How To Increase Libido: 7 Ways To Boost Sex Drive

It’s normal for your sex drive to ebb and flow over time, but if you’re never in the mood for sex, you might be wondering what you can do about it. Just as there are many reasons behind why people may experience low libido—from aging and fluctuating hormone levels to chronic stress—there are a number of ways to improve your sex drive.

One small study of heterosexual women found a link between body dissatisfaction and impaired sexual desire. Exercise is also helpful for low desire that is rooted in body image, says Jenn Kennedy, Ph.D., a board-certified sex therapist and founder of The Pleasure Project and Riviera Therapy in Santa Barbara, California. That’s because movement helps elevate mood, which can help with desire, she says.

Seeking support for low libido is never a bad idea, says Dr. Kennedy. A medical health care provider can screen for biological issues involving blood pressure, thyroid and hormones, she says. And whether the cause is medical, a sex therapist can help unpack issues including when low sex drive happens, whether there’s been a shift in functioning and interventions to address it, says Dr. Kennedy.