Why is my libido low?
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Libido and iron deficiency

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You wouldn’t think your low libido is a reason to get your iron checked. Think again, sis.

True Agreed GIFfrom True GIFs

Iron deficiency and libido

Sexual dysfunction and dissatisfaction are highly complex, which have many factors that play a role in their development. It can be extremely frustrating for women trying to sift through the many reasons why they might not have the sex drive and sexual satisfaction they crave.

 

Getting rid of iron deficiency as one of these reasons could be what a woman needs to get her spark back.

 

Granted this isn’t a very well studied area of medicine, we do know a few important things:

 

Women, near and far, with ferritin levels <50 μg/L are less likely to enjoy intercourse or find their partner desirable as compared with women whose ferritin levels are ≥50 μg/L.


What?! Why?!

“Oh, sorry — evolution here…”

 

Having a baby can be especially dangerous with a tank on empty, via the increased risk of…

  • Bleeding
  • Heart & blood pressure troubles
  • Infection
  • Postpartum depression

 

So mechanisms evolved to reduce dopamine in the neurons of iron deficient women. Dopamine is our pleasure-seeking chemical, key to our sexual desire.

 

No sexytime, no baby, no added risk of death.


Buzzkill

Yep.

 

Iron deficiency is also associated with anxiety and depression. Chronically anxious or depressed people aren’t exactly in the mood, when they are dealing with their mental health. It doesn’t help that most medications to treat anxiety also wreak havoc on our libido.

 

You already know how we feel about oral iron (vs. IV), but even taking oral iron for 3 months can have dramatic impacts on our sexual health. As seen in this study the Female Sexual Function Index and specific measured outcomes clearly changed for the better.

If your sex life could use some ironing out, seriously consider getting your ferritin tested, and then bringing it and your libido up.

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