What are the methods to increase sexual desire (libido)?

From the Guidelines

To increase libido, it is essential to address both physical and psychological factors that affect sexual desire, with a focus on lifestyle changes, hormonal balance, and medical supervision as needed, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1.

Key Recommendations

• Start with lifestyle changes like regular exercise (30 minutes most days), stress reduction techniques (meditation, yoga), and improving sleep quality (7-8 hours nightly) to enhance overall well-being and libido.
• Maintain a balanced diet rich in zinc (oysters, meat, nuts) and vitamin B (whole grains, eggs) to support hormonal health.
• Limit alcohol consumption and avoid smoking to reduce negative impacts on sexual function.
• For relationships, enhance communication with your partner about desires and concerns, and create time for intimacy without pressure to foster a healthy and supportive environment.
• If medications are affecting your libido, consult your doctor about adjustments—common culprits include certain antidepressants (SSRIs), blood pressure medications, and hormonal contraceptives.
• Consider supplements like maca root (1500-3000mg daily) for persistent issues, though evidence is limited, and always under medical supervision.
• Hormonal treatments, such as testosterone therapy for men or estrogen/testosterone for women, may help in cases of deficiency but require medical supervision and careful consideration of potential risks and benefits, as outlined in recent guidelines 1.

Medical Considerations

• For men with diabetes who have symptoms or signs of hypogonadism, such as decreased sexual desire (libido) or activity, or erectile dysfunction, consider screening with a morning serum testosterone level, as recommended by recent standards of care 1.
• Testosterone replacement in men with symptomatic hypogonadism may have benefits including improved sexual function, well-being, muscle mass and strength, and bone density, but should be approached with caution and under medical guidance 1.
• Psychological therapy can address underlying anxiety, depression, or relationship issues affecting desire and should be considered as part of a comprehensive approach to managing libido.

Conclusion Not Applicable

Instead, the focus is on providing actionable recommendations based on the most recent and highest quality evidence available, prioritizing morbidity, mortality, and quality of life outcomes. By following these guidelines and consulting with healthcare professionals as needed, individuals can work towards improving their libido and overall sexual health.

From the FDA Drug Label

ADDYI is indicated for the treatment of premenopausal women with acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), as characterized by low sexual desire that causes marked distress or interpersonal difficulty The efficacy of ADDYI for the treatment of HSDD in premenopausal women was established in three 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (Studies 1,2, and 3). In all three trials, ADDYI resulted in statistically significant improvement compared to placebo in the change from baseline in monthly SSEs at Week 24 In Study 3 there was statistically significant improvement in the change from baseline to Week 24 in sexual desire (using the FSFI Desire Domain) with ADDYI compared to placebo

The methods to increase sexual desire (libido) include:

• Flibanserin (ADDYI): a medication indicated for the treatment of premenopausal women with acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) 2
• Addressing underlying issues: ensuring that low sexual desire is not due to a co-existing medical or psychiatric condition, problems within the relationship, or the effects of a medication or other drug substance 2 Key points:
• Flibanserin is not indicated for the treatment of HSDD in postmenopausal women or in men 2
• Flibanserin is not indicated to enhance sexual performance 2

From the Research

Methods to Increase Sexual Desire (Libido)

• Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has been shown to improve sexual desire in men with hypogonadism 3, 4, 5
• TRT can improve sexual activity, hypogonadal symptoms, and sexual desire, but may not improve erectile function 3
• Novel therapies for male hypogonadism, such as nasal testosterone, new oral testosterone formulations, anabolic-androgenic steroids, and selective androgen receptor modulators, are being developed 6
• Lifestyle modification, reduction of comorbid vascular risk factors, and treatment of organic or psychosexual dysfunction with pharmacotherapy or psychosexual therapy can also help increase sexual desire 7
• Testosterone replacement therapy can have side effects, such as increased risk of polycythemia, benign prostate hypertrophy, prostate cancer, gynecomastia, testicular atrophy, and infertility, which can be mitigated with prophylactic co-therapies 5

Benefits and Risks of Testosterone Replacement Therapy

• Benefits of TRT include improved libido, muscle mass, cognition, and quality of life 4, 5
• Risks of TRT include increased risk of polycythemia, benign prostate hypertrophy, prostate cancer, gynecomastia, testicular atrophy, and infertility 5
• Carefully designed clinical trials are warranted for the investigation of TRT in symptomatic age-related hypogonadism 5

Treatment Options for Erectile Dysfunction

• Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i) such as sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and avanafil can successfully treat erectile dysfunction in 60-65% of men 7
• Patient-administered intracorporal injection therapy using vasodilator drugs such as alprostadil is an effective treatment for men who fail to respond to oral pharmacological agents 7
• Surgical treatment of erectile dysfunction with multicomponent inflatable penile implants is associated with high satisfaction rates 7