Is it possible to boost arousal and desire with a libido supplement? We tested them to find out.
There are many factors that can cause sex drive – or libido – to fluctuate in women. Hormones, menopause, stress, lack of sleep, a busy lifestyle are all just some of the contributory factors that can ultimately result in sexual desire taking a nosedive.
There’s nothing to say you have to be having sex with your partner on a regular basis – some couples create intimacy in other ways but for many of us, sex is important, whether that’s penetrative sex or pleasuring each other in different ways. What if the mood never takes you, but you still have love and attraction to your partner? Can a libido supplement help?
I’m 44 now, and I don’t think my story is all that different to most women in their 40s and 50s, to be honest. Hormonal fluctuations signalling the start of perimenopause has meant my libido – which has always been quite high – has dropped quite significantly. That’s not to say I don’t find my partner attractive, and that in itself is quite upsetting; I want to be in the mood, but I just can’t always get there. So, I’ve been eager to write this article looking at libido supplements and whether or not they can really help.
Best libido supplements for women
How we tested libido supplements for women
The following libido supplements for women have all been tested by females age 40 plus. Each tester has given their honest feedback, and we are not paid to promote these products in any way.
Remember, everyone is different, and our personal experience with one product may not be reflective of how it will affect someone else. If you are in any doubt over whether a libido supplement may be suitable for you, please consult your GP before taking one.
Below, we’ve rounded up the best libido supplements for women that we’ve tested. I also spoke to Miranda Christophers, Sex and Relationship Psychotherapist for Menopause Platform www.issviva.co.uk about why women’s libido may be affected as we age. You can read her answers, below.
The best libido supplements for women
HANX Libido Lift has been specially formulated for women, and is suitable for vegans. You dissolve one sachet in water and either consume 1-2 sachets per day, or drink 1-2 hours before having sex.
It contains all natural ingredients: vitamin B6, Maca Root, Tribulus Terrestris (a herbal plant thought to increase sex drive), and L-Arginine - an amino acid which helps blood vessels to open.
Our testers verdict (female, 43, with a 3 and 1 year old child): It works! I don't really know what else to say except thank you, and it works! I've got a small baby and I'm perimenopausal. Most of the time, if my partner comes near me, I'm too tired. If I am in the mood, we get interrupted. I took Hanx one evening at about 8pm, assuming nothing would happen. However, I was pleasantly surprised. There's no immediate rush, nothing happens, although I did get very flushed (that might be perimenopause or my blood vessels opening up, who knows?).
It's hard to explain, but I just felt really open to being touched - something I haven't felt in so long. I don't know if it's because we both knew we were going to have sex, but it just felt really intimate and relaxed in a way that it hasn't since probably the time our baby was conceived.
I took it again a few days later and again we had fantastic sex. I did struggle when we had sex after my period, but that was from dryness. I was a little disappointed because it wasn't a lack of desire, just soreness that stopped us.
I've tried taking Hanx daily for 5 days, which may not be long enough to see if it really has a lasting effect, but I think I'll revert back to taking it on the days we want to be intimate. It's easy to take, doesn't taste great but I down it in one, and I'd definitely keep using it.
Pros
- It really works
- Easy to take
Cons
- Our tester wasn't so keen on the taste
All natural, Blooming Blends is said to "help you reconnect with your sensual self." You take 15 drops (around half a pipette) under the tongue, up to 3 times a day.
It contains rose petal, Alfalfa, ashwagandha, Siberian ginseng, damiana leaf, and shatavari.
Our tester's review (female, 56, in a new relationship): I really enjoyed testing this! When I was told it's normally around £26, I thought that was a lot of money. However, you use less than half a pipette every time, so it lasts a long time. Taste-wise, I quite liked it, but my adult daughter said it was merely ok. It wasn't as bad as we thought it would be.
I found it really difficult to remember to take it 3 times a day - most of the time it was more like once or twice. I wouldn't say it made me feel sexy, necessarily, but I would say that it made me feel less inhibited. I'm in a new relationship after a long time and I've got a lot of body hang ups that I didn't have before. The drops boosted my mood and energy levels, making me feel much more comfortable in bed.
