you last longer in bed. Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, and even grapefruits, are few of the main sources of vitamin C, and can help increase your sex drive.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D can help the body in producing nitric acid, creating endothelial cells from oxidative stress, and maintaining healthy bones, muscles, and immune functions. It also aids in maintaining mental health! If you have a low sex drive, chances are you might have a vitamin D deficiency; so factors that come from a healthy consumption of vitamin D – such as the things discussed above- can help improve your sexual function [2].
Vitamin E
Vitamin E, termed as the “sex vitamin,” for it’s ability to improve sex drive comes from its role in testosterone production and its ability to improve sperm function. Vitamin E’s anti-aging and antioxidative properties can help enhance male vigor and vitality. It can also help sustain a lasting erection by increasing blood flow and oxygen to the penis [3].
Vitamins for sex drive female
Women’s sex drive is said to be lower in comparison to that of men. This could be due to hormonal, social, and/or psychological factors. However, regardless, women’s sex drive fluctuates over the years. They might reach their peak during puberty, and might start losing their sex drive as they age or near menopause. Some people believe that menopause can in some ways help improve women’s sex drive, but that isn’t written in stone and therefore they might have to look for other alternatives. Vitamins have often proven to be effective in stabilizing and/or improving a woman’s libido.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A helps maintain a regular reproductive cycle and adequate levels of female sex hormones. Food sources of Vitamin A include apricots, chilies, sweet potato, tomato, greens, grapefruit, lettuce, mango, peppers, spinach, cabbage, carrot, and watermelon [4].
Vitamin B3
Vitamin B3 supports the adrenal glands in the production of sex hormones. It also helps blood flow smoothly and at a faster rate. Food sources of Vitamin B3 include whole wheat bread, peanuts, brown rice, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 regulates the sex hormones, controls raised prolactin levels, ups your libido, and regulates the production of estrogen, serotonin, testosterone, red blood cells, and dopamine. For women in the pre-menopause stage, it is especially important. Food sources of Vitamin B6 include bananas, avocados, baked potatoes, cottage cheese, and tomatoes [5].
Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps with arousal. It helps to synthesize fertility and sex hormones. It is also a great immunity booster. It helps keep your joints smooth and pain-free. Food sources of Vitamin C include strawberries, kiwi, citrus fruits, cantaloupe, sweet and chili peppers [6].
Vitamin E
Vitamin E regulates your sex hormones, giving your libido a lift. It also pumps blood and oxygen to your nether regions. Vitamin E also has anti-aging properties. Food sources of Vitamin E include sweet potato, spinach, walnuts, broccoli, tomatoes, egg yolk, asparagus, chickpeas, chestnuts, and whole-grain loaves of bread [7].
Pills to increase sex drive
Although direct nutrition through your diet is what would ideally be recommended when you’re trying to increase your sex drive, you might just have to rely on other measures, like taking pills. In this day and age, it is not hard to come across pills to increase sex drive.
Pills to increase male sex drive
As a male, if you’re trying to increase your sex drive, here are some pill options you could consider.
- VigFX
- ProSolution
- Viasil
- Performer8
- VigRXPlus
- Max Performer
- Semenax
- Male Extra
Pills to increase female sex drive
Female sex drive often takes a hit due to various reasons, most of which lean towards hormonal conditions. Although there aren’t any FDA-approved pills on the market that are known to increase female sex drive, you can try getting on supplements like Tribulus, maca, red ginseng, fenugreek, saffron, Ginkgo Biloba, and L-citrulline to boost your libido.
However, one tablet, an antidepressant by the name of Wellbutrin, may be prescribed to women with a low sex drive and who haven’t been through menopause.
Foods rich in sex vitamins
Often, fixing your diet can help improve your sex drive. A nutritious diet can be beneficial to your sexual life. It can,
- Boost your libido
- Improve your stamina
- Improve your heart health
- Improve your blood flow
Some common foods you could include to improve your sexual health and boost your libido are,
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Honey
- Strawberry
- Raw oysters
- Capsaicin
- Palmetto
- Chasteberry
- Figs
- Bananas
- Potatoes
Foods that can help increase your libido as a male are,
- Oysters
- Apples
- Beets
- Nuts and seeds
- Red Wine
- Meats that are high in amino acids like L-arginine
- Salmon
As a female, the foods you’d consume to increase your libido would be different,
- Ginseng
- Red wine
- Maca
- Ginkgo biloba
- Apple
- Tribulus Terrestris
- Saffron
If nothing seems to be helping, heading to a medical professional would be the move. They can help you find the root of your problem and discuss ways on how to handle it. From there, together you can find solutions that might work for you.
