Exercises to Stimulate Your Sex Drive

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By Dr. Edward F. Group

Guest writer for Wake Up World

Sexual dysfunction is a problem that gets an enormous amount of attention. If you’ve been in front of a television for more than seven seconds, you’ve undoubtedly seen the advertisements from the many pharmaceutical companies who are constantly pushing their drugs on the ‘impotent’ public. Of course, these pills often come with side effects potentially worse than the original issue (look up “priapism”). Can anything be done to stimulate libido naturally? Yes! Sexual activity is physical activity, and the best way to get physical is to be physical and exercise!

1. General Exercise Improves Libido

The research is clear: get up and get moving if you want a strong libido. Exercise of any kind is the best way to ensure a healthy libido. Impotent men have been found to get the most benefit from their ED medication when they included exercise as part of their protocol. [1]

In one study of men who were receiving hormone suppression therapy as part of prostate cancer treatment, physically active participants reported enjoying sex more frequently compared with sedentary individuals. [2]  If exercise works for men suffering from sexual drawbacks coupled with cancer, imagine the power of exercise for healthy men!

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2. Physical Activity Enhances Female Response

Women suffering from depression and the awful side effects of antidepressants often experience a dramatic loss of sexual desire. Exercising before sexual stimulation increases a female’s experience and physical response to sex, according to recent research.[3]  One study sought to compare the effectiveness of either exercise or testosterone for increasing arousal in women. The result? Exercise offered the greatest response.[4]

3. Mental Exercises

Biology plays a huge role in sexual function, but the mental aspects of a healthy libido cannot be discounted! One study, involving 128 women and 98 men, was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of perceived sexual stimulation. The study used imagined social situations, unstructured fantasies, and erotic stories to stimulate arousal. Not surprisingly, all approaches increased arousal beyond the control. The unstructured fantasy appeared to be the most effective exercise.[5]

4. Breathing and Stretching

If you want greater sexual drive and satisfaction, then practice deep breathing and stretching. In one recent study, a group of 80 men were divided into a control group and an intervention group. The men who took part in 20 sessions of stretching and breathing exercises enjoyed greater sexual desire and response compared to those who didn’t.[6]

5. Pelvic Floor Exercises (Kegel Exercises)

Giving the pelvic muscles a workout is a powerful way to improve one’s sexual experience. Pelvic floor exercises, commonly called Kegel exercises, strengthen the muscles of the lower abdomen. These exercises are commonly used to help pregnant women develop the strength needed for delivering a baby. Pelvic exercises also help men who’ve had their prostate removed regain control of their muscles. Additionally, they can help both men and women improve control of the muscles used during sex.

Kegel exercises are simple exercises. They generally involve the contraction and relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles and the time requirements are light.[7]  While the best way to practice an exercise is under the guidance of a trained practitioner, a multitude of pelvic floor exercises can be found for free online.[8]

6. Take a Walk… in the Sun!

Getting out and absorbing sunlight can be one of the best ways to encourage the desire for sexual activity in both men and women.[9]  Sunlight improves alertness and increases energy production, mainly by stimulating vitamin D synthesis and neurotransmitter function. It’s even been determined that exercise, adequate dietary protein, and daily sunlight exposure is as effective as many medical interventions. These natural enhancers are especially beneficial for the elderly. [10]  If you find your motivation lacking, go outside, get some sun, then get some!

Bonus: The Power of Chocolate

Chewing doesn’t really qualify as exercise but as long as we’re on the subject of libido enhancement… An Italian study found that women who ate chocolate on a regular basis enjoyed higher sexual activity.[11]  Another reason to gift your lover some fine, organic, dark chocolate! However… while dark chocolate offers a potent serving of antioxidants and phytochemicals, the simple exercise of showing attention and thoughtfulness toward your partner may be most responsible for boosting libido.

What are your thoughts on increasing desire and satisfaction in the bedroom? What techniques, herbs, or exercises have you tried that work? Let us know in the comments!

-Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM

Article References:

  1. Maio G, Saraeb S, Marchiori A. Physical activity and PDE5 inhibitors in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: results of a randomized controlled study. J Sex Med. 2010 Jun;7(6):2201-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01783.x. Epub 2010 Mar 30.
  2. Cormie P, Newton RU, Taaffe DR, Spry N, Joseph D, Akhlil Hamid M, Galvà£o DA. Exercise maintains sexual activity in men undergoing androgen suppression for prostate cancer: a randomized controlled trial. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2013 Jun;16(2):170-5. doi: 10.1038/pcan.2012.52. Epub 2013 Jan 15.
  3. Lorenz TA, Meston CM. Acute exercise improves physical sexual arousal in women taking antidepressants. Ann Behav Med. 2012 Jun;43(3):352-61. doi: 10.1007/s12160-011-9338-1.
  4. Hamilton LD, Fogle EA, Meston CM. The roles of testosterone and alpha-amylase in exercise-induced sexual arousal in women. J Sex Med. 2008 Apr;5(4):845-53. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2007.00751.x. Epub 2008 Jan 21.
  5. Goldey KL, van Anders SM. Sexual arousal and desire: interrelations and responses to three modalities of sexual stimuli. J Sex Med. 2012 Sep;9(9):2315-29. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02845.x. Epub 2012 Jul 12.
  6. Bay R, Ismail SB, Zahiruddin WM, Arifin WN. Effect of combined psycho-physiological stretching and breathing therapy on sexual satisfaction. BMC Urol. 2013 Mar 25;13:16. doi: 10.1186/1471-2490-13-16.
  7. Bridgeman B, Roberts SG. The 4-3-2 method for Kegel exercises. Am J Mens Health. 2010 Mar;4(1):75-6. doi: 10.1177/1557988309331798. Epub 2009 Mar 16.
  8. Stephen K, Cumming GP. Searching for pelvic floor muscle exercises on YouTube: what individuals may find and where this might fit with health service programmes to promote continence. Menopause Int. 2012 Sep;18(3):110-5. doi: 10.1258/mi.2012.012007. Epub 2012 Jul 3.
  9. Kontula O, Và¤isà¤lठL. [How does summer affect sexual desire?]. Duodecim. 2013;129(13):1375-8.
  10. Morley JE. Scientific overview of hormone treatment used for rejuvenation. Fertil Steril. 2013 Jun;99(7):1807-13. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2013.04.009.
  11. Salonia A, Fabbri F, Zanni G, Scavini M, Fantini GV, Briganti A, Naspro R, Parazzini F, Gori E, Rigatti P, Montorsi F. Chocolate and women’s sexual health: An intriguing correlation. J Sex Med. 2006 May;3(3):476-82.

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About the author:

Dr. Edward F. Group III (DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM) founded Global Healing Center in 1998 and is currently the Chief Executive Officer. Heading up the research and development team, Dr. Group assumes a hands-on approach in producing new and advanced degenerative disease products and information.

Dr. Group has studied natural healing methods for over 20 years and now teaches individuals and practitioners all around the world. He no longer sees patients but solely concentrates on spreading the word of health and wellness to the global community. Under his leadership, Global Healing Center, Inc. has earned recognition as one of the largest alternative, natural and organic health resources on the internet.

For more information, please visit Global Healing Center.

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