Not tonight…I’m too stressed, too tired, sound familiar? Post the pandemic, people’s sex lives are still struggling and, contrary to belief, it’s not just those in their 50’s and beyond who are finding their mojo and libido waning, 34 per cent of those in their 20’s! and early 30’s would like to ramp up their sex drive.
A recent survey by ethical vitamin company Viridian Nutrition of over 2000 men and women reveals the things that really get Brits’ libido going and sheds light on what can really put a dampener on our bedroom desires.
The biggest turn on for both sexes is finding someone that makes you laugh with over half, 53 per cent of women saying this was the biggest ‘turn-on’ and 41 per cent of men agreeing.
In second place, respondents said scent can make or break that initial attraction for men and women. Osmology is the science of smell, and smelling good is great way to get us weak at the knees, with almost half of women (49 per cent) saying it was a big turn on for them compared to a third of men.
Kindness matters, this ranks as number three of the big ‘turn-ons’. Over a third of men and almost half of women rank this as important.
Phil Beard, Nutritionist at Viridian, says: “Men experience libido differently to women as many of the barriers are physical as well as mental but the common denominator for both sexes the survey revealed is the impact of stress. 37 per cent of people said that reducing their stress had a positive effect on improving libido. Other physical causes for loss of libido may be nutritional deficiencies and zinc is a key nutrient involved in testosterone production, the primary male sex hormone. This mineral helps maintain optimal levels of testosterone as well as supressing inflammation which is linked to erectile issues and lower libido.”
Over a quarter of men said they are trying to increase their libido and 34 per cent of admitted to turning to medication such as Viagra whereas 35 per cent of women said losing weight to improve their body image was a big factor for them when it came to their libido.
‘Hormone Hell’ is a big issue when it comes to libido and 48 per cent of women said this impacted their sex drive. Aimee Benbow, author of The Menopause Journal and Nutritionist at Viridian, said: “Low libido matters with over a third of women in our survey stating that having no libido impacted their mood and with 40 per cent claiming they felt unsexy and nearly a quarter agreed that it had caused a distance in their relationship with their partner.”
Aimee adds: “A staggering 75% of women aged 40-50 years experienced difficulties enjoying sex but it’s not just menopausal women, it’s affecting one in five women under 20. Younger women who haven’t yet been through the menopause could consider the benefits of ashwagandha and saffron supplementation. For women approaching the menopause and beyond, maca is a natural aphrodisiac and zinc (10mg) is helpful for increasing testosterone. Higher levels of testosterone may lead to improved sexual enjoyment. These findings clearly show both men and women are experiencing the mental and physical impact of low libido. As well as getting specialist support, I recommend going to an independent health store, where staff are nutritionally trained and can advise on diet and lifestyle to target specific causes associated with low libido.”
As well as diet and lifestyle, both sexes are also partial to an attractive body with men steering more towards this with over half, 53 per cent saying it mattered whereas women less, with under a third. Physical fitness was also slightly more important to men (30 per cent) whereas women steered towards thoughtfulness, supportiveness and wanted more emotional stability.
The biggest dial down on libido was anyone who had poor personal hygiene, with over 60 per cent and this was followed by rudeness, arrogance, dishonesty, and women found laziness a big turn off with over half claiming it quenched the sex drive.
A good head of hair went down well and confidence across all the ages groups was a big ’turn-on’ but finding someone who can make you laugh seems to be the winning factor to turning up libido levels. Spending more time together helps both sexes said 23 per cent and a holiday helped boost that ‘summer loving’ with a quarter agreeing it helped with libido. Plus, Brits are still romantic at heart, with 35 per cent saying a few romantic gestures helps to really get the libido levels fired up such as beach walks, coupled with a playful and fun-loving attitude.
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