Psychological Factors Affecting Women's Sexual Interest

Prescription medications like flibanserin (Addyi) and bremelanotide (Vyleesi) are FDA approved to help treat low libido in premenopausal women. Hormone therapy may also help menopause symptoms like hot flashes, poor sleep, or vaginal dryness.

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But again, the researchers pointed to a lack of strong evidence. Safety notes: L-arginine may cause bloating, stomach discomfort, or diarrhea. It can affect blood pressure and circulation, so it’s especially important to check with a clinician if you take blood pressure or heart medication. There’s an endless number of “libido boosters" and "libido enhancers" for women out there, but these terms don't have a clear medical definition and quality can vary. And be skeptical of big promises—such as claims to balance hormones, boost testosterone, or work like “female Viagra.” Instead, look for a research-backed supplement with transparent dosing and third-party testing (which helps confirm that a supplement contains the ingredients on the label).

What’s Inside Sex Drive For Her?

Your libido can fluctuate over time—and that’s completely normal. But if changes feel sudden, cause pain during sex, or take a toll on your relationship or well-being, it's worth mentioning them to a clinician (like one of Midi’s experts), who can: rule out underlying conditions—such as thyroid disorders, depression, or anemia—that can affect sex drive discuss symptoms like vaginal dryness or hot flashes that may be related to hormone changes during perimenopause or menopause So if something feels off, you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Several science-backed treatments can help support a healthy libido, and a clinician can walk you through the options. These targeted treatments are sometimes part of a layered plan that includes lifestyle changes and possibly supplements. To treat vaginal dryness, irritation, or pain during sex, local vaginal estrogen—available as a cream, tablet, or ring—delivers a small amount of estrogen directly to vaginal tissue. Some supplements may help support women's libido, particularly when they target issues like stress, low mood, or fatigue delayed ejaculation pills that can get in the way of desire.

The research is promising but still limited, and results can vary.

6. Ginkgo biloba

Both are FDA approved for premenopausal women with persistent low libido (though some clinicians may also prescribe flibanserin off-label for postmenopausal women). These treatments may cause side effects such as nausea and dizziness, and they aren’t suitable for everyone. Your clinician can help you decide whether they’re appropriate for you. Let's be honest, talking about sex can feel uncomfortable sometimes. In one survey of postmenopausal women with vaginal symptoms, nearly 3 in 4 said they had never mentioned them to a doctor.

Sex education and counseling

But that can mean that a common, treatable issue—like vaginal dryness, pain during sex, or low desire—goes unaddressed. Working with a healthcare professional who understands these concerns, like a Midi clinician trained in women’s sexual health, can make the conversation easier. Try writing down your symptoms and a few questions before your appointment. Having a short list can make the conversation feel less awkward. From there, you and your clinician can talk through possible causes and explore treatment options together—no judgment, just next steps. Supplements tend to work best when paired with exercise, sleep, and stress management. Common signs include a noticeable drop in sexual desire that feels bothersome, less motivation to initiate sex, or trouble getting or staying aroused. That said, libido naturally fluctuates and can look different for every woman. No, “natural female Viagra” is mostly a marketing term for supplements that claim to boost libido. Some supplements may support libido by lowering stress, improving mood, or increasing blood flow, but research is limited, and none work as a fast-acting treatment for sexual desire. Flibanserin (Addyi) and bremelanotide (Vyleesi) are two FDA-approved prescription treatments for low sexual desire in premenopausal women. You might hear them described as “female Viagra,” though they work differently.

Treatment Options: What Clinicians Recommend Beyond Supplements

Low libido is common, especially in midlife. Hormone shifts during perimenopause and menopause, along with factors like stress, sleep, and relationship dynamics, can all influence sexual desire. Libido supplements for women might help in some cases, but they’re not a standalone fix. Botanicals may support libido by easing stress or improving mood, but research is limited and results vary. Regular exercise, better sleep, and working toward a strong emotional connection with your partner often have a big impact on libido.

Try Over-the-Counter Solutions for Vaginal Dryness

If low libido is persistent, distressing, or linked to pain, talk with a clinician. Prescription treatments such as vaginal estrogen or HRT may address the underlying cause. There isn't a single way to boost libido, because it depends on what's driving the dip. Options may include lifestyle shifts, prescription medications, supplements, or hormone replacement therapy (HRT). A clinician can help you explore options. Low libido may be discouraging, but it’s very common in women, especially during hormonal shifts like pregnancy, lactation, perimenopause, and menopause.

