How Estrogen Affects Sex Drive

Your doctor may diagnose you with low sex drive if you lack sexual desire, thought, or sexual feelings. Higher estrogen levels in the female body promote the production of vaginal lubrication, which ultimately increases sexual drive among women.

So, if you are suffering from a low sex drive, it could be that your estrogen hormone levels are low.

How to Increase Estrogen Levels

Be aware that if you have low estrogen you might also have low progesterone. Progesterone is most commonly boosted through creams and medications, but some may prefer a more natural approach.

One possible way to boost progesterone is through herbal supplements. However, not all herbal supplements are effective for boosting progesterone. There are also natural ways to raise progesterone levels is through a healthy diet and lifestyle. Foods such as cruciferous vegetables, nuts, and whole grains. Keeping a healthy weight, staying on a consistent sleep schedule, and managing stress can help to keep hormones balanced as well.

Food Sources

Some food types are known to be excellent sources of estrogen. These foods have phytoestrogens, which are estrogen-like compounds found in plants. They include:

• Soy and other foods containing soy protein
• Berries
• Flaxseeds
• Peaches
• Sesame seeds
• Tofu
• Garlic

Studies suggest that the above foods affect estrogen levels in the body. Many of these foods either directly support the creation of estrogen or replicate the activity of estrogen in the body.

Supplements

Some supplements and herbs also contain phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are plant-based compounds that mimic estrogen in the body. They have been found to be beneficial in combatting symptoms and conditions caused by estrogen deficiency. This may be of particular benefit to premenopausal and post-menopausal women. Phytoestrogens may also play a role in fighting cancer.

These are:

• Red clover
• Black cohosh
• Soy isoflavones
• Chasteberry
• Evening primrose oil
• Dong quai

Numerous studies have reported that phytoestrogens—including isoflavones, flavonoids, and lignans—can affect estrogen or progesterone concentrations in postmenopausal women. Nevertheless, it is unclear how much and with what consistency the above compounds affect estrogen activity in the body. Some good news is there has also been no associations between taking phytoestrogen supplements and weight gain or loss, or any other changes in measurements of body composition like waist-to-hip ratio.

Hormone Therapy

Your doctor may also recommend hormone therapy as a treatment for low sex drive associated with low estrogen levels. Estrogen can be given in many forms, including gels, sprays, pills, and patches. Remember that every form has its benefits and risks, and it is best to consult your doctor on these risks and benefits.

Verdict

Estrogen hormone is a vital hormone in the sex lives of both men and women. Low estrogen levels can result in low sex drive. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to increase estrogen levels in the body, as mentioned above. We hope the information has been resourceful for you. Remember to consult your doctor when considering hormone therapy, too much estrogen, also called estrogen dominance, can be caused by a variety of factors. Some women naturally produce more estrogen than progesterone. So it is best to start with some tests.