Pros
- A little goes a long way, making it great value for money
- Pleasant taste
- Easy to take
Cons
- Our tester felt a once a day dose would be better
Novomins say these all-natural gummies help support hormonal regulation, energy levels, immune system and tiredness. They contain Vitamin B6, Maca root, fenugreek, green tea, ashwagandha, L-Arginine, Damiana, and Tribulus Terrestris.
Our tester's verdict (female, 44, 3 teenagers, busy lifestyle): I wasn't expecting much from these, I'll be honest, however, they've been great at boosting my energy! Like, I've really noticed a massive difference. I've taken them for over 3 weeks straight and I feel so much better. My sleep is better quality because I go to bed tired, and I don't seem to have that afternoon slump.
As for my libido, well, I think it's improved because I feel so much better in myself. I actually have the time and energy for sex now instead of preferring a nap! I've found that the mornings are the best time for me, when the teenagers are sound asleep rather than at night when they're clattering about. But early morning when I wake up and my partner is there next to me, I am raring to go!
My only annoyance with these (and it really is only small), is that they're super chewy so get stuck in my teeth!
Pros
- Easy to take
- Boosts energy
Cons
- Very chewy - taste nice but get stuck on the teeth!
Best intimacy support
Yours Health and Her are renowned for quality products, and these intimacy capsules are designed to regulate hormones, help vaginal health, and improve sexual desire. They contain Vitamins B6, B2, and C, as well as magnesium, Maca root and Tribulus.
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Our tester's verdict (female, 51, very low libido)**: I didn't think much could help my libido, and I think that's still the case! However, these tablets do help other things, and I can see that would contribute to a higher level of desire if I wasn't right in the middle of menopause.
They did help my vaginal health - I've been getting unbearable itching and that has subsided quite a lot. Not gone completely but definitely a noticeable difference. My sleep has also improved and IO think that's the magnesium. They're quite big to swallow but ok, and I take them first thing in the morning.
Pros
- Supports vaginal health
- Easy to take capsules
Cons
- No real change to libido
You might also try...
If your vaginal health is affecting your libido - for example, due to dryness or a weak pelvic floor, you could try a pelvic floor trainer to help. Our tester loved the Joylux from Issviva:
The Joylux vaginal rejuvenation device, from Issviva, claims to offer 91% less dryness, 95% more tightness, 90% better bladder control, and 89% less pain with intercourse. All these issues are very common in perimenopausal women, or those post-menopause too. Bladder weakness is a particular concern.
The device works by using light technology, vibration and heat to stimulate collagen and elastin production, as well as stimulating blood flow to the area.
Our tester is a 40 year old mum of 4 - her children range from 16 years to 2, and she has been noticing incontinence issues since the birth of her last baby. She is also noticing an increase in vaginal dryness and would like to improve tone.
Our review: "The packaging and product were really nicely presented, and it was very easy to set up. The quick start guide was brilliant but you also had the instruction manual before hand to read through the finer details and refer back to if needed.
It was comfy to use so no issues there, which was good. My only surprise was it got quite warm!
I’ve been using it every day for 10 minutes. After the first week I felt the muscles being tighter whilst in use, and after two weeks of use I did feel an improvement particularly if I needed the toilet desperately, I felt I was holding everything in much better.
I will definitely keep using this product as I believe long term use will give the greatest improvement."
Pros
- Quick results
- Easy to use
Cons
- Expensive, but we think it's a worthwhile investment
Q&A with Sex and Relationship Psychotherapist Miranda Christophers
Why is my libido so low?
“As we age, people may notice there are changes in their levels of desire. The key thing to remember is that people have different levels of desire throughout their life, irrelevant of their gender or stage of life,” Miranda says.
“However, during menopause, people often notice they have a decrease in libido. Often this impacts their relationship, and it can negatively affect how they’re feeling about them themselves, because sex and intimacy is an important part of their lives.
