If your libido is low, you’re definitely not alone. Research shows that nearly a third of women lack the desire to have regular sex. But there are things you can do to reboot your sex life; one major lifestyle change that’s been proven effective is exercise.
Studies have shown that women who exercise regularly can become aroused and reach an orgasm faster, and the effects are both physiological and psychological.
In fact, the University of Texas at Austin conducted a study with 47 women who reported sexual arousal problems due to medications. Researchers had the women watch three erotic clips as they measured genital arousal. Before two of the video-watching sessions, the women exercised. The results showed that exercising prior to the erotic clips increased genital arousal and sexual satisfaction.
Is this surprising? Well, the phenomenon can be explained by a couple of reasons.
First, if you exercise regularly, you feel sexier and look better; therefore, higher self-esteem can boost your sex drive.
Second, exercise increases blood flow throughout your body, including to your sexual organs. In theory, this can make sex more pleasurable since sexual arousal for both men and women involves increased blood flow to the genital area. And the improved circulation can increase the desire for sex itself—if it feels great, you’ll want more.
Third, exercise is a great way to decrease stress—the most common “libido killer” in women. Exercise boosts endorphins, lifting your mood and increasing your energy to rev up your sex drive.
Any exercise is helpful, but if you’re looking for the best, here are some tips and tricks to boost your libido from your next workout.
Breathing and stretching
For better sexual drive and satisfaction, practice deep breathing and stretching. In one study, a group of 80 men was divided into two groups: one control, and one exercise intervention. The group of men who took part in 20 sessions of stretching and breathing exercises experienced greater sexual desire and satisfaction.
Kegel exercises
Working out the pelvic muscles is a great way to up the quality of your sex life. Pelvic floor exercises commonly called Kegel exercises, strengthen the muscles of the lower abdomen. These exercises can increase sexual arousal, ability to reach an orgasm and blood circulation to the vagina.
Weightlifting
When we exercise, our body produces a series of hormones: adrenaline, endorphins, testosterone, and more. Strength training skyrockets your levels of testosterone—the hormone responsible for sexual arousal. That means that an increase in testosterone level triggers a higher libido.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2695750/
http://time.com/12090/15-everyday-habits-to-boost-your-libido/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22403029
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23522405
https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/sex-and-love/best-workout-increase-sex-drive
