Your Changing Libido - The Male Perspective

If you find yourself a little less interested in sex now that you're getting older, don't despair! It's not just you - and it's not something that you are destined to have to live with forever. The male libido is linked to age, as is the female libido, and there is a natural drop in sexual interest as we age.

Why the Libido Drops

Testosterone is the male hormone that is critical for the male sex drive, and it decreases as we get older. In addition, the chemical nitric oxide, which is essential for erections, also decreases. Circulation also decreases as we age, and this means that less blood is pumping to the extremities of the genitals, creating less feeling of sexual desire and drive. Add these to your fatigue and loss of energy as you age, and you've got a person whose libido is dropping!

How to Save the Libido

First of all, make sure that you are taking care of yourself as well as possible. Alcohol, smoking and recreational drugs are all libido-killers. Either cut down on these or give them up completely. Next, examine your diet and make sure that you are making healthy choices for yourself. Your diet should be low in processed foods and high in fruit, vegetables, lean meats or fish and other good choices. Make sure that you exercise regularly to raise your heart rate each day. While you don't need to kill yourself, you do need to take a brisk walk or go for a swim. Find an exercise that you enjoy and that you feel you could sustain.

Herbs for the Libido

There are a number of herbs that have been proven to increase testosterone levels in the body. These include Epimedium Grandiflorum or Horny Goat Weed, Mucuna Pruriens and Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longfolia). To increase the nitric oxide, you can try Horny Goat Weed or Cnidium, another Chinese herb. If you feel low on energy, you can try a number of herbs for a pick-me-up. These include Ginseng, Ginkgo Biloba and Horny Goat Weed. All of these will enhance mood and help to rid you of stress and fatigue. Another choice is Tribulus Terrestris which is used by many serious athletes. It adds energy and stamina.

Taking the Time

Certainly, you may also want to examine your social life and your interactions with your partner. We often fall into patterns in our lives and we expect those patterns to remain. Just because you've been having sex only once a week - or once a month - for the last number of years, doesn't mean that you have to continue in this pattern. Perhaps you can spice up your love life in simple ways by paying more attention to your relationship. Go on a small vacation together so that you can get away from work and other distractions. Try to say one nice thing each morning to your partner and each night before you go to bed. Turn off the t.v. at night and find an activity that the two of you can do together. Concentrating on your relationship can often lead to an enhanced libido and a desire to be together more.

Seeking Help

Certainly, there are situations where herbs and communication will not be enough to enhance your libido. Seek help from a medical professional if you believe that you might need drugs to help you further. Your doctor will do an exam and will help you to obtain the goals that you have for yourself and for your sex life.