Boost Your Libido

Is your libido ebbing? Sexologist Dr. Vivek Jain offers a few solutions. Isnt it surprising how, just when we think our libido should be at its peak, it lets us down? (Pun intended!) Why do we experience lulls in our libido? Like women, do men also have some sort of rhythmic highs and lows? And what does one do to counter lack of interest? Libido is defined as the psychic drive of energy, especially that associated with the sexual instinct. A males libido emerges as part of the growth spurt at adolescence, and is an essential component of the emotional maturity one develops at this stage. Sexual longings, self-consciousness and an acute awareness of the opposite sex, replace the docile nature of childhood. With the onset of adolescence, the teenager is flooded with sexual feelings that are difficult to channel. There emerges a curiosity about the sex organs, which is completely natural. Both boys and girls are eager to gain access to sexual literature and any information they can get their hands on. The first sexual intercourse experience usually occurs in early adulthood. It is this first experience, that determines to a large extent, the framework for future sexual behaviour. In the first few years of marriage, sexual activity is often high, and pleasure, intense. Slowly as years go by, often couples stop looking at sex as a pleasure-giving activity, and begin to see it more as a chore. One slowly reaches the stage where it becomes a challenge to have an exciting sex life after a certain number of years. Extraneous and intrinsic factors, such as birth of children, work commitments, non-sexual aspects of marriage, decreased attractiveness due to age or lack of interest in ones own body etc, start exerting influences. How well one vibes with ones partner is another major player. Right from any form of dislike for the partner (body odour, behavioural aspects…) to any major interpersonal conflict, all tell on the libido. Matters of chance such as injuries and fractures, minor illnesses like the common cold or serious illnesses like jaundice and typhoid, not only during the acute phase but also during convalescence, render sexual desire dormant. If either partner suffers from a chronic disorder like diabetes or hypertension (especially if combined with obesity), the couple might as well give mind-blowing sex a goodnight kiss. Then theres the chronic fatigue syndrome, which is commonplace amongst those leading jetsetting lifestyles. Stress, of late, is also a major libido-killing factor. Unknown to the individual, stress it gnaws away at a persons health, immunity, sleep and diet. Addictive interests such as watching too much television, sitting at the computer for hours and hours at a time, also contribute to a decreased libido. Medical causes having a direct bearing on the desire front are depression and schizophrenia as these disorders target the centers in the brain where sexual urges actually take birth. Similarly, many of the pills that one pops at the docs orders could have the lullaby effect. Antihypertensives (atenolol and lisinopril have a proven bad record), antacids and some of the ayurvedic preparations are common culprits. Excessive intake of alcohol over a period of time, and smoking, can also kill the libido. Some surefire ways to increase the libido include: Reduce intake of alcohol. Quit smoking. Exercise. With increased fitness, ones libido gets a boost. Although the sex drive declines with age, the rate and extent of this decline is often exaggerated. In fact, desire and capacity for intercourse are often retained well into old age. When lack of desire itself is a player, one may require professional counseling. However, a detailed self-analysis and introspection is often more than enough to pinpoint the problem and sort it out. Have a frank and a heart to heart with your partner, discuss possible reasons for your decreased desire, and work together at increasing your sexual desire. Dr. Vivek Jain MD (Sexologist) 102 Aushadh Chambers, Sanstha Vasahat, Pratap Road,Raopura BARODA 390001 GUJARAT - INDIA Ph: 0265 2410907