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December 17, 2022 9 min read

Sex and intimacy can be a critical part of a healthy relationship, but for those suffering from hypothyroidism, it can often be difficult to maintain a healthy sex life. Even with proper treatment, low libido is one of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism, which can have a negative effect on relationships. Fortunately, evening primrose oil has been found to be an effective natural remedy for improving libido and managing other related symptoms.

Here's everything you need to know about libido, evening primrose oil, and sexual health with hypothyroidism.

What exactly is the libido?

The term "libido" is frequently used to refer to a person's sexual desire or sexual drive. Different people can have different levels of libido, with some having a "high" libido and others having a "low" libido. A high libido refers to an increase in desire for sex, while a low libido is a decreased desire for sex. A person's mental state, hormone levels, and brain function can affect their libido.

In light of this, one cannot definitively state what constitutes a "normal" or "healthy" libido. It is only when a person's relationships, sexual function, or overall well-being or quality of life are negatively impacted by a high or low libido that it is regarded as an issue.

Can hypothyroidism affect your sex life?

Are you losing interest in sex, or do you feel like you have a low libido? It might be related to your thyroid. Hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid.

The thyroid is a gland that produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for regulating metabolism. When your thyroid doesn't produce enough hormone, you have hypothyroidism. This causes your metabolism to slow down, so it makes sense one of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism is low libido. It's also strongly associated with male and female sexual dysfunction.

Moreover, hypothyroidism can elevate prolactin hormones, which can contribute to vaginal dryness in women, making sex painful. It's also thought that hypothyroidism may cause imbalances in hormones such as testosterone and estrogen, which can both impact sexual arousal and satisfaction. Low energy levels caused by the condition could also play a role – if you don't have the energy for sex, then you won't be interested either.

Other factors that may contribute to low libido

Aside from hypothyroidism, there are many other things that can lead to low libido. Stress, being in an unhappy relationship, an imbalance in hormones and excessive alcohol intakes are some of the factors that may contribute to sexual dysfunction. Let's take a look at some of the common factors.

  • Hormonal imbalance

An imbalance in cortisol, estrogen, testosterone, and thyroid levels can affect a person's desire to have sexual activity.

Cortisol

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands when you experience stress. When you're under significant stress, your body may release excess cortisol.

estrogen

Estrogen levels drop significantly as women age, especially when they enter menopause, which contributes to a diminished desire to engage in sexual activity.

Testosterone

Testosterone is the main hormone that influences your libido. That's why a low libido can significantly impact your sexual health. This is especially true in men since this hormone is involved in the production of sperm and sexual function. Low testosterone may even lead to erectile dysfunction. Interestingly, a drop in testosterone levels (yes, women do have testosterone) is also linked to menopause, another factor contributing to a loss of sexual desire.

Thyroid

As explained above, hypothyroidism causes a thyroid hormone imbalance in your body. Thus, it can cause low libido.

  • Stress

Stress is one of the most frequent causes of reduced sex desire. As explained above, too much stress can cause your body to produce excess cortisol. It also causes the release of epinephrine. Both cortisol and epinephrine can suppress your testosterone production and eventually lead to sexual dysfunctions.

  • Drugs and other medicines

It is common knowledge that taking particular prescription medications, particularly antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine (also known by its trade name, Prozac), might lessen one's desire to engage in sexual activity.

  • Excessive use of alcoholic beverages and tobacco use

Did you know that smoking and drinking can have an effect not only on a person's sex drive but also on their ability to have sexual relations?

The following are some of the adverse effects that excessive alcohol use in women can have:

  • Dehydration

This causes a reduction in the volume of blood that flows through organs such as the vagina. Lubrication of the vagina is essential for healthy sex because it reduces the danger of abrasions and bruises caused by excessive friction. If there is less blood volume, then the vagina will have less lubrication.

  • Sexual dysfunction

After participating in one or more alcohol-induced sexual encounters, some women lose interest in engaging in sexual activity. The reasons could range from psychological concerns brought on by unplanned or unwanted sexual activity while the person was intoxicated.

  • Delayed orgasms

Delayed orgasms that come later than expected are common for men and women who partake in sexual activity while under alcohol.

  • Psychological issue

Your mental health and psychology can contribute to low libido. Poor body image and low self-esteem, for example, can decrease sexual desire. Other mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression, may also contribute to less interest in sex.

  • High blood pressure

High blood pressure or hypertension can have a negative impact on your sex life. It can lead to erectile dysfunction and a decrease in sex drive.

What is evening primrose oil?

Evening primrose oil (EPO) is an herbal remedy derived from the seeds of a wildflower that grows in North and South America, as well as parts of Europe and Asia. It has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, including skin disorders, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and menopause symptoms. In addition to these uses, EPO has recently gained popularity as an alternative treatment for low libido.

How can evening primrose oil improve libido?

EPO can help increase sex drive in both men and women due to its ability to reduce stress hormones. Moreover, it balances out your estrogen and progesterone levels, which will increase your dopamine levels, and, in turn, will assist you in making more nitric oxide. This is essential for the blood vessels to dilate and the tumescence to develop, which contributes to more powerful and satisfying orgasms.

This effect is attributed to gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), one of the active ingredients found in evening primrose oil. In addition, GLA may also improve overall mood and energy levels which can help relieve sexual dysfunction caused by psychological factors such as depression or anxiety.

What other supplements can you take to improve your libido?

In addition to evening primrose oil, you may want to think about taking the following dietary supplements to boost your libido:

Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral for hormone balance and healthy metabolism; when taken in supplement form, it has been found to improve libido among people with hypothyroidism. Supplementing with zinc increases levels of the hormones testosterone and progesterone; both are key players in sexual desire in men and women alike. Additionally, zinc has antioxidant properties, which help to combat oxidative stress associated with hypothyroidism and its accompanying symptoms while providing essential nutrients for overall sexual health.

