A Surprising Reason for Your Low Sex Drive

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We Have To Talk About…

A Surprising Reason for Your Low Sex Drive

If you’ve ever gone through a phase where your sex drive felt nonexistent, you’re not alone. One study found that 75% percent of women have experienced a low libido — something that can fluctuate throughout your life. Several factors can impact it, including your mental health, age, side effects from medicines, and relationship issues. But there’s another possibility you might not know about: Your gut health.

Wait, start from the beginning

The gut microbiome is home to trillions of organisms, and when it’s happy (more on that in a sec), it may help boost your sex drive by…

Stimulating desire

The gut can affect your hormones, including serotonin and dopamine — which play a role in your sex drive, from increasing arousal to giving you a sense of pleasure, says Supriya Rao, MD, board-certified gastroenterologist. Balanced hormones = better mood, less stress, and potentially a thriving libido. 

Boosting energy

It can be hard to get in the mood to do anything when you’re exhausted. A healthy gut is key to absorbing the nutrients your body needs for energy and vitality, which can fuel your sex drive. High-fiber foods, complex carbs, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables are your best bet for good food-energy sources.

So how do I know if my gut is healthy?

It can be hard to know without talking to a professional — so speak to your PCP or gastroenterologist if you’re concerned. Especially if you’re experiencing chronic GI issues like abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, or bloating, or non-GI symptoms like brain fog, joint pain, or anxiety.

Your move

If you think your gut health is impacting your libido…

• Eat a diverse, fiber-rich diet that includes whole foods like fruits, veggies, legumes, and fermented foods (kimchi, sauerkraut, and kefir) that boost beneficial bacteria.

• Know that a healthy gut isn’t just about what you eat — regular exercise, adequate sleep, and managing stress all contribute.

If you’ve done these things and are still worried about your sex drive or what’s impacting it, reach out to your OB-GYN.

Ask An Expert

Last week, we asked you to vote on a question to answer. The winner was:

Should I be taking probiotics or prebiotics?

FEATURED EXPERT:

Daniel Kim, DO

A board-certified family physician at Medical Offices of Manhattan

If you’re generally healthy, you likely don’t need them in supplement form. But “if you’re having digestive issues, probiotics may be the better option. Prebiotics can improve the effectiveness of probiotics,” says Kim.

Experts also recommend prioritizing pre- and probiotics through your diet via foods like yogurt, pickles, apples, and onions. 

To find out the difference between prebiotics and probiotics, keep reading.

TOGETHER WITH THE CROHN’S & COLITIS FOUNDATION

Pop Quiz

1 in 100 people in the US have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). That’s not to be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is a separate gastrointestinal disorder. Do you know the difference?

If you guessed A for IBD, you’re right. A major challenge of living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis — two debilitating, chronic types of IBD — is figuring out what you can eat. Thankfully, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s free online recipe finder has more than 500 dietitian-approved recipes for those with IBD or an interest in gut-healthy eating. Get cooking.

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