How do libido pills work

Females also experience increased blood flow to the genitals during arousal, so in theory, Viagra could have a similar effect. Few studies have tested this theory. One small study did find that Viagra might help address low libido in females when the issue results from taking certain antidepressants: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.

A number of other medications may boost low sexual desire by targeting the cause. For example, when low libido results from trauma or anxiety , anti-anxiety medications may help.

In people who are going through or who have gone through menopause , estrogen replacement therapy may help increase low libido. Also, some research suggests that adding testosterone to estrogen therapy may have this effect. When a low sex drive is linked with serotonin levels in the brain, Addyi may be particularly effective. Researchers are likewise unsure how Vyleesi works in the body. They know that it effects melanocortin receptors, but the link with increased sexual desire remains unclear.

The FDA reports two placebo-controlled trials that have shown statistically significant increases in sexual desire and arousal among females who used Vyleesi. However, the researchers found that Vyleesi did not increase the number of sexually satisfying experiences. Vyleesi and Addyi treat premenopausal hypoactive sexual desire disorder, which is the medical term for low libido in females who have not gone through menopause.

Also, there is no cutoff point at which sexual desire becomes clinically low. What defines low libido is that a person is distressed by what they consider a lack of interest in sex. The most common side effects of Addyi include:. The most common side effects of Vyleesi are:. Sexual desire is complex, and the cause of low libido may not be something that medication can address. Trauma, unsatisfying sex, or boredom can each reduce desire. Some research suggests that long term, monogamous relationships may lead to a reduction in desire among females.

A study that included male and female participants found that — among females only — being in a relationship for longer than 1 year correlated with a decrease in sexual desire. When low sexual desire results from any — or a combination — of these factors, medication may not be effective.

Heterosexual norms may also be problematic for some females. Research consistently shows that most females need or prefer clitoral stimulation to have an orgasm.

Prioritizing this form of stimulation, such as with oral sex or manual stimulation during intercourse, can make sex more pleasurable for some females, and this may increase their libido. In fact, some studies show that saffron could improve sexual dysfunction caused by antidepressants in both men and women Additionally, a review of 5 studies in people noted that saffron significantly improved various aspects of sexual pleasure, desire, and arousal in men and women Saffron may boost libido in people on antidepressants, but its effects are inconsistent in those not taking these drugs.

According to some older research and animal studies, it may treat various issues, including sexual disorders like ED and low libido. This is because it can raise blood levels of nitric oxide, which aids blood flow by promoting the expansion of blood vessels 24 , 25 , When combined with other compounds like L-arginine, zinc, and Tribulus terrestris , supplements containing ginkgo biloba have been shown to improve libido and sexual function in men and women 27 , However, several other studies have shown that ginkgo biloba on its own had little to no impact on libido or other aspects of sexual dysfunction in men Ginkgo biloba may treat various aspects of sexual dysfunction because it can raise levels of nitric oxide.

However, studies are inconsistent and more research is needed. Your body then converts it into L-arginine, which helps improve blood flow by producing nitric oxide to dilate your blood vessels. This, in turn, may treat ED For example, a small study in 24 men with mild ED found that taking 1.

In another day study in men, taking a daily combination of mg of L-citrulline and mg of trans-resveratrol improved erectile function and hardness, compared with the placebo treatment Trans-resveratrol, commonly known as resveratrol , is a plant compound that functions as an antioxidant and is linked to numerous health benefits.

L-citrulline is available as a dietary supplement in capsule or powder form but is naturally present in foods like watermelon, dark chocolate, and nuts. Several other foods and supplements are commonly promoted as libido boosting. Other services like Hims , Lemonaid , and Giddy can help you customize your own ED treatment and have your medications sent directly to you. A few foods and supplements may even act as aphrodisiacs , including tribulus, maca, red ginseng, fenugreek, saffron, gingko biloba, and L-citrulline.

Most of these are well tolerated and widely available, making them easy to incorporate into your daily routine. Keep in mind some of these libido-boosting foods and supplements may interact with certain drugs. If you take medication, you may want to consult a medical professional beforehand. There are many natural ways to boost your libido, such as eating aphrodisiacs and sleeping more. Discover other foods and lifestyle habits you should….

The use of herbs for erectile dysfunction goes back over 2, years. Now science is catching up. Chronic stress is often to blame for low sex drive. Job problems, family or financial pressures, or relationship difficulties are among the most common causes; in those cases, relieving or lowering stress levels is the best approach to reinvigorating sexual desire.

What about using anti-stress medications as libido enhancement pills? It could be a temporary fix, but there are two arguments against it. Vulva-havers, however, have to deal with their hormones every month until they reach menopause — and often, well beyond that point.

Menstrual periods provide constant reminders of how sex hormones affect the body. At different points during the menstrual cycle, most vulva owners experience issues like cramps and back pain, sore breasts and PMS. Testosterone apparently plays a smaller role in the equation. Want more examples? Estrogen steadily rises during pregnancy , which is why sex drive is sometimes high during those months; it decreases after giving birth and during breastfeeding.

On the other hand, the body begins producing much less estrogen during and after menopause , which is why libido often drops in post-menopausal patients. Stay tuned. Depression is a major cause of low libido and unsatisfactory sex life in vulva owners.

Libido pills might be a possible solution, though, since studies have shown that Viagra and similar medications can successfully treat penis-havers suffering with both depression and sexual function problems. Two libido disorders that affect vulva-havers, both diagnosed as mental health issues, have already been shown to respond to medication. We categorized the potential causes of low libido for an important reason: they determine which medications might ease or reverse low sex drive in vulva-havers.

Doctors usually prescribe estrogen hormone therapy for vulva owners who are experiencing common issues related to menopause, like vaginal dryness due to lack of lubrication, hot flashes, depression — and a reduced sex drive. Endocrinologists often take the same approach, hormone therapy, for their younger patients who have libido problems due to an estrogen deficiency. Meds like Yuvafem and Estrace contain estradiol, a form of estrogen, while others like Premarin and Estratab contain a mix of estrogen hormones.

Estrogen therapy can also be prescribed as creams, sprays, gels, skin patches or vaginal suppositories. Those methods of administration may not be as effective but are believed to carry fewer side effects than estrogen pills, particularly for those with liver problems or high cholesterol.

We should mention that some doctors do prescribe testosterone therapy , by itself or in conjunction with estrogen, to boost libido in patients who are in menopause or have already gone through it. Many psychologists and psychiatrists, for that reason, try to ease depression with an approach like talk therapy before prescribing medications. However, the unique antidepressant Wellbutrin buproprion is the first-line choice if meds are called for, because it is less likely to cause sexual side effects.

Doctors sometimes prescribe it alongside a more problematic SSRI as well. That brings us to the more interesting medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration FDA to treat disorders recognized as actual mental health conditions. Vyleesi bremelanotide was approved for the treatment of HSSD in Vyleesi is administered as a self-injection right before sexual activity.

Studies that have been done so far show bremelanotide produces noticeable and long-lasting improvements in those suffering with low libido due to HSSD, with only minor side effects like nausea with the initial dose. It also carries with it side effects like low blood pressure, dizziness and nausea, which are magnified with alcohol use and for those on hormonal birth control.

In short, Vyleesi — and to a much lesser extent, Addyi — appear to be the first viable libido prescription medications designed to treat low sex drive in vulva-havers.

The ads tout ingredients like Ginkgo biloba, ginseng and L-arginine, some of which may provide health and wellness benefits, but none of which has been proven to have any benefit for libido.

Some products actually contain ingredients like Spanish fly and yohimbine which could be harmful when ingested.