Help! My sex drive drops in the winter

Q:

My libido isn’t usually a problem, but it absolutely tanks during the winter. All I want to do is bundle up under the covers, not undress. What can help restore it?

A:

There may be reasons for your disinterest in sex beyond feeling chilly. One factor that likely plays a role: a lack of sunlight. In the winter, many women are deficient in vitamin D, which the body makes when exposed to the sun. This shortfall can lead to a number of symptoms, including decreased desire.

But loss of libido can also be a sign of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression that affects four times more women than men, or the more common, milder form of SAD known as winter blues. Symptoms typically start in late fall as hours of sunlight diminish, then go away during the spring and summer months. Women with SAD often notice other symptoms, like a lack of energy, trouble concentrating or uncontrollable cravings that can lead to weight gain.

Fortunately, taking steps to counteract that missing sun exposure can help. To start, try taking 2,000 IU of vitamin D-3 daily. In one study, women with low D levels who did so reported improved desire, sexual satisfaction and mood. You could also consider light therapy, where you sit in front of a lightbox that mimics the effect of sunlight for 15 to 30 minutes each morning. This can help increase feel-good brain chemicals and reset your body clock to banish symptoms. You can buy a lightbox online for about $30. Most people notice improvements within a week or two. But if these strategies don’t help, your doctor can offer other options.

Still, one of my favorite strategies for boosting libido is scheduling sex. Sometimes all it takes to feel like having sex is having sex!