How to increase sex drive
Your sex drive can be affected due to various reasons; they could be a result of physical, emotional, and even social conditions. Often you can improve your sex life and libido naturally, but at times you might need to consult a professional. However, here are some tips and tricks you could use to naturally improve your libido.
In men
We know that the higher the testosterone level, the higher the sex drive; therefore, it only makess sense to say that men have a higher libido than women. Now, although men do have a naturally high sex drive, sometimes they can expereince a low libido due to various factors.
Certain vitamins and nutrients mentioned above, can help you naturally increase your libido and sexual performance. In addition to consuming thta, you could also try,
- Getting your daily dose of sunshine
- Staying active with moderate exercise
- Reducing stress with activities such as yoga and meditation
- Masturbating to increase longevity
- Toning down on habits like smoking and drinking
In women
Women’s sex drive can be affected when they go through menopause or have to get on hormone medications for various medical reasons. It could also result from other factors. Although you can treat your sexual appetite with your diet, here are other methods you could try,
- Exercise regularly
- Reduce stress levels
- Set aside time for intimacy
- Spice up your sex life
- Reduce your drinking and smoking habits
Sometimes, your relationship with your partner and/or medical health conditions could be some of the factors that decrease your libido. If your relationship with your sexual partner might be affecting your sex drive, then it is always best to communicate this with them. Getting professional help fom sex therapists or relationship counselors is also an option.
FAQs
What vitamin is good sexually?
Although there is a list of vitamins and minerals that can help you sexually, vitamin E is said to be the most efficient. Vitamin E, a sex vitamin, is beneficial to both men and women regarding sexual health. It can increase blood flow to your genitals while also regulating your hormones, which can help improve your sex life.
Is vitamin B12 good for men’s sex drive?
Yes, vitamin B12 is good for men’s sex drive. It plays various roles in the male sex drive and erectile dysfunction. It is known to increase your sex drive naturally, and since it plays a role in manufacturing red blood cells, it can also help enhance your erection. Since B12 can help increase red blood cells, in some ways it can help increase blood flow to your genitals, and that essentially can help you sustain an erection.
Is zinc good for sex?
Zinc is known to help produce sex hormones–testosterone and prolactin. It can induce a calming and antidepressant effect, which can help sustain an erection and, at times, increase your sexual appetite. Zinc also positively affects arousal; overall, zinc can be good for sex.
Does zinc make you harder?
Yes, zinc can make you hard, or in other terms can help you sustain an erection. Zinc’s properties to produce sex hormones play a significant role in preventing erectile dysfunction. Its calming and antidepressant effect, apart from its ability to positively affect arousal, can also help you get erect.
Wrapping up
Sexual health consists of mental, emotional, and physical factors. To maintain good sexual health, you must maintain good relationships with your partner while also ensuring your body receives its nutrients. Sex drive plays a significant role in everyone’s life. A low sex drive can affect the relationship you share with your partner, your self-esteem, and your relationship with sex.
Sometimes, your sex drive can be affected due to various factors, and therefore, fixing your diet and your day-to-day routines can help. To make a difference in your sex life, you could also try including foods rich in vitamins and minerals.
After having taken all the measures possible to improve your libido and still not seeing any difference, you might have to get on pills for an enhanced sex drive. It goes unsaid that you will require a professional’s advice and prescription. Sometimes, you might need to consult a sex therapist who will help guide you through any issues that you are facing in the bedroom.
Since this is a journey that you embark on with your partner, ensure that you are constantly communicating with them. Also remember that you are not alone!
References
- Appling, D R, and F Chytil. “Evidence of a role for retinoic acid (vitamin A-acid) in the maintenance of testosterone production in male rats.” Endocrinology vol. 108,6 (1981): 2120-4.
- Krysiak, Robert et al. “The effect of low vitamin D status on sexual functioning and depressive symptoms in apparently healthy men: a pilot study.” International journal of impotence research vol. 30,5 (2018): 224-229.
- Umeda, F et al. “Effect of vitamin E on function of pituitary-gonadal axis in male rats and human subjects.” Endocrinologia japonica vol. 29,3 (1982): 287-92.
- Clagett-Dame, Margaret, and Danielle Knutson. “Vitamin A in reproduction and development.” Nutrients vol. 3,4 (2011): 385-428.
- Tardy, Anne-Laure et al. “Vitamins and Minerals for Energy, Fatigue and Cognition: A Narrative Review of the Biochemical and Clinical Evidence.” Nutrients vol. 12,1 228. 16 Jan. 2020.
- Chambial, Shailja et al. “Vitamin C in disease prevention and cure: an overview.” Indian journal of clinical biochemistry : IJCB vol. 28,4 (2013): 314-28.
- Ghamari, Kiandokht et al. “Vitamin E and ginseng supplementation to enhance female sexual function: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial.” Women & health vol. 60,10 (2020): 1164-1173.