5 Herbal Supplements That Can Boost Sex Drive in Women

Sexual dysfunction is common in women. Nearly 40 percent of women worldwide have some form of sexual problems that has caused them either personal or interpersonal distress in their lives. Sexual dysfunction, such as having low sex drive or desire, can worsen as women age. In fact, almost half of all postmenopausal women have reported to suffering from low sex drive/decreased libido. As common as low sex drive is for women, deciding on what path to choose for treatment can be a daunting and terrifying task.

For older women who are either perimenopausal or are in menopause, hormone replacement therapy is typically the mainstay treatment for treating sexual dysfunction. However, for some women who cannot tolerate hormone replacement therapy, or who choose not to embark on that journey for whatever reasons, they may feel lost on what other options there is to try.

In this article, we discuss the common reasons for declining sex drive, and provide alternative forms of treatment, such as herbal supplements, which can be a powerful aphrodisiac in improving sex drive and function.

What Causes Low Sex Drive?

Low sex drive can result from a multitude of reasons. One of the most common reason that most people are aware of is menopause. As women age, the sex hormones that influence sex drive and function – estrogen and progesterone – decline. Menopause, which is the cessation of menstrual periods for at least 12 months, signals the end of a woman’s reproductive childbearing years, and is a time where estrogen levels are at their lowest. Signs of low estrogen and progesterone levels from menopause include low sex drive, vaginal dryness, and changes in mood, among other problems.

Other causes of low sex drive may include relationships problems, self-esteem issues, personal and cultural beliefs, history of trauma or abuse, substance use, even certain medications, such as antidepressants. It is important to discuss any of these issues with your healthcare provider to get to the root cause of your sexual health concerns, so that she may help you get the treatment you need.

5 Herbal Supplements for Improving Female Sex Drive

1. Maca (Lepidium meyenii)

Naturally grown the Central Andes of Peru, Maca, which is considered a food in the cruciferous vegetable class, is an aphrodisiac herb that has been used by Peruvians for its fertility-enhancing properties. Maca has evidence in research is improving the sexual function of mice and rats. Some research suggests that about 3 mg a day may help improve sexual desire and improve sexual libido, particularly for those who take antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Maca has also been shown to improve early signs of menopause (perimenopause) as well as postmenopausal symptoms by balancing estrogen levels, though research is mixed regarding sex hormonal balance. Maca has the potential to help alleviate vaginal dryness, increase vaginal lubrication, and support libido, based on small studies.

Maca appears to be well tolerated with minimal to no side effects. Maca is rich in iron, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and copper, and thus has the added benefit of supporting dietary health.

2. Tribulus (Tribulis terrestris)

Native to many tropical regions, Tribulus has been shown in both human and animal studies to improve libido and sexual desire in both men and women. Tribulus has shown in smaller studies to improve sexual desire and function in pre-menopausal younger women as well as postmenopausal women who took 250mg Tribulus for 90 days.  Tribulus has also been reported to improve serum testosterone levels in women, which can be beneficial in improving sex drive, however research is mixed regarding its effect. Another study found that 500 – 1500 mg of Tribulus for 90 days increased sex drive and libido for women, though more research is needed confirm its effects of increasing vaginal lubrication and sensitivity. In general, it is recommended that a dose of 7.5mg a day for pre-menopausal women and 750mg a day for menopausal women be used to help improve sexual desire and function.

3. Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)

Red Clover is an herb found in the legume class and has been shown by some research to increase sexual desire in some women. Red Clover is high in isoflavones, and thus has some estrogenic activity thought to influence estrogen levels in women which helps to explain its mechanism of action in improving sex drive and possibly female lubrication and sensitivities. According to one study from Lipovac et al. (2011), post-menopausal women who took 80 mg of Red Clover for 90 days had improvements in libido, mood, sleep and energy. Because of its estrogenic effects, it may also help improve various menopausal symptoms, including night sweats, hot flashes, cognition, arthralgia, as well as improving bone health and reducing cardiovascular risks.

Consequently, because of its estrogenic effects, Red Clover may not be suitable for women at risk of any reproductive cancers. Furthermore, for those who are lectin-sensitive, Red Clover would not be recommended due to it being a legume. Talk to your healthcare provider at Embodied Wellness to determine if Red Clover is right for you.

4. Korean Red Ginseng (Panax ginseng)

Korean Red Ginseng is a known Chinese medicinal herb that has been used for centuries in improving immunity, treating diabetes, and supporting heart health. Some budding research has also shown red ginseng to improve sex drive, libido and overall sexual function in men and women. One small placebo-controlled, double blinded clinical study found significant improvement in female sexual function index scores in the sexual arousal domain compared to placebo. The suggested dose for treating sexual desire in females according to some studies suggests 3 grams of red ginseng per day. Potential side effects include vaginal bleeding, as well as interference in blood-thinning medications and hormone-sensitive cancer treatment.

5. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum gracecum)

Fenugreek is a plant whose seeds are most commonly used in South Asian countries for cooking, as well as Ayurvedic medicinal practices for its anti-inflammatory properties and libido-boosting effects. The compounds found in Fenugreek plants support the body’s ability to produce sex hormones, estrogen and testosterone, which may help support its mechanism of action at improving sex drive. Additionally, fenugreek also contains about 15 mg of zinc, an important mineral implicated in improving sexual function.

Rao et al. (2015) conducted a randomized controlled trial on the effects fenugreek supplementation had on 80 women who reported low sex drive, and found that 600 mg of fenugreek a day significantly improved sexual desire and arousal by the end of the 8-week study compared to placebo.

Fenugreek is generally well-tolerated though may interfere with some blood-thinning medications as well as medications treating hormone-sensitive cancers. Other potential side effects include gastrointestinal upset.

Precautions for Using Herbs to Treat Female Sexual Dysfunction

Natural herbal supplements as an aphrodisiac enhancer for treating female sexual dysfunction has become more popular in the last decade among western nations. As a result of its popularity of use, as well as being easily obtained from drug stores and local natural food stores, one may believe that it is 100 percent safe to use with little to no side effects.

Although the herbs named generally have a safe side effect profile, risks do exist and should be taken seriously before attempting to use any herbs. As mentioned in the article, some herbs may cause bleeding, while others may interact with medications, making them less effective or increasing blood levels of a particular medication, thus risking toxicity. Furthermore, the herbs mentioned are derived from randomized controlled studies, however the sample sizes are small and thus may not be generalized to a larger population. More well-designed studies with a robust sample size will need to be conducted to understand the various effects herbs can have on improving sexual health, as well as understanding the long-term effects herbs can have on the body. Herbs for all intents and purposes are medicines and should be respected as such.

If you are interested in learning how herbs can help improve sex drive and overall sexual function in women, contact Embodied Wellness to set up a free consultation to learn if herbal therapy is right for you!