Sexual health, according to the WHO definition, is a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction, or infirmity. Sexual health is not always about desires and pleasures. It may be true for males, but for females, it is not the same. Sexual health for females is also a way of overall physiological well-being.

Libido, also known as sex drive or the desire for sex, varies dramatically from individual to individual. It varies depending on a person’s needs, preferences, and life circumstances. Libido may be influenced and decreased by various medical conditions, hormonal imbalance, certain medications, poor lifestyle, and relationship problems.

Male sexual health and libido enhancement focuses on increasing the levels of androgens and testosterone, increasing the levels of dopamine and serotonin, enhancing nitric oxide production for improved blood flow, stimulating androgen receptors, and increasing erectile function. Supplements that improve male sexual health include:

  • D-Aspartic Acid (DAA): D-aspartic acid directly affects Leydig’s cells of the testes, causing increased testosterone production and secretion. It also stimulates the pituitary gland to release the Gonadotropin hormone to stimulate testosterone secretion.

  • Tribulus Terrestris: TT is mainly taken as a testosterone booster, which may be a treatment to improve androgenic status in cases of male hypogonadism. Overall, it increases testosterone production and enhances libido.

  • Fenugreek: fenugreek (also known as Trigonella foenum-groecum L.) is a plant species native to India and North Africa. This plant contains furostanolic saponins that have been shown to increase testosterone production. Several studies have shown that consumption of the fenugreek plant or even supplements helps improve testosterone levels and symptoms associated with low testosterone, such as low libido.

  • Ginseng: ginseng is often referred to as the King of all herbs and is found to be a promising agent to improve the overall well-being of an individual. Ginseng is used in traditional Chinese medical practices as an aphrodisiac and is used to treat sexual dysfunction as well as to enhance sexual behavior. It is shown to have a positive effect in increasing the libido and intercourse performance of men. It is found to improve the sperm quality and quantity, making it relevant to be used in the infertility treatment of men.

  • Maca: the Peruvian maca plant (Lepidium meyenii) is a cruciferous vegetable native to the Andes Mountains of Peru and improves overall sexual and reproductive health, including increased libido and enhanced fertility.

  • Horny goat weed: horny goat weed refers to various herb species of the Epimedium genus, and may be known as "yin yang huo." Horny goat weed contains certain compounds that are not well discovered but that might help increase blood flow in the whole body, along with the reproductive organs, and improve sexual health and function.

  • L-Arginine: administration of L-arginine to oligospermic and asthenospermic patients results in an improvement in both the sperm count and motility without any specific side effects.

  • L-Citrulline: L-citrulline may be one of the most crucial nutrients for male fertility, including sperm and semen health and quality. Its mechanism of being transformed into L-arginine, which stimulates sex glands, with their secretions affecting and improving the quality of semen, including quantity, motility, and morphology of the sperm.

  • Pomegranate: pomegranate is a fruit with a rich source of antioxidants, particularly polyphenols, which have been shown to protect sperm from oxidative damage, which can actually improve sperm quality.

  • Saw Palmetto: saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a popular herbal supplement, particularly among men, as it supports prostate health and reduces symptoms of BPH. It also enhances sexual desire, improves erectile function, and increases sperm count and motility.

  • Rhodiola Rosea: rhodiola rosea is a plant that is usually found in cold, mountainous regions in Europe and Asia, also known as arctic root, golden root, roseroot, and king’s crown. Rhodiola rosea has been used in traditional Russian, Scandinavian, and European medicine to increase endurance, enhance work endurance, reduce fatigue, and improve the ability to withstand high altitudes.

Female sexual health and libido enhancement focuses on increasing the levels of estrogen and progesterone, increasing the levels of dopamine and serotonin, enhancing vaginal lubrication and sensitivity, stimulating estrogen receptors, and improving sexual desire and satisfaction. Supplements that improve male sexual health include:

  • Black Cohosh: black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) is a herbal supplement derived from a flowering plant, traditionally used to alleviate menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings. It also regulates estrogen levels in women of reproductive age.

  • Dong Quai: dong quai (Angelica sinensis) is a traditional Chinese herbal supplement, also known as "Female Ginseng," which enhances vaginal lubrication and improves menstrual regularity.

  • Red Clover: red clover (Trifolium pratense) is a herbal supplement rich in isoflavones, which improves estrogen balance and reduces menopausal symptoms.

