Enhancing the libido

Vitamin D is best known for its role in bone health, but you may be surprised to learn that this sunshine vitamin may also be beneficial for sex.

Medication Monitoring

Pills can still be effective, but your doctor may want to check your heart. “It’s very important before dispensing these pills that practitioners make sure that heart buy blue pill function is good,” Dr. Brendza says. The reason: Problems with erections can indicate other problems, such as significant heart disease. Many experts are concerned too many men are being treated for low testosterone.

Indirect mechanism

However, a drop-off in desire can be related to hormones. For erection issues, it can be helpful to get your testosterone checked. “It’s important that your doctor investigate and address the reasons why you have low testosterone, or low sexual desire,” Dr. Brendza says. Sexual issues such as low libido and erectile dysfunction may have an emotional component, so psychological counseling may be an option. “This fat-soluble vitamin may improve testosterone levels and overall sexual function, especially in individuals who are deficient,” says Patricia Bannan, M.S., RDN, author of From Burnout to Balance and founder of Wellness Intelligence.

It’s estimated that up to 40% of Americans aren’t getting enough vitamin D daily, and having low levels of vitamin D is linked with reduced libido in both men and women.,, While research is ongoing, if you’re falling short of meeting your daily needs, taking a vitamin D supplement may help restore energy and drive in the bedroom.

Natural performance boosters

(2018-06-19), Feingold, Kenneth R.; Anawalt, Bradley; Boyce, Alison; Chrousos, George (eds. "Previous, Current, and Future Pharmacotherapy and Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer—A Comprehensive Review". "Transgender adults, gender-affirming hormone therapy and blood pressure: a systematic review". "Sexual dysfunction in selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and potential solutions: A narrative literature review". ^ "What types of drugs have general sexual side effects?".

What Are Sex Drive Pills?

Expert advice from medication to making intimacy a priority Image content: This image is available to view online. Are problems with your erections or low libido putting a damper on your sex life? These issues are fairly common in men over age 50, says psychologist Dana Brendza, PsyD. But this doesn’t mean you can’t work against them. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Patricia Zamora, F.N.P., a family nurse practitioner and sexual wellness clinician, agrees, saying, “I usually start with vitamin D and thyroid support for energy, mood and libido.” She also recommends getting a morning dose of sunlight for a natural boost of vitamin D. Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that may help calm your mind so you can be fully present during intimate moments. “It helps reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels, which may improve sexual desire and performance,” says Bannan. “Oftentimes the issue isn’t blood flow when it comes to sexual function—it’s that your mind is racing.

• Viagra (sildenafil) enhances blood flow to improve erections and libido in men.
• Cialis (tadalafil) increases erectile strength and duration, boosting sex drive.
• Levitra (vardenafil) helps treat erectile dysfunction and may improve libido.
• Spedra (avanafil) quickly improves blood flow, supporting increased desire.
• Testosterone therapy boosts hormone levels, enhancing male sex drive.
• DHEA supplements may increase libido by raising androgen levels.
• Yohimbine is a natural supplement believed to improve erectile function and desire.
• Horny goat weed (Epimedium) is used for improving blood flow and libido.
• Maca root is an herbal supplement reputed to increase sexual desire.
• L-arginine supports nitric oxide production, aiding erections and arousal.
• Ginseng may enhance energy and libido, improving overall sexual function.
• Kangaroo hormone complex combines multiple herbs for male libido enhancement.

You’re thinking about the dishes in the sink, the next day’s to-do list or whether the laundry’s still in the dryer,” adds Zamora.

Magnesium Complex 6-in-1 Supplement with Zinc

Looking to turn up the heat in the bedroom? The answer may be hiding in your supplement cabinet. Many factors can affect your sex drive, from increased stress and changing relationship dynamics to hormonal changes and medications. However, certain supplements may help boost libido and support sexual health—just make sure to talk with a health care provider before trying them. We spoke with health experts to find out the four supplements to consider taking for an increased sex drive, plus other practical tips. She adds that this herb may “help calm your nervous system, so you can slow down and actually feel the pleasure.” Research seems to agree, with studies finding ashwagandha supplements to be effective for reducing stress and anxiety and improving sexual health and function in both men and women.,, Evidence also suggests that the herb may have a promising role in thyroid support, another important part of sexual health, though more studies are needed.

• Hormonal imbalances are a common cause of low libido.
• Blood tests help diagnose hormonal deficiencies.
• Testosterone replacement therapy is a common treatment.
• Proper diagnosis ensures targeted and effective treatment.
• Addressing underlying health conditions improves libido.
• Managing chronic diseases like diabetes benefits sexual health.
• Medication side effects can reduce libido, requiring adjustments.
• Age-related hormone decline often leads to decreased desire.
• Nutritional support can naturally elevate hormone levels.
• Herbal supplements may aid in balancing hormones.
• Lifestyle modifications can mitigate hormonal imbalances.
• Consulting endocrinologists offers specialized care options.

