“There’s a Connection Between Your Gut Health and Your Sex Life”
What are the most common causes of low libido?
Libido and sexual arousal is, for the most part, grounded on intimacy involving the interaction of several components, including physical trust, belief system emotional well-being, previous experiences, self-esteem, physical attraction, lifestyle and current relationship.
In addition, a wide range of illnesses, such as thyroid disease, arthritis, diabetes, neurological disorders, hormonal changes and physical changes, such as High blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, menopause in women, andropause in men and pain during intercourse can cause low sex drive and/or inability to reach an orgasm. Medications, prescribed or over the counter, can also kill one’s libido.
What’s one cause that’s really surprising? Great Sex too starts in Your gut!
“All disease begins in the gut.” Hippocrates
Although most us do not necessarily think of our intestines or bad gut bacteria when we think of possible causes of low libido, an imbalance of Gut bacteria (microbiome) is more often than not, a significant cause of decreased sexual arousal. This is in addition to the more commonly known GI related causes, such as bloating, gas, acid reflux, bad breath, diarrhea, etc. In fact, because the gut contains billions of bacteria, the gastrointestinal tract, also known as the gut system, plays a major physical factor that has many unexpected effects on our ability to respond and perform sexually. You should think about this before ordering generic cialis. The truth is that “gut bacteria is to our digestion and metabolism what a beehive is to honey”: Good working hive = great honey; well balanced gut bacteria = optimized gastrointestinal function and better sex! Gut bacteria are also responsible for producing hormones, enzymes, and neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which are essential for sexual health.
And then there is lifestyle…. although a glass of wine can get both men and women in the “mood” for sex, too much alcohol can actually have the opposite effect and not only kill your libido, but make you sleep, which can be devastating to intimacy.
10 Reasons Why you may not have a healthy gut?
- Bad diet (sugar and processed food based diet)
- Digestive Health: Unbalanced gut bacteria and lack of good probiotics
- Overuse antibiotics and other medications
- Sedentary life style
- Disease, including autoimmune.
- Mental Health and Mood.
- Low/ unbalanced Hormone.
- Vaginal Health/prostate issues
- Weight proportionate to height issues
- Decreased physical, mental and emotional energy
5 initial Steps to Take to Have Better Sex
- Balance your gut health,
- Eat a healthy diet and moderate your alcohol intake
- Exercise more often
- Do you inventory of your relationship: Are you really happy or just pretending that you are?
- Work on your self-esteem and body image, if applicable.
5 Ways how your partner can help you get there:
- Love you unconditionally
- Help you feel that intimacy is more than just having sex
- Encourage you to make the changes outlined here – free of judgment, and instead assuring you that yes, you can.
- Be the change that he/she expects of you
- Not make sex so serious… have fun with it.
Other 10 possible causes of low libido:
- Mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression
- Stress, such as financial stress or work stress
- Poor body image
- Low self-esteem
- History of physical or sexual abuse
- Previous negative sexual experiences
- Lack of connection with the partner
- Unresolved conflicts or fights
- Poor communication of sexual needs and preferences
- Infidelity or breach of trust
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Dr. Edison de Mello is the founder of the Akasha Center for Integrative Medicine, you can make an appointment with him by emailing us or calling 310 451 8880
