Sexual health workshop- part two

by Dr Sarah Brewer

Several supplements have been shown to have a positive effect on libido. The following three-step programme can help to boost a low sex drive in both men and women

If there is no significant improvement in your sex drive after following a prosexual programme for 12 weeks, you should consult your doctor. Around five per cent of people with loss of sex drive have raised levels of the hormone, prolactin, which needs investigation and treatment.

Three- step programme

Step One: Take a multivitamin and mineral supplement to help correct any nutrient deficiencies that may be linked with reduced physical or sexual energy.

Step Two: Take evening primrose oil to provide essential fatty acids needed for a healthy balance of sex hormones.

Step Three: Select one of the following prosexual supplements below, whichever seems most suited to your needs.

Catuaba is made from the powdered bark of a tree from the Brazilian rainforest known as 'the tree of togetherness'. It acts as a sexual stimulant and promotes erotic dreams and increased sexual desire in both men and women. It is also used to maintain potency and fertility in older males and to help male impotence. Catuaba can be beneficial for those whose low sex drive is linked to overwork or stress, and for men with erectile difficulties.

Damiana, derived from the dried aromatic leaves of a small shrub, gently stimulates desire and increases sensitivity of nerve endings to produce tingling and throbbing sensations in the genitals. It can be beneficial for those whose loss of sex drive is linked to decreased sensitivity and difficulty in achieving arousal.

Muira puama comes from the dried bark and roots of a Brazilian tree popularly known as 'potency wood'. It is believed to increase libido through a direct action on brain chemicals by stimulating nerve endings in the genitals, and may also promote the effects of testosterone hormone. It is helpful for both men and women with low sex drive, and for males with temporary difficulty maintaining an erection.

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Sexual health workshop- part two