Spotlight on female libido

A multi-faceted issue 

Low libido is an incredibly common challenge but a subject many find uncomfortable discussing and is often overlooked by health professionals.  

The impact it can have on our closest relationships and how we feel about ourselves is so important to our wellbeing. Sexual intimacy is closely related to relationship satisfaction and there’s an increasing evidence base to support the connection this has to our wider health. 

This is due to the biological effects emotional stress triggers in our nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular and immune systems.  

Loss of libido or low sex drive can be a significant cause of anxiety and frustration for many and can have a variety of contributing factors. Tight schedules, sedentary lifestyles, poor dietary habits, demanding jobs or family stresses can all play their part in dampening mood and drive. 

Sex drivers 

Female sex drive and function is very multi-faceted, with key influences being:

• Sex hormones (particularly the balance of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone) 
  
• Stress hormones
• Thyroid hormones
• Underlying health conditions 
• Medication side effects 
• Relationship quality and intimacy 
• Mental health (particularly anxiety & depression)
• Alcohol & drug use 

Menopause connection 

Libido issues can become exacerbated during the years around menopause, with evidence showing that up to 80% of women going through the perimenopause and menopause experience significant loss of sex drive and 50% experience vaginal dryness, irritation and pain during intercourse.  

This is due to a drop in hormone levels, specifically oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone.  

These hormonal disruptions cause physical changes in the vaginal and vulval area, specifically causing thinning, drying and inflammation of the walls of the vagina. This can make sex uncomfortable or painful. A 2019 research review found that sexual function may noticeably decline 20 months before the last menstrual period.  

Sex drive is complex and multi-factorial but we wanted to formulate something truly exceptional we could be confident in, using the most up-to-date scientific evidence to help you bring back your spark.  

True Food® Rekindle; our all-natural, multi-mechanistic solution 

A first-of-its-kind blend of libido-loving botanicals and nutrients uniquely formulated to rekindle your desire. 

We've thoughtfully combined five synergistic ingredients from nature to help your body and mind reconnect to your most intimate self. These high-quality extracts offer a natural lift, targeting multiple barriers to intimacy by supporting normal sex hormones, blood flow, helping regulate mood, motivation and energy to help you get your spark back. 

Nature’s Sexiest plant-powered blend 

Fenugreek  

This spice may be particularly beneficial around the menopause with balancing blood sugar for more stable energy and mood. It may help to balance oestrogen and testosterone due to specific saponins which may bind with oestrogen receptors which helps with sex drive as well as arousal. 

It’s been shown in studies to help support metabolic health and other menopause issues such as hot flushes, mood swings and night sweats, which can all put sex on the back burner.   

Liboost®  

We are the first to bring this scientifically backed ingredient to the UK market. Liboost® is a quality assured damiana extract shown to support female libido and sexual function by 92% after 4 weeks.  

Damiana has a rich ancient history of traditional use dating back to the Mayans who turned to this potent herb as a natural aphrodisiac and has earned its modern nickname as "Mexican Viagra". 

Evidence suggests damiana helps improve blood flow which boosts arousal and helps reduce vaginal discomfort and dryness. Liboost® may help with relaxation of smooth muscle in the vagina which helps reduce discomfort and supports pleasure.   

Liboost® also supports normal testosterone levels by reducing testosterone break down if needed.   

Women taking Liboost® for 4 weeks reported improvements in desire, lubrication, frequency, satisfaction, orgasm and pain reduction. 83% of these women would buy Liboost®  again and 85% of participants would recommend to a friend after trying it for 4 weeks.   

Panax ginseng  

Also known as Korean ginseng, this potent herb has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to support multiple areas of health. Considered an adaptogen, panax ginseng can help the body deal with stress and has been shown to support mood, cognition and sexual function.  

One of the ways it does this is by increasing nitric oxide which improves blood flow. Panax ginseng has also been shown to inhibit the enzyme responsible for breaking testosterone down into DHT so can help normalise testosterone levels in those who are low.  

Due to its powerful antioxidant effects it’s also been shown to improve low energy and mood, which can both be barriers to sexual arousal and function. 

Tribulus terrestris

This plant has been traditionally used in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine as a herbal aphrodisiac, supporting sexual function and wider vitality. Studies using the clinically validated FSFI (female sexual function index) have shown improvements in sex drive for pre and post-menopausal women when supplemented with tribulus.  

Tribulus is rich in antioxidant compounds and may also benefit wider metabolic health by supporting reductions in blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as reducing high blood sugar in those with diabetes, but more research is needed to confirm this. 

True Food® zinc
This essential mineral supports key hormones and whole body health as it's needed for over 300 processes in the body. 

Zinc has been shown to improve testosterone levels and sexual function, including desire, arousal, satisfaction, and pain, after menopause when compared with placebo. 

Our True Food® zinc is 100% naturally sourced from the fruiting bodies of shiitake mushrooms grown on certified biodynamic farms. This delivers zinc in its naturally complete True Food® form.
Kinder to you, the planet, and the communities which grow the mushrooms. 

Libido-loving lifestyle 

Managing and minimising stress is one of the best things you can do to support a healthy libido.  

When under physical or mental stress, the body goes into fight-or-flight mode. This can disrupt your hormones and de-prioritises "unnecessary" functions for immediate survival, like appetite and sexual desire.  

Stress also saps motivation and energy levels, so its unsurprising that it puts the brakes on libido too.  

Nurture connections 

Prioritise time with your loved one. Dedicate quality time to your relationship and consider turning off the TV and other screens to talk or to schedule an activity you enjoy together. 

Talk to your partner, honest communication is a must to nurture your connection with each other.  

Nourish your body 

Focus on a healthy and balanced diet rich in plant foods such as berries and green vegetables. These are fantastic sources of antioxidants and plant polyphenols which help protect nerve cells. 

Make sure you are eating several portions of oily fish such as sardines, salmon, mackerel or herring to get your omega 3s. These fatty acids are essential for cellular health and support our mucus membranes. They help build hormones and protect nerve cells and are anti-inflammatory. If you struggle to get enough from diet, pair nourishment with convenience by taking a high-quality supplement. Our Super Potency Omega 3 is sustainably sourced and offers unbeatable purity.  

Add moderate exercise to your routine and practice movement you enjoy. This increases feel good chemicals in the brain and supports cardiovascular function to help improve blood flow. Blood flow is vital for optimising sexual function as it nourishes tissues and nerves with essential nutrients. 

Make quality sleep a priority by fostering a wind down routine that works for you. Restorative sleep is essential for the body’s natural repair and detoxification processes and helps to keep hormones balanced. It also helps support resilience to stress. 

Reduce alcohol and smoking. Both can negatively impact libido. Alcohol acts as a nervous system suppressant which can significantly reduce sexual sensitivity, lubrication and pleasure, making it harder to orgasm.  Alcohol also places additional burden on your liver which can significantly impact female hormone balance. 

Smoking can seriously affect blood flow by damaging blood vessels and increasing risks of cardiovascular disease. This can cause problems with arousal and difficulty reaching orgasm. 

We're here to help

Our qualified nutritional therapist Elizabeth has over 15 years' experience supporting women’s wellbeing.  

If you’d like personalised advice or would like to check the suitability of our supplements for you, please call 0800 458 4747 to arrange a FREE 15-minute chat with Elizabeth.  

Alternatively, you can email Nutritionsupport@highernature.com, or reach out via the chat function at the bottom of your screen.