Health & Wellbeing 6 foods to boost your libido…

Get your sex life back on track with these expert tips

There are many body-boosting benefits to having a healthy sex life. Research shows that regular sessions between the sheets can increase immunity, lower stress and blood pressure, and improve heart health. Sex can also help to turn back the clock – it stimulates the release of oestrogen and testosterone, boosts collagen and prevents hair loss. But what if you’re no longer up for it? Take these steps to revive a dwindling sex drive.

Is it the menopause?

The menopause can have a huge effect on your sex life. Plummeting levels of oestrogen affect blood flow to the vagina, and the accompanying confidence wobbles and mood swings can leave you feeling lustless. ‘Oestrogen production is low after the menopause, but testosterone can also be reduced, lessening sex drive in some women,’ says women’s health expert Dr Marilyn Glenville. Try taking zinc, which is an essential mineral for hormone balance, or speak to your GP if you need help managing menopausal symptoms.

How is your health?

Studies show that women with good health overall are nearly twice as likely to report an interest in sex than those with poorer health – proving that looking after yourself pays off in the bedroom. To stay on your A-game, and not get rundown, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, stay hydrated and get enough sleep; between seven and eight hours a night.

Any bad habits?

Smoking and alcohol can lower your sex drive, so quitting can help. ‘Sexual response is reduced by regular and prolonged drinking,’ says clinical psychologist and alcohol expert Dr Abigael San. ‘Women may experience reduced lubrication, find it harder to have an orgasm, or have orgasms that are less intense.’ Drinkaware.co.uk has tips to reduce your booze intake, and you can access the free Smokefree National Helpline by calling 0300 123 1044.

Can you work on your relationship?

A lack of sexual desire could be due to unresolved resentment. ‘Open lines of communication with your partner, so that anger can be expressed in places other than the bedroom,’ says Dr Glenville. If the problem is deep rooted or because of a major issue such as infidelity, it may help to have

couples’ counselling.

Is it painful?

One in 10 women in the UK is experiencing painful sex*, with dryness a common complaint during the menopause – caused by the vaginal walls becoming thinner and less elastic due to the dip in oestrogen. ‘Vaginal dryness can feel like a prickling sensation, sometimes accompanied by itching, burning and pain,’ says GP Dr Dawn Harper. Avoid douches, talcum powder, hot baths, perfumed toilet papers and bath oils as they can irritate the vagina. Mention pain and bleeding during sex to your doctor to rule out something more serious.