Women's Intimate Wellness Supplements

WHY SHOULD WOMEN BE CONCERNED WITH INTIMATE HEALTH?

Women's and men's libidos naturally fluctuate over the lifespan. Though intimate desire will ebb and flow for both men and women, statistics tell us that women are more affected than men (roughly 32 to 15% respectively). Beyond clinical intimate dysfunction, high and low libido may be influenced by a range of things including: low testosterone, stress, relationship issues, mood disorders including depression, getting too little or too much exercise, as well as alcohol and drug use. Many prescription medications can also greatly impact libido.

As it pertains specifically to women, lack of intimate desire is commonly tied to major life changes such as pregnancy, lactation, post-partum, the beginning or end of a relationship, as well as illness (her own, that of her partner, or another family member, such as a child or aging parent).

SOME OF THE BEST SUPPLEMENTS FOR WOMEN'S INTIMATE HEALTH (& PLEASURE!) INCLUDE:

Women’s intimate enhancement supplements include both energy and libido-boosting varieties. There are a wide range of supplements that can help enhance libido on the market, but before selecting a product, it's important to figure out if the problem is physical – i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, neurological diseases; hormonal – i.e. pregnancy, lactation, menopause; or psychological – i.e. mental health problems such as anxiety or depression, acute or chronic stress, poor body image, low self-esteem, or even a history of physical or intimate abuse.

• Maca (or Lepidium meyenii) is a plant that has been used by Native Peruvians for thousands of years to increase stamina, libido, and fertility in men and women. Because Maca supports the endocrine glands, it’s also frequently used to balance hormones.
• Horny Goat Weed actually refers to a variety of plant species of the Epimedium genus, that contain chemicals that help increase blood flow and improve intimate function. Horny Goat Weed is widely used for erectile dysfunction but is also considered an intimacy tonic for both men and women. In fact, Horny Goat Weed contains phytoestrogens, that mimic how estrogen works inside the body, so is thought to have an effect on hormone regulation.
• Damiana (or Turnera diffusa) is considered an ancient aphrodisiac and is still very much used in this application today – in both men and women. Damiana is also an adaptogenic herb, so helps with mood enhancement and stress management, as well as improves arousal and blood flow to the genitals thanks to its active constituents: caffeine, arbutin, and flavonoids.
• Ginkgo Biloba is a botanical with anti-coagulant and vasodilating properties, that helps bring blood to where it needs to go (i.e. sexual organs), so supports intimate function.
• Tribulus Terrestris (or Puncture Vine) is a small flowering plant that has long been used to treat intimate dysfunction and enhance libido in both men and women. In fact, studies have shown that Tribulus supplementation enhances several measures of intimate functioning in women and helps improve desire, arousal, satisfaction, lubrication, and pain.
• Mucuna pruriens (or Velvet Bean) is a staple of Ayurvedic medicine and a potent herbal used to enhance intimate wellness in men and women, as well as to increase sperm quality, improve libido, enhance erections, and help maintain hormone balance.
• Eurycoma Longifolia (or Tongkat Ali) root is a botanical that naturally supports blood testosterone levels, which is important for both male and female libido.
• Ashwagandha – an adaptogenic herb that is often recommended to help the body better handle stress. Ashwagandha is also an effective aphrodisiac used to improve intimate desire, pleasure, and performance.
• Korean Ginseng - often referred to as the King of all herbs, helps to improve overall well-being. In addition, it’s also reputed as an effective aphrodisiac, as well as to treat intimate dysfunction in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Always read labels carefully, to make sure you're selecting a product that best matches your needs. Keep in mind as well, that intimate health does not solely concern sexual organs. Talk therapy can be an effective adjunctive approach to uncovering the reason(s) behind a suddenly slowed libido. Also, please note it’s important to discuss the use of any new supplements with your healthcare practitioner if you are currently taking medication for high blood pressure, or anticoagulants.