How to Increase Male Libido

August 12, 2022

4 mins

Your libido is what makes you want to do it. 

Known as your sex drive or your desire for intimacy, libido plays an important role in your romantic and sexual relationships – but it’s also a measure of sexual health. 

A man’s libido is primarily influenced by his sex hormones, but mental health can play a key role too. The most significant of these sex hormones is testosterone, and it plays a critical role in both the sexual and general health of all men. 

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What Causes Low Libido?

One reason that you might experience a drop in sexual interest or loss of libido is due to low sex hormone levels. Fluctuations in your testosterone levels can greatly influence the way that your sex drive changes as you age. 

But testosterone affects more than just how often you want to have sex. 

From fetal development through adulthood, testosterone is a crucial hormone present in the male body that plays a pivotal role in the development of male reproductive tissues, the maintenance of muscle mass and bone density, and the regulation of sex drive and overall mood. 

During puberty, the body starts to produce much more testosterone. As a result of more testosterone, young men experience traditionally male physical changes like getting taller, a deeper voice, and growing facial, pubic, and body hair. 

As testosterone production continues to rise through puberty, the penis and testicles mature and become fully developed as well. 

Testosterone production will continue to rise even after puberty and reach its peak sometime in your late 20’s or early 30’s. 

After reaching this peak, testosterone production begins to decline by an average of 1.6% each year.

Although testosterone is the primary factor involved in your sex drive, there are other influencing factors that can play a role in reducing your libido, desire for sex, and sexual satisfaction, including:

• Certain drugs:  Some medications can have a negative impact on your libido and testosterone production. Some of the common prescription medications that can influence your sex drive include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), opioids, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and certain chemotherapy drugs.  

• Lifestyle factors: Poor diet, lack of exercise, lack of sleep, excessive alcohol consumption, and substance abuse can all contribute to reduced libido.

• Mental health conditions: Depression, anxiety, and stress can reduce the pleasure or desire you experience during sex and might result in a loss of interest in the activity. 

• Erectile dysfunction (ED): ED is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection firm enough for sex. Losing this ability can lead to a reduced sex drive for fear of not being able to get hard or adequately perform.  

How Can You Boost Your Libido?

Boosting your libido is possible, but determining the cause of your loss in sexual desire is the first step in doing so. 

Switch your meds

If low libido is the result of taking certain medications like those listed above, then changing your dose or moving to alternative treatments with the help of a doctor might resolve the issue. 

If it's caused by underlying medical conditions like high blood pressure, your practitioner can work with you to find a medication that can still help, while ameliorating these symptoms. 

Lifestyle changes

Eat healthier

Eating a healthy diet rich in various nutrients is essential for overall well-being, including hormone balance and libido. Certain fruits and foods have been linked to potential benefits for testosterone production and libido. Here are some examples:

Fruits:

• Berries: Berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that support overall health and can help boost testosterone levels.

• Bananas: Bananas are a good source of potassium, which is essential for muscle function and nerve impulses, potentially benefiting overall sexual health.

• Pomegranate: Pomegranate juice has been found to increase testosterone levels and improve erectile dysfunction.

Foods:

• Oysters: Oysters are rich in zinc, a mineral essential for testosterone production and reproductive health.

• Eggs: Eggs are a good source of protein, vitamin D, and cholesterol, all of which are important for testosterone production.

• Spinach: Spinach is high in magnesium, which may help boost testosterone levels and improve muscle function.

• Almonds: Almonds are a good source of healthy fats, protein, and zinc, all of which can support testosterone production.

Exercise regularly

Regular exercise has been shown to have many benefits for overall health, including potentially boosting testosterone levels. Exercise can help maintain a healthy weight or promote weight loss, which is important for testosterone levels as excess body fat – especially around the abdomen – can contribute to lower testosterone levels. 

Additionally, resistance training and weight-bearing exercises can help build muscle mass and strength, which may have a positive impact on testosterone production by increasing muscle mass. Exercise can also help regulate hormone levels in the body, including testosterone, especially with high-intensity or endurance workouts that stimulate hormone release. 

Improved blood flow and circulation from exercise can support healthy testosterone production by benefiting blood flow to the testes. 

Reducing stress through regular exercise can lower stress hormones like cortisol, which can support healthy testosterone levels. It's important to find a balance in exercise routines and avoid overtraining, as excessive or intense workouts can have a negative impact on hormone levels. 

Practice stress reduction

Practicing stress reduction techniques is crucial for overall health and well-being, including maintaining healthy testosterone levels. 

Chronic stress and elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol can have a negative impact on hormone balance, including testosterone production. 

Here are some examples of stress reduction techniques that can help lower stress levels and support healthy testosterone production:

• Meditation: Mindfulness meditation involves focusing on the present moment and clearing the mind of distractions, which can help reduce stress and anxiety.

• Deep breathing exercises: Techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing, box breathing, or progressive muscle relaxation can help calm the nervous system and reduce stress.

• Yoga: Practicing yoga combines physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.

• Mindfulness: Being present and fully engaged in daily activities, such as eating, walking, or working, can help reduce stress and enhance mental clarity.

• Engaging in hobbies: Pursuing activities that bring joy and relaxation, such as painting, gardening, reading, or listening to music, can help alleviate stress and promote a sense of well-being.

• Spending time in nature: Connecting with nature, whether it's going for a hike, spending time at the beach, or simply taking a walk in a park, can have a calming effect and reduce stress levels.

How Can You Boost Testosterone?

If the root cause of your decreased libido is related to a drop in your testosterone production, resolution may require more than lifestyle changes.

Testosterone boosting medications

Medications – such as Clomid (clomiphene citrate) – may be prescribed in certain cases to help stimulate the body's natural testosterone production.

Clomid works by blocking estrogen receptors in the brain so that the body produces more follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). These hormones stimulate the testicles to produce more testosterone and improve sperm production.

This rise in natural testosterone production leads to many health benefits in men, and can lead to a higher libido.

Testosterone replacement therapy

One effective treatment for many men is testosterone replacement therapy. 

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) involves introducing external testosterone into the body through medication to supplement or replace the body's natural testosterone production. Testosterone can be administered through injections, topical gels, patches, or pellets. 

When this testosterone enters the bloodstream, it signals the Leydig cells in the testes to reduce endogenous testosterone production. This negative feedback loop helps balance hormonal levels, leading to an increase in circulating testosterone levels within the normal range. TRT aims to alleviate symptoms associated with low testosterone levels – such as low libido – by restoring hormonal balance in the body.

Testosterone supplements

Testosterone can also be boosted with herbal supplements. Herbs such as fenugreek, wild yam root, sarsaparilla, orchic extract are considered natural aphrodisiacs that may enhance sexual desire in men. 

The Rex MD Testosterone Support supplement is an OTC herbal supplement tablet proven to boost testosterone levels. 

How Can Rex MD Help?

If you think that you may be experiencing low levels of testosterone, you may want to consider a blood test and find out if your levels are deficient or abnormal for your age. 

With the Rex MD TestoRx program, you’ll have access to testosterone-boosting medications that will help you feel like yourself again. 

To find out if the program is right for you, just answer a few questions about your symptoms and medical history. Then, you’ll be able to schedule a virtual call with the Rex MD care team.

Your provider will order lab work for you and determine if you’re eligible for TRT or another treatment option based on your testosterone levels. 

Get started today.