Just keep in mind that ashwagandha isn’t safe for everyone, including those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, have certain medical conditions or are taking certain prescription medications. If you’re lacking stamina in the bedroom, nicotinamide riboside (NR) might give you the energy boost you need. NAD+ is a compound that converts food into energy and supports DNA repair to combat damage from everyday stressors.

8. Other foods

Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. The first step: Talk to your doctor. It’s unlikely your medical practitioner will initiate this conversation so you need to bring up this topic. Here are other tips to enjoy an active sex life long past the age of 50: Prescription pills — Viagra®, Levitra® or Cialis® — are the first-line treatment for erectile dysfunction, and they can be very effective.

A Safer Solution

Your primary care doctor can prescribe them, and so can a urologist. High blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol can cause the vascular problems that lead to trouble with your erections. It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle by exercising and keeping your weight down. Avoiding high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol as well as heart disease may lessen the frequency of erection problems — or at least delay their onset. What if you already have an established condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes? “When it comes to libido and reproductive health, supporting NAD+ is essential for both women and men,” says Aimee Eyvazzadeh, M.D., M.P.H., a board-certified OBGYN and fertility doctor known as The Egg Whisperer.

NAD+ naturally dips as we age, potentially bringing your sex drive down with it. Research suggests that NR supplements may raise NAD+ levels significantly, which may help rev up stamina and desire, though more research is needed.

3. Red ginseng

When this happens, couples can enjoy a healthy intimate relationship well into their 70s and 80s. Sign up for our Health Essentials emails for expert guidance on nutrition, fitness, sleep, skin care and more. Arousal without orgasm can be uncomfortable, but it’s no reason to pressure sexual interactions Some foods are thought to rev up your sex drive, despite lack of scientific evidence If anxiety is keeping you from having the sex life you want, communication, education and therapy can help Anorgasmia is a fairly common concern with a wide range of physical and psychological causes Your sexual history directly influences your physical, mental and erectile dysfunction treatment emotional health in a multitude of ways ‘Safer sex’ means STI prevention, avoiding unintended pregnancies and psychologically safe practices for everyone Medications and therapy can help get your groove back It’s perfectly normal for gas pockets to ‘evacuate’ during the motions of sex These tiny saltwater larvae can get trapped under your swimsuit and trigger an itchy reaction called seabather’s eruption Searching nature for edible items requires training and knowledge to avoid poisonous plants Yes, but you can protect yourself with hats, scarves or even hair sunblock Aging WellAllergiesCancer Care & PreventionChronic PainCold, Flu & Respiratory IllnessesDiabetes & EndocrinologyDigestiveEar, Nose & ThroatEye CareInfectious DiseaseLungOral HealthParentingPregnancy & ChildbirthRecipesRheumatology & ImmunologySenior HealthSex & RelationshipsSleepUrinary & Kidney HealthWeight Loss Rendered: Mon May 25 2026 21:51:40 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) Vitamin D, ashwaghanda, nicotinamide riboside and L-arginine may support an increased sex drive. Don’t rely on pills alone—lifestyle habits, like diet and sleep, matter for better sex, too. Always speak to a health care professional before taking new supplements to ensure they’re safe and align with your needs. Want to get your blood pumping in all the right ways? “L-arginine enhances blood flow by increasing nitric oxide production, beneficial for both arousal and maintaining sexual function,” says Bannan.

Studies suggest that taking L-arginine supplements may enhance arousal and sensitivity in women and improve erectile function in men., Short-term use is generally well-tolerated, though L-arginine supplements may cause gastrointestinal side effects like bloating or nausea.

Further Enhancement of Women’s Libido

“It’s important consider the possibility that a psychological issue could be causing your sexual troubles. Anxiety, depression, life stress and relationship problems can contribute to men’s sexual difficulties. In these cases, counseling may be helpful,” Dr. Brendza says. Talk to your partner if your sex drives are mismatched.

Low libido in men

It’s common for couples to have mismatched sex drives. If that’s the case, couples need to speak frankly about what is important to them sexually and try to come to a compromise to meet both of their needs. “One partner may want to focus more on intimacy in a sexual relationship, while others may tend to focus more on the erectile aspects of sexual activity,” Dr. Brendza says. Intimacy and pleasure can be experienced in many ways other than intercourse, so you may want to experiment with manual, oral and mechanical forms of stimulation to meet each other’s needs. When shopping for supplements, look for reputable brands that are third-party tested to ensure label accuracy.

Desire Starts in the Brain...

Make an effort to be open to trying something new. In other words, ask your partner what they want — and tell them what you want. As men age, the stress and pressures of everyday life can create a barrier to sex. Dr. Brendza says it’s important that couples set aside time to nurture the relationship and foster ongoing intimacy, even if the methods change over time. Unless recommended otherwise by a health care professional, Bannan recommends starting “with the lowest possible dose to assess your body’s response.” It’s also important to talk with a health care provider before taking any new supplements, especially if you have an underlying health condition or are taking medications, to ensure the product is safe and aligns with your health needs.