If they're feeling like they don't have the desire for sex, they may find it interrupts their connection with their partner or partners. They may be feeling like they're missing out on pleasure. They may also be finding changes in arousal; often women find it harder to get aroused as they age, and in order to become aroused, they might a different need a different type or stronger form of stimulation in order to reach orgasm.
Also, menopause has a physical effect on your vagina. It will probably become drier and be more sensitive, so you might experience painful sex. It’s important to admit and recognise that, because once you have, you can tackle the issue.”
What is a normal sex drive for a woman in her forties and beyond?
“There is no such thing as a normal sex drive for women as we’re all different,” Miranda points out. “People may find they enjoy sex at different times of the day."
Benefits of sexual activity in the morning may include feeling fresh and awake; starting the day with pleasure and feel-good chemicals including endorphins, oxytocin and dopamine which may positively correlate with mood, motivation and a sense of connection.
Midday sex can be good as it allows time for people to get through work/ chores or other commitments before intimacy and it can be planned around lunchtime when they may stop other tasks for a brief downtime, before carrying on with the rest of the day.
When talking about desire and sex, people can often feel that it's harder to experience desire or interest when they have other things that they need to do. Finding a time when there is privacy, and you can enjoy some timeout from the day can be very pleasurable.
For some, it may also feel more exciting to mix things up, snatch some time for pleasure or 'you time', and connect with some of the feelings or ways you may have enjoyed intimacy and sex from an earlier point in time. As sex releases feel-good chemicals, benefits may include the effects continuing the rest of the day.
Many people enjoy bedtime sex as they feel they are in an intimate setting, able to prepare, wind down and relax such as having a bath or connecting through the evening, and there may be less distractions - such as tasks and work out of the way until tomorrow. This is again helpful when considering context for desire and enjoyment of sex which can be helpful when people have noticed changes in libido.
It may be a time for connection after a busy day, less rushed sex, a time when there is nothing to do but sleep afterwards. A benefit of it can be that you can sleep following it, and some find that sexual activity helps them sleep due to the release of chemicals that can make you sleepy.
Holidays can be an ideal time to schedule sex as there is time to plan and anticipate downtime, relaxation and pleasure. It can be an opportunity to think more about what you want and enjoy, and an opportunity for time to relax and explore intimacy and sex.”
Is there a natural way to increase my libido? Can a libido supplement help?
“First thing’s first, seek support and seek medical advice if you’re struggling with libido. Find a local menopause clinic, find out what's out there in terms of support – maybe HRT, although it’s not suitable for everybody.
Ask the menopause specialists whether there are vitamins and supplements that you may be able to take that may actually make a difference to you. Also think about introducing exercise if you don’t already. It can make a difference in terms of how you're feeling mood wise and physically can make a big difference.
In terms of sexual desire, we should consider how you're seeing yourself in terms of your body image, because obviously that can play a big part in suppressing desire. How did you used to see yourself in the past as a sexual being? What helped to create desire previously? Are there particular things that happen or that make you feel good about yourself and pique that interest in sexual intimacy or desire? Think about what you enjoy now, and it might be about exploring new things.
Pain during sex is an unfortunate symptom of the menopause. You might want to talk to your partner about this. Ask yourselves as a couple, does it need to be penetrative sex, could we try changing positions? Have you explored maybe using sex toys or something that might focus perhaps on the clitoral area and doing things differently?
Scheduling time for intimacy can help people to think about the context in which they enjoy intimacy and sex, which may increase pleasure or desire. This may be particularly helpful if people notice a dip in libido or changes in desire such as can be experienced during menopause, as it allows time for preparation for pleasurable intimacy, such as getting lubricants or thinking about how they enjoy sexual intimacy.”
Miranda Christophers is a Sex and Relationship Psychotherapist with menopause platform, Issviva.
Becky Fuller is a senior digital writer for Yours.co.uk. She is also a fully qualified personal trainer and strength coach, specialising in fitness and wellbeing for over 50s. Prior to joining Yours, Becky was a fitness writer for Saga, and a freelance entertainment and theatre journalist. Becky is passionate about helping people to move well and discover the many benefits of strength training.