Low sex drive (libido) can be said to be an absence or deficiency of sexual fantasy and desire for sexual activity. This is also referred to as the biological need for sexual activity and is expressed in frequently as libido. The intensity of libido is highly variable between individuals as well as within an individual over a given period of time.

The drive is associated primarily with androgens (testosterone) and related brain pathways effecting motivation in both sexes. Male sex drive is stimulated to a greater degree by visual stimuli than the female sex drive. Women are more sexually aroused by romantic words, images, and themes in films and stories.

There is an obvious connection between the mental health of an individual and his sexuality because a man is more likely to be and feel sexier when he is feeling good about life in general. Therefore, libido as a topic cannot be considered in isolation because a lot of inputs come together to generate the degree of libido a man possesses – the more stable and happier the man, the more libido.

The overall health of the body and state of mind are therefore inputs that greatly affect sex drive. Anxiety, deep anger and depression, and other little psychological ills that befall people from time to time all take their toll on a man’s libido. Categorically speaking, Libido is just simply a reflection of how you feel about yourself, as well as how you feel about sex. You cannot separate yourself from the sex and vice versa.

As men age, it is natural for their libido to gradually decline but equally there are certain factors that could also cause men to experience a low or total lack of desire to have sex. There are a number of causal factors that can actually affect’s one libido and these may either be psychological, physical unfitness, lifestyle and even medical problems.

Psychological problem like stress, depression, relationship conflict, negative or traumatic sexual experiences, wok pressure, tension, hypertension and even lack of sleep can play very detrimental roles in diminishing one’s libido. Often times, treatment for depression, anxiety, and other conditions includes medications that have side effects that include the further dampening of libido.

The use of tranquilizers and drugs for the treatment of high blood pressure can also result in the loss of libido in men. Illegal drug abuse would also result in loss of sex drive. Equally a number of medical conditions and ailments like thyroid disorders, tumours, cardiovascular disorder, high blood pressure and diabetes are great deflators of libido.

A sedentary lifestyle, obsessive and excessive smoking and drinking habits, use of recreational drugs, and obesity are far greater treats to libido than once thought. Therefore there is a need to quit any of these libido inhibiting lifestyles before one can really boost his libido. Regular and consistent exercise should be embarked upon to help maintain a proper weight and improve sexual performance.

Also there is need to watch your diet. You can increase your intake of fresh vegetables that are rich in Vitamin A and E like carrots and cucumber, and also some food sources that are considered as sex enhancers such as oysters, chicken, beef, fish, garlic, ginger, and eggs. Also an increase in the intake of milk and milk products will help in boosting your overall libido.

However, refined carbohydrates, sugar, processed and fast foods and caffeine can trigger mood swings, irritability, and anxiety and should therefore be avoided as they tend to decrease libido. Also to be avoided are saturated and Trans fats (red meat, high-fat dairy, deep-fried and processed foods) which can impair blood vessel health.

Therefore, when considering boosting one’s libido, it should be realised that it is not just the supplements that you intend taking that will guarantee that your sex drive is driven to an all new high. You have to sort out the other factors mentioned above that play significant roles in either increasing or diminishing libido.

However, with all the changes effected as mentioned above, they alone may not necessarily be able to effectively increase your libido in order to overcome your lack of sexual desire. This is basically why supplements of all varieties exist to aid in the supply of sufficient quantities of most of the essential nutrients our body needs to function properly.

When looking out for a natural male sexual supplement, you should realise that most of the solutions do not work because they basically focus on the production of testosterone alone which in most cases according to research is not lacking in men who have low sex drive. Instead you should be on the outlook for supplements that have a good quantity of and are rich in the following four supplements for an overall male sexual wellness and an increase in libido.

L-Arginine – Nature’s Viagra

L-Arginine is also a major source of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a vasodilator, a substance that increases the size of blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more freely through the body. It is this function as a vasodilator that makes it most effective in increasing male libido as it relaxes the muscles of the penis and stimulates blood flow for stronger, harder, and longer erection.

L-Arginine is in fact regarded as a precursor to Nitric Oxide as it stimulates the release of Nitric Oxide from the walls of the blood vessels, thus improving circulation. There is need for efficient blood circulation in the body and more importantly to the genitals in order for an erection to be attained and maintained.

Ginseng

Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) is one of the most widely used and acclaimed herbs in the world. The word panax is formed from Greek roots meaning “cure-all” and Panax ginseng has long been considered to be one of the great healing and strengthening herbs in natural medicine.

Ginseng is classified as an adaptogen, which is a substance that helps the body adapt to stress and balance itself without causing major side effects. It has also been shown to have antioxidant effects, increase immune system activity, and also Korean ginseng has been used in Chinese medicine to treat asthma, digestive weakness and erectile dysfunction. Korean ginseng generally increases physical and mental energy.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba, a plant, has a long history of use. Ginkgo has undergone extensive research for a variety of health conditions. It is an antioxidant, improves blood circulation by dilating blood vessels, and reduces the stickiness of blood platelets.

It also increases blood flow to the brain and sexual organs (improves sexual sensation); has been shown to alleviate sexual problems caused by antidepressant drugs, such as low libido, arousal, and orgasm. It may also help treat heart disease, strokes, impotence due to poor blood flow, and diabetes-related nerve damage.

Horny Goat Weed

The herb, which dilates blood vessels, has been used as a reproductive system tonic to treat impotence and premature ejaculation and also as a rejuvenating tonic, as an aphrodisiac to relieve fatigue.

It is the dopamine in Horny Goat Weed that may be responsible for the herb’s use as a reproductive tonic. The increased dopamine levels in the body set off a chain reaction that leads to a release of testosterone, the male sex hormone. Also other evidence suggests the herb increases sensitivity in nerve endings, which may explain why it is prescribed as an aphrodisiac.

There are a lot of male sexual supplements that can help increase and maintain one’s libido and when considering a supplement one should look out for the above ingredients in the makeup of the supplement as the component used in the formulation are very important. Mostly importantly you should ensure that they are clinically approved and can be recommended by your doctor.