Magnesium

Magnesium deficiency can cause a low sex drive. To have a higher sex drive, you need more testosterone to remain "free" in your bloodstream. Magnesium can help with this since it makes it difficult for your testosterone to bind to proteins.

L-arginine

L-arginine is a popular supplement that has been used to treat conditions ranging from cardiovascular health to hypothyroidism. Recent studies have shown that it can also be beneficial for people with low libido and erectile dysfunction, particularly those who are suffering from hypothyroidism.

L-arginine is thought to improve these symptoms by increasing blood flow and nitric oxide production in the body. It may also reduce inflammation caused by autoimmune diseases associated with hypothyroidism, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Additionally, it has been linked to improved fertility in both men and women due to its ability to increase sperm count and motility.

L-histidine

L-histidine is an essential amino acid that has been used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including hypothyroidism symptoms like low libido. This supplement is believed to help promote better sexual drive, especially in women. Most people think of L-arginine as the natural version of Viagra. It's even seen as a much safer alternative to medication for those with high blood pressure.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C has been proven to increase testosterone levels in both men and women, leading to greater sexual interest.

Vitamin B3

The vitamin is essential for reducing feelings of exhaustion and lethargy, which can impact a person's sexual drive.

N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)

N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) is a popular supplement for many health purposes, including sexual problems. NAC enters the bloodstream, increasing the production of nitric oxide (NO), which is responsible for dilating blood vessels. This improved circulation results in better oxygenation and nutrient delivery throughout the body and can improve overall sexual functioning. The increase in NO also helps relax smooth muscle tissue, which can lead to enhanced arousal and improved response during intercourse.

Additionally, NAC acts as an antioxidant that helps protect nerve cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals produced during stress or other activities that can reduce libido levels.

Can men and women use these supplements?

The supplements mentioned above, particularly magnesium and evening primrose oil, are beneficial for most males to the same extent as they are for women.

What other ways can you boost sexual desire?

In addition to the supplements above, there are several other ways you can consider to increase libido and improve male and female sexual function.

Herbs

Rhodiola

Rhodiola helps your brains maintain the function of your adrenal glands by lowering the rate at which dopamine and serotonin are broken down in response to stress. This helps us to feel more energized, which may heighten sexual arousal.

Damiana

The aphrodisiac known as damiana has been used for centuries by the native Mexicans to increase libido and improve sexual performance.

Ginkgo Biloba

Traditionally, ginkgo Biloba was used in Chinese medicine for conditions ranging from urinary tract infections to respiratory problems, including asthma and chronic cough. The leaves are typically dried and used to make tea, with the taste being a focal point. However, the ancient Chinese herb might be best known for its ability to rev up your libido. It may help improve blood flow, affects nitric oxide systems, and relaxes the smooth muscles in the genital area.

Maca

This plant is also called Peruvian ginseng. One study suggests that maca could help postmenopausal women with sexual dysfunction, and herbal medicine has long been linked to a rise in sexual desire.

Eating certain fruits

Research says that watermelon could be a natural form of Viagra. That's because the popular summer fruit has more of an amino acid called citrulline than experts thought. This acid relaxes in the same way that Viagra and other drugs treat erectile dysfunction (ED).

Get enough sleep

Busy people don't always get enough sleep. Plus, busy schedules make sex harder. And if you have hypothyroidism, your ability to get a good night's sleep might be impaired. This can lead to fatigue and affect your desire to have any sexual activity. Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep every night to eliminate fatigue.

Treat your hypothyroidism

If hypothyroidism is the main culprit behind your low libido, you obviously need to manage it by taking hormone replacement medication. There are many options out there, but the most common ones are levothyroxine and natural desiccated thyroid.

Levothyroxine is a synthetic form of thyroxin (T4) that helps regulate metabolism in the body by stimulating energy production. However, it doesn't always work because those with pre-existing thyroid issues may have difficulty converting T4 into active T3 hormones, which are necessary for metabolizing food properly. Natural desiccated thyroid (NDT), on the other hand, contains both T4 and T3. This means that your body doesn't need to convert the medication for it to be useful.

Many people who have tried both levothyroxine and NDT prefer the latter option since it's more effective. Natural desiccated thyroid is available to buy online. One of the best options is VitaliThy, which is an NDT supplement made from a porcine thyroid gland that contains all types of thyroid hormones, including T4, T3, T2, T1, and Calcitonin.

Evening primrose oil, libido, and maintaining a healthy sex life with hypothyroidism

Conclusion

Low libido, or reduced interest in sexual activity, is a common issue among men and women. It can be caused by many different factors, such as stress, relationship issues, psychological issues, and physical health conditions. One of the more serious physical health ailments linked to low libido is hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism occurs when the body's thyroid gland stops producing enough thyroid hormones, which affects metabolism, energy levels, and mood. This can significantly dampen an individual's sex drive as it causes fatigue, depression, and other symptoms that hinder pleasure from sexual activity. Hypothyroidism also impacts hormone production, which can cause testosterone levels to drop in people of both sexes, causing them to lose interest in sex altogether.

The good news is that many methods are available to boost your libido and put the excitement back into your sexual life. One way you can enhance the intensity of your intimate time with your special someone is to try taking evening primrose oil, which has been shown to balance progesterone and estrogen levels.

But of course, if you have hypothyroidism, you need to manage it in order to have a healthy sex life. You can manage your hypothyroidism by taking levothyroxine or NDT, such as VitaliThy.

Wojciech Majda
Wojciech Majda


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