  • D- Aspartate: this is an essential amino acid and needs to be taken through diet. D-aspartic acid directly affects neuroendocrine function in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain, causing the secretion of several hormones, including gonadotropin-releasing hormone, prolactin, luteinizing hormone, and growth hormone. hormone.

  • Ginseng: Korean red ginseng (KRG) extracts are known to improve sexual function in premenopausal women. Tribulus Terrestris: Tribulus in females has an influence on increasing sexual desire, arousal, and satisfaction, and increases endurance.

  • L-Arginine: enhances fertility. L-Arginine has been cited for its ability to improve blood flow to sexual organs, enhancing both arousal and overall sexual health.

  • Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 increases serotonin and dopamine levels in the body that play a significant role in the formation of sexual functions and the integrated functions of the central nervous system, such as mood and anxiety. It may be possible to use nutritional supplement therapy involving omega-3 to improve sexual function, improve mood swings during menstruation and pregnancy, and create hormonal balance.

  • Vitamin E: improves menstrual disorders effectively. Daily intake of Vitamin E helps in increasing blood flow to the various body parts. Thus, the thickness of the uterine lining is also increased, supporting reproductive function for women. It also helps in hormonal balancing, the amniotic sac thickens for proper fetal growth and protection, and avoids rupture of the amniotic sac, preventing the risk of miscarriage for mothers at high risk of miscarriage and effectively reducing the fibrosis of the breast in women.

Some general sexual health supplements that have been used for ages, but the actual scientific evidence of their significance is not yet fully known, are:

1. Natural aphrodisiacs

  • Ashwagandha: ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that grows in Asia and Africa. It is commonly used for stress. There is little evidence for its use as an "adaptogen." Adaptogens are believed to help the body resist physical and mental stress, which helps in maintaining hormonal balance.

  • Muira puama: muira puama is a bush that grows in the Amazon region. Muira puama is used as a supplement for sexual disorders, increasing libido, menstrual disorders, joint pain, and some other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

  • Damiana: damiana, which has been used in Traditional Mexican Medicine for centuries, is shown to reverse low sex drive in women 40 and above. It is shown to increased sexual desire, more orgasms, increased clitoral sensitivity and enhanced vaginal lubrication.

2. Vitamins and minerals

  • Vitamin D: vitamin D is also used to produce serotonin, a chemical messenger in the brain that promotes positive feelings. One study showed that supplementing with 1000 IU daily improved fatigue and depression in women with postpartum depression symptoms. It also leads to improved sexual desire and satisfaction.

  • Zinc: zinc is an antioxidant mineral known for its immune-boosting properties and its role in sperm development, but zinc levels have also been associated with concentrations of testosterone, the hormone that can increase sex drive for both people with eggs and people with sperm. In post-menopausal women with poor sexual function, supplementing with Zinc led to increased testosterone with significant improvements in sexual desire, arousal, sexual satisfaction, and vaginal lubrication.

  • Magnesium: magnesium may be one of the best vitamins for female sex drive enhancement. In addition to supporting testosterone and estrogen production, magnesium supplements can have relaxation properties. The calming effect of magnesium intake can increase the ability to orgasm in women.

  • Iron: iron is another crucial element for increasing your sexual desire. Low iron concentration in the blood causes anemic syndrome, which greatly affects the libido, leading to decreased lubrication, sexual excitement, and the capacity to have an orgasm. Iron is also important for women of reproductive age and parturient for a healthy sexual life.

3. Herbal blends

  • Yohimbine: yohimbe is a popular herbal supplement purported to help with erectile dysfunction and improve body composition, and aid weight loss.

  • Ginkgo biloba: ginkgo biloba extract can provide sexual benefits for men, such as increased sexual desire (libido) and satisfaction.

  • St. John's Wort: studies have indicated potential sexual dysfunction (SD) due to SJW, which includes reduced libido, delayed ejaculation, delayed orgasm, and erectile dysfunction.

  • Passionflower: a novel passion flower extract does not influence testosterone concentrations or subjective feelings in younger men but may have an influence on these outcomes in selected older men. Best results are seen in men with low baseline testosterone.

Both sexual health and libido are important aspects of a comfortable life that can’t be ignored by individuals or society. These topics are not much spoken about in real life, but maybe one of the reasons or causes of the physical, mental, or social disturbed state of an individual.