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What are the Different Types of Libido Enhancement?

Marisa O'Connor
Marisa O'Connor

Many different types of libido enhancement treatments exist for men and women. Arousal problems can be physical or psychological in nature, and effectively enhancing a person's libido means finding out the underlying cause. Prescription drugs or herbal supplements can help with the physical problems affecting the libido, while stress reduction and open communication with a person's partner can help to overcome psychological problems.

Viagra® is one of the most commonly known types of male libido enhancement. It works by increasing blood flow to the penis and expanding the blood vessels to allow for a more comfortable erection. Viagra® is currently available only for men, but similar prescription drugs have been developed to have a similar affect on female genitalia. These drugs increase blood flow to the vagina to increase vaginal lubrication and sexual stimulation.

Ginseng root has been linked to improved sexual performance.
Ginseng root has been linked to improved sexual performance.

Some herbal supplements are thought to serve as libido enhancement. Common natural herbs used to enhance the female libido include tribulus, wild yam, and anise. Ginseng has been used to improve the male libido for many years and is espoused by modern physiologists Dr. Laura Murphy and James Ferraro. Ginkgo biloba is another herbal supplement used for libido improvement owing to its effect on blood circulation. These natural remedies have been used for many years, but their scientific effectiveness has yet to be proved.

Ginko biloba may dilate blood vessels, improving circulation and possibly improving erections.
Ginko biloba may dilate blood vessels, improving circulation and possibly improving erections.

Stress reduction is one of the most effective methods of libido enhancement for men and women. The effectiveness of this technique is limited to the cause of the sexual dysfunction. If the problem is physical, stress reduction may not be enough to improve libido. Meditation, counseling, and creative projects are all great ways to reduce stress that may be interfering with a person's sex life. When the mind is overly stressed, the body and sex drive both suffer.

Stress reduction is one of the most effective methods of libido enhancement.
Stress reduction is one of the most effective methods of libido enhancement.

Another very effective libido enhancement technique is improving communication with a person's partner. The need to feel emotionally connected during sex is often attributed solely to women, but many men are also, sometimes unknowingly, craving an intimate connection during sex. When a person is having a hard time getting or staying aroused, it can help to talk to his or her partner about thoughts and feelings leading up as well as during sex. If communicating about sex is too uncomfortable, it may indicate that sex itself is also too uncomfortable at this stage of the relationship or for some other reason.

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    • Ginseng root has been linked to improved sexual performance.
      By: Maxim Lavrov
      Ginseng root has been linked to improved sexual performance.
    • Ginko biloba may dilate blood vessels, improving circulation and possibly improving erections.
      By: evgenyb
      Ginko biloba may dilate blood vessels, improving circulation and possibly improving erections.
    • Stress reduction is one of the most effective methods of libido enhancement.
      By: Barbara Helgason
      Stress reduction is one of the most effective methods of libido enhancement.