Even stress and lack of sleep can cause dips in desire, so know you’re not alone.

• Adequate hydration supports overall health and energy, indirectly aiding libido.
• Reducing stress hormones like cortisol can help maintain healthy libido.
• Evening primrose oil may improve vaginal dryness and enhance sexual comfort.

Fortunately, there are several herbs for women’s libido that can help increase desire, support healthy hormones, and even improve satisfaction. Ready to get out of your slump and reclaim your sexy?

Myo Inositol & D Chiro Inositol

Another option is vaginal DHEA (prasterone), a vaginal insert that delivers a hormone that the body can convert into estrogen. Both prescription treatments are designed to help restore moisture, elasticity, and blood flow to vaginal tissue. When low libido shows up alongside menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and fatigue, clinicians may suggest systemic HRT. Often delivered as a pill, patch, gel, or spray, HRT is considered the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms. Testosterone plays an important role in sexual desire, and levels tend to decline with age.

Naturally boost your libido with foods that are aphrodisiac

For some women, low-dose testosterone therapy may help restore desire. It’s not currently approved by the FDA for women in the United States, but doctors sometimes prescribe it off-label, usually as a cream or gel applied to the skin. When hormone therapy isn’t the right fit, non-hormonal prescriptions may be an option. Flibanserin (Addyi) is a daily pill that works on brain chemicals involved in sexual desire and arousal. Bremelanotide (Vyleesi), which targets similar brain pathways, is a shot you inject about 45 minutes before sex. Let’s dive in and explore these five herbs proven to help promote a healthy female libido, plus nutrition and lifestyle practices.

• Aromatherapy with ylang-ylang and rose essential oils can stimulate sexual arousal.
• Herbal teas like chamomile and lavender help reduce stress, which can improve libido.
• Supplements containing L-arginine increase nitric oxide, improving blood flow and desire.

Low libido in women is common and may be caused by various physical, mental, psychological, or emotional factors, including: Certain medications, such as some forms of birth control, antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and others With so many potential causes of low libido, it’s important to talk with your doctor or healthcare professional to rule out any underlying health issues. If you’ve been told or suspect it’s due to a specific issues, such as stress, perimenopause, or hormonal fluctuations, herbs may often help reignite that spark. As you’ve just learned, low libido in women has many potential causal factors. Although herbs are not a one-size-fits all, they can help by supporting various organs and systems associated with a healthy sex drive, including: The nervous system is intimately involved in our perception of and stress response. It also works in conjunction with the gut to produce and regulate various neurotransmitters, including those involved in pleasure, love, and satisfaction, such as dopamine and oxytocin. Most notably, the nervous system plays an essential role in various aspects of sexual function including erection (penile and clitoral), vaginal secretions, and orgasm. Various types of herbs, known as nervines and adaptogens, support normal nervous system function, which can help with multiple aspects of libido and normal sexual function. Your adrenals sit atop the kidneys and are responsible for your fight-or-flight response, including the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Excess stress hormones can cause a chronic state of fight or flight, which disrupts sleep, mental/emotional well-being, and overall hormonal balance—including sex hormones. Stress-relieving herbs, known as adaptogens, nervines, and sedatives, can all support a healthy stress response by affecting adrenal function.

• Estrogen therapy can be considered for women experiencing libido decline due to menopause.
• Adaptogenic herbs like Ashwagandha reduce stress and may improve sexual desire.
• Pelvic floor exercises increase blood flow and sensitivity, boosting libido.

The HPA Axis includes your hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands and is intimately involved in endocrine (hormonal) function, including hormones related to stress, reproduction/sex, sleep, blood sugar, and appetite. Several herbs, including those we’ll discuss below, have been shown to be beneficial for the HPA and HPG axis. It may sound strange, but new research has shown the gut microbiome, or specifically a part of the gut known as the estrobolome greatly influences our sex drive. The estrobolome is the part of your gut that helps you metabolize estrogen via various gut microbes. This helps regulates circulation of estrogen and other reproductive and sex hormones. Many herbs are well-known and studied for their gut health benefits. Research has shown different herbs can act on various hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, cortisol, and others. Some herbs and functional foods, like soy and black cohosh, also contain estrogen-like compounds, known as phytoestrogens, which may influence libido and sexual function. These are just a few examples of the many ways herbs may help promote a healthy libido in women and all genders. Now that you understand some of the causes of low libido in women and how herbs can help, let’s explore five studied herbs for women’s libido. Fenugreek is one of the most well-known herbs for women’s libido